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I suspect I’ll have a lot to answer for when I get back to Chicago, because Snow isn’t the best at keeping information to herself, but that’s a problem I’ll have to deal with when I get to it.
She organized the church, the officiant, the rings, the paperwork, as well as a dress for Isla, before we even got off the phone.
Which left me with nothing to do other than buy a suit and show up.
I stand at the front of the church, the officiant beside me, and only a few people spread around the crowd. I recognize the Hayes family, including each of the four boys who were just teenagers when I left.
Isla’s best friend, Bree, is in the front row with her brother and his girlfriend. The only reason I know who they are at all is because I did some light recon last night, finding out everything I could about my bride-to-be, before sending off what I knew to Everett for a deeper dive. He’s worked for Frost Industries for as long as I have, and he’s the best fucking hacker in the country.
Before the week’s out, I’ll know every little dirty secret under Isla’s bed, so there won’t be any surprises.
Just because I don’t want a wife doesn’t mean I’m not going to do everything in my power to keep her safe, and to do that, I need to know everything.
Already, I know she has a penance for partying, something she won’t be continuing when we get back to Chicago. I’ve been down that road once and I have no intention of repeating history.
It would be hard to miss the loathing in their eyes as they talk among themselves, like I’m the one forcing Isla down the aisle. Not that I give a fuck what anyone in this room thinks of me. There’s a reason I left Boston in the first place, and I’ll be glad to be back in Chicago with people I can stand the sight of.
Soft music plays over the speakers, and I turn my attention to the doors at the other end of the aisle. A few seconds later, the double doors open, and walking toward me is Edward and the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen in my fucking life.
Dressed in a simple white satin gown, Isla takes cautious steps toward me. The elegant straps cross behind her neck and out of view, and her raven hair is in a messy ponytail with curls dropping around her face. The light makeup on her skin only seems to illuminate her amber eyes as they lock with mine.
I’m fucking speechless.
She takes a stuttering breath and looks around at the people gathered to see her married off to a man twice her age, and a small smile tugs up the corners of her lips before she realizes there’s someone missing.
Her own mother.
By the time they make it to the front of the church, Edward presses a kiss to his daughter’s cheek before turning to shake my hand.
This is fucking weird.
The guy was my best friend for more than half my life, and now he’s marrying his only child off to me? Even without adding the fact I was married to his sister, this whole situation is messed up.
I take Isla’s hand and guide her up the step until she’s standing in front of me.
Up close, I can see how tired she is. Why didn’t she get enough sleep last night? The dark circles beneath her eyes have been covered by makeup, but I can see them, and the urge to make sure she sleeps eats at me.
I shouldn’t fucking care.
No, scratch that.
I don’t care.
Her hands look tiny in mine, and I don’t miss the way she trembles when she looks up at me. Is she scared? Or is there something else going on in her pretty little head?
The officiant begins speaking, and I drone out every word he says. I want this done so I can get back to Chicago.
I hate this fucking city.
And I hate the people in it.
Jury’s still out on the spitfire in front of me. Time will only tell how much of a pain in the ass she’s going to be.
CHAPTER TEN
ISLA
I’m honest enough to admit that Doc looks hot as fuck in a suit.
