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Chapter Nine
AVERY
“Are you going to introduce us?” one of the older men asks, his eyes light brown like Seth’s. I look to Jay for guidance, and he holds out his hand for me. When I try to untangle myself from Seth, he holds my hand in a firm grip, walking me across the room, keeping me safe until he hands me over. Rubin moves to cover Jamieson’s father with a blanket. I knew these men were violent. They have a lethal grace about them. It was apparent the first day in Jay’s apartment, but what happened here just now, with those guards and Jay’s father, is testament to a whole world of depravity I had no idea existed. A world I’m marrying into.
I’m shaken to the core by what I have witnessed. I know these men are a hazard to my usually boring life. But I couldn't quit on Jay if I tried.
Killer or not, I love him and that alone should be enough to make me leave.
Eager to keep our connection, he manoeuvres me so I’m standing between his legs with my back flush to his chest and drops a kiss on top of my head.
“Gentlemen, this is Avery, my fiancée,” Jamieson states proudly as I thread my fingers with his.
“You know bringing her into the fold is an enormous risk?” The tallest of the older men wheezes, moving to sit in a chair, then waves at Barclay. “Son, fetch the brandy.” He’s out of breath. He’s old, his face wrinkled, and has age spots that highlight a tan that suggests he’s not long been away.
“Do I look like Agnes?” Barclay spits, rolling his eyes.
“Cute apron and spot of blusher, you could pull it off.” Ryan grins, moving to sit next to his father, Cyrus.
Jamieson dips his head to my ear.
“You okay?” I nod, despite my heart fluttering faster than a crazed bird in a cage. The same bird he is forever referring to me as. I want to make him proud, show him that I’m not the scared, vulnerable feathered animal he views me as.
“Not bringing her in would have been worse, Trevon,” Jay growls at Barclay’s father. Threat laces his voice and the old man quips his brow, not appreciating my fiancé’s tone.
My fiancé.
I’m crazy, I must be.
“So when is the wedding?” Seth’s father asks.
“Today,” Jamieson says, shocking me. I choke next to him.
“Today? What about my parents?” I know this isn’t normal by any standards, but I at least want my parents to be here. Any friends I have are merely acquaintances or the wives of business associates. I kept up appearances for Simon, eager to please and support him. I had faith in him and Jeff. Knew their business would set a solid foundation for our future. Or at least that's what he made me believe. Jeff’s death forced Simon to admit the business was struggling, and he led me to believe Jeff had sought financial help from an unsavoury source. Now, with that all gone, these men are all I have. I’d at least want Priya there. She’s possibly the only friend I trust.
“We’ll have another wedding, Avery. This needs to happen today.”
For The Panel.
It’s an unspoken instruction. Jamieson searches my gaze, looking for a sign of doubt. I get that he wants me safe and I suspect being married to him will do that, but his father is gone. Surely we can wait.
“Avery?” Jay shakes my hand, pulling my attention back to him.
Am I doubting this? Him?
I know once I broach it with my parents, their worry will make every choice I’ve decided over the past few weeks seem naïve and stupid. Everything I’ve ever done has been run past them or Simon, and it’s got me nowhere.
I’m a twenty-six-year-old without a career path.
A woman shadowed by the selfish choices of a weak man. Simon never believed in me, and I believed too much in him.
I want to flourish and grow, and I know Jamieson can do that for me. In the short time I’ve known him, he has given me more chances and opportunities than I ever had with Simon. I know a lot of that may be down to money and influence, but it’s the fact that he even thought to do it that has made my heart beat a new rhythm.
Something passed between us in the rain that night.
It triggered a depth of self-awareness in me that wasn’t there before. Lit a fire, and he makes it burn brighter.
I don’t doubt him. Jay takes what he wants with resolute calm. And I have nothing to offer him but myself. He wants me for purely selfish reasons, and I’m so fucking glad he does. But marriage is a huge deal.
