Broken Songbird (Vicious Games #2)

39. Chapter 39

T he slow organ music starts, and we all stand. Del and Enzo kept the guest list to this ceremony small—the Sakuras are present, as is Raphael, acting as Enzo’s best man, his parents, and myself, along with Michael— Marius— officiating.

He’s dressed in a simple black suit and tie instead of the full priest collar. This is his last ceremony as ‘Father Michael’ since he’s taken over for Lucas.

The church operation is being handed over to one of Dragone’s men, and Trojan apparently has taken a liking to the mezzanine area over the entrance behind the grand organ, so he’ll be setting up shop here as well.

We collectively turn to the entrance of the church, and my breath catches. Scarlett escorts Del arm-in-arm down the aisle, both looking incredible.

Del looks regal, in her light gold dress and her neck adorned in sparkling jewels, but my eyes almost immediately gravitate to her left, and…

Fuck.

Scarlett’s in a floor-length dress that fits her body to perfection, in a dark purple velvet that I can’t wait to feel. There’s a high split up her right thigh, showcasing smooth skin and the completed skull and songbird tattoo.

I’m still in awe she got my handwriting tattooed onto her skin. This is probably how it felt for her when she found out all those months ago that I have hers on my body. It’s my favourite piece on my skin.

Her shiny, honey-blonde hair is pulled away from her face, flowing down her back in soft waves, her make-up highlighting her perfection, and the teardrop diamond pendant that Enzo told me he was gifting to her glitters at the base of her neck on a platinum chain.

I’m beyond lucky to call her mine.

A videographer and photographer lead the women down the aisle as they beam the whole way down to the dais where Enzo—dressed in a sharp black suit, white shirt and a purple tie that matches both Del’s hair and Scar’s dress—stands tall with a small grin on his face and eyes only for his woman.

Scar unfurls her arm from Del as they reach the front. Scar steps up to Enzo, stretches up on her sky-high silver heels and kisses him on the cheek before putting Del’s hand in his, then moves to stand behind Del, mirroring Raph’s position behind Enzo.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Marius starts. “As you all probably know, I’m Marius, an authorised marriage celebrant with the privilege of welcoming you all here today to witness the marriage of Lorenzo Herrington and Delphine Evelyn Blaire. As this is a small ceremony, and by request of the couple, I’ve heavily modified the nuptials today, so we’re going straight into it.”

Marius recites some legal scripting, the photographer snaps away, and then Marius goes into the vows. As Del and Enzo repeat what Marius says to each other, my eyes drift to Scar.

She watches her best friend, her family, with watery eyes and so much love. I can’t wait until Del gets the opportunity to do the same for Scar. I make a mental note to ask Del later if she’s worked out Scar’s ring size yet so I can give it to the jeweller.

Raph stepping toward Enzo with an open rectangular ring box steals brings my attention back to the ceremony and I watch as Del and Enzo exchange wedding bands.

“In front of your closest friends and family,” Marius announces, “I have great pleasure in pronouncing you, Mr. and Mrs. Herrington. Enzo, you may now kiss your wife.”

The couple kiss and the group applauds. Marius then ask the couple, Scar, and Raph to follow him to the altar to sign paperwork and the photography crew follow them.

Claudine appears at my side with a teary smile. “That was the quickest ceremony I’ve ever been to, but it was so beautiful.”

I hum in agreement.

“And you and Scar?” she insinuates with an arch of her brow.

I grin.

“Jesus, Claudine,” Benjiro breathes. “You complained this wedding was too rushed, and now you’re trying to marry off our other daughter?”

“What?” she laughs. “I like Creed.”

“And you don’t like Enzo?” he asks.

She winces. “He’ll…grow on me.”

Benjiro rolls his eyes at his wife.

“I’m glad to know I’ll be the favourite in-law,” I say to Claudine conspiratorially.

She shushes me as she laughs, then grabs my arm. “Oh, also I have some news.”

“For me?” I ask, confused.

“Oh, yes.” She gives me a wickedly satisfied grin. “It seems Judge Vasek is taking extended leave.”

My brows rise. “Oh?”

“I know nothing about the circumstance,” she exaggerates. “But my assistant tells me that somehow his current wife found out about his philandering ways.”

I let out a long chuckle. “Oh, she just ‘found out’, did she?”

Claudine shrugs, her eyes shining with mischief.

“We have to meet the event coordinator at the reception,” Benjiro announces, wrapping his arm around his wife. “Let’s go, menace.”

I shake his hand and kiss Claudine on the cheek. She hands me the key to Scarlett’s car that she drove here and then the couple leaves with Mr. and Mrs. Dragone.

I turn back to the dais, seeing Marius signing a flurry of paperwork, check them and then nod his approval. The photographer wrangles the wedding party and Marius into a group photo, then has a brief discussion with Del and Enzo as Scarlett and Raphael walk toward me.

I curl my arm around Scar the moment she’s within reach, sucking in her jasmine and sea salt scent. I’m fucking addicted to this scent, this woman.

“You look spectacular,” I murmur into her ear.

“So do you,” she says, her hand sliding down the lapel of my black suit jacket.

“You all done here?” I ask, enjoying the feeling of her hip wrapped in soft velvet. I plan on doing a lot more touching in a lot more places before this night is over.

She turns back; the photographer’s team is gone, and Del and Enzo are talking with Marius. “I think so.”

We turn to follow Raph, who’s halfway down the aisle but stop at a throat clearing.

“Before you go,” Enzo says, drawing our attention. He faces Del with a smile. “I’d like to present Mrs. Herrington with her first wedding gift with all of you present.”

I shoot a look at Scar, but she looks just as confused as I feel. Why do we need to witness this?

My question is answered when I hear multiple pairs of footsteps. Satisfaction sears my veins as a bruised and battered Adrian shuffles forward from the alcoves with his hand secured behind his back.

What a glorious gift.

Then my heart stutters when the shadows reveal the impossible.