The Marine (Black Hawke Security #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

brIAR

––––––––

“I ’m marrying the most wonderful man in the entire world today!” Savannah leaps up and throws her arms around me as I walk through the door.

“I’m so happy for you.” I giggle, pushing away the raft of emotions that ambushed me the moment I walked away from Aidan downstairs.

Who am I kidding? It started last night and...more lies...it started ten years ago.

It’s so complicated.

I can’t tell Aidan I’m divorcing Kael. If I did, he’d think we could live happily ever after.

An impossible dream.

Surely he knows that.

I’d have to give up my mother. There’s nothing happy about that. I love my mom. For all her faults and ignorance.

She’s my mom. I can’t just disrespect her. Not after what she did for me.

He restrained himself and took his...needs out on me. I protected you, Briar.

I do understand that Mom was unfair to Aidan, and that there was no scientific evidence for her accusations. But what’s done is done.

She believes what she believes and is adamant he killed Dad. I don’t see that changing.

And therefore, I am stuck in this loop of loving a man I can never be with or walking away from my mother.

I don’t understand how she can still love Dad, even now he’s six feet under.

I loved Kael—at least I thought I did.

When he started hurting me, that love started to wane. Day by day, he punched it out of me. Now? Now I mostly feel fear. And anxiety every time I think about pushing forward with the divorce and how he will react.

I feel sad and disappointed that my dreams of a happy marriage were shattered. Relief that we hadn’t had children yet and they aren’t caught in the middle of this separation.

Or worse, suffering from abuse like I lived through.

Not that I would have stood back like my mom did and allowed it.

You say that, but you let him hurt you.

And I feel trepidation that I’ve become involved with Aidan again and my feelings, which I packed away safely, have unearthed. Damn him for being so perfect.

Making love to him is the most sensual and magical experience. But it’s the little things he does. Kissing my shoulder as he walks past. Making my coffee the way he knows I like it.

Buttering my toast and cutting it diagonally. Only monsters cut it the other way. Aidan pays attention.

He has a power about him that Kael demands but doesn’t have. A dominance that makes me shiver in anticipation of his touch.

The way he watches me.

The slow quiet flame in his gaze which promises a pleasure he will absolutely deliver on. His large strong hands spreading my legs, palming my stomach, and pulling me closer to his talented tongue.

His thick fat cock which fills my core completely.

As I sat across from him this morning munching on my toast, I watched him eating his omelet and wondered what our children would look like.

What kind of dad would he be?

Strict? Definitely. Protective? God, yes.

Loving? Without a doubt.

Aidan would never leave me. Never raise a hand or threaten me. He would love me forever. He would consume me with his love.

I think that’s what scares me more than anything.

I don’t know if I can love him the way he loves me. So perfectly.

“What time are we getting our makeup done?” I ask, hanging up my dress.

“In an hour,” Savannah says.

“Any sign of the media?”

“None,” she replies, walking over to the mirror and sitting down to face me. “I hope no one leaks it. I really want this day to be private.”

“I’m sure it will be a lovely, quiet day, full of love and laughter.” I smile.

“Bitches we are here!” Scarlet announces as she and Cassy burst through the door with bottles of champagne.

Pop!

––––––––

I MESSAGE KAEL one more time as I sit having my hair curled. It’s the third message I’ve sent in two hours, and he still hasn’t replied. I’m starting to think he isn’t going to attend the wedding.

Oh dear, how sad.

Truly, if he doesn’t want to come, I don’t care in the slightest, but it’s not like him to ignore me. I was expecting him to be sending me instructions and demands all day.

Nothing.

Not a single message.

I open up a couple of social media apps and see if he’s posted. If he’s met someone and spent the night with her, I’m buying a lottery ticket.

Nothing.

I glance up and bite my bottom lip. Something isn’t right.

Quiet Kael is a scary Kael.

“Tip your head over and I’ll give it a blast with the hairspray.” The hairdresser tells me.

I follow instruction and hold my breath, then flick my hair back.

“Okay so do we want big curls, or do you still want me to pin it up?”

I glance at my phone again. I could be worrying about nothing. If Kael doesn’t show up, then good.

“Savannah do you have a preference?” I ask, focusing on the wedding. I glance over at the blushing bride, who is having her eyes done. She already looks like the gorgeous movie star she is.

“Whatever makes you feel beautiful, honey.” She smiles at me.

I love that she asked me to be her bridesmaid. It’s a huge honor. I’m going to make sure everything runs smoothly, and she has the most wonderful day.

I turn back to the mirror.

Kael's unresponsiveness gives me hope.

“Let’s do the loose pinup photo you showed me.” I grin and sit back in the chair. “Then I’ll go make sure the guys are on track.”

And hopefully Kael will move on with his life.

I feel almost giddy.

“T minus thirty minutes, ladies.” Cassy says, sliding a plate of light nibbles in front of Savannah. “Eat something or you will fade.”

“I can’t. I have a thousand butterflies—or they might be pigeons—dancing around in my tummy.”

Cassy nudges the plate.

“And a baby. It’s a long day. Trust me. You need to eat.”

“She’s right Sav,” I say, “You’ve hardly eaten.”

“Ryder made me have breakfast this morning.” She insists.

“Let me guess. A smoothie,” Scarlett says. “That was five hours ago. Don’t make us force feed you.”

Savannah snickers and picks up one of the little sandwiches.

“All done.” The makeup artist says. “Here’s the gloss to top up once you have eaten.”

Ten minutes later, the four of us are on our own, standing behind Savannah as she stares into the huge mirror.

Her gown is beyond stunning. The white dress is totally Savannah Sinclair. The white silk sleeves sit on her shoulder, the bodice tucks tightly at her waist and then bursts into a huge princess skirt covered in the finest lace and pearls.

On her hands are little white gloves and she is wearing a diamond and pearl necklace.

A train falls from her tightly twisted French bun and blends into the back of her dress, almost vanishing before it hits the floor.

It’s designer, of course.

Made to fit every inch of her famous figure.

“I think I’m going to cry,” Scarlett sniffs.

“You didn’t even cry at my wedding.” Cassy slaps at her with a laugh.

“I know but...but she looks like a real-life princess. I can’t stand it.”

I wipe away my own tear and meet Savannah’s eyes in the mirror. I can’t imagine how she is feeling right now, not having her mom and sister here.

“You okay?”

She nods. Too fast. Then she picks up her skirt.

“Yes. Fine. It’s fine. No point in dwelling. I’m blessed to have you three here with me. Thank you.”

Oh god, I know my life isn’t perfect, but I hate how she’s been so betrayed by those she should trust in her life. She does have us, though, and we have a little surprise or two for her.

“Wait,” I say. “We got you something. It’s not much, but we hope you like it.”

What do you buy the multi-million-dollar-earning actress that has everything?

And I mean everything.

Savannah has boxes turning up every day with dresses and jewels and skincare and...everything. Brands hoping to be endorsed.

Anything she doesn’t have, she could buy.

But Cassy, Scarlett, and I got together—even though I’m the only bridesmaid—and got her a couple of things.

“Oh, girls, you didn’t need to do that,” Savannah says, taking the small white gift bag.

“We wanted to. Open it. Pretend you like it even if you don’t.” Cassy winks as Savannah pulls the tissue paper out and lifts the pin.

“Oh.” She sighs.

“Let us explain.” I smile, stepping closer and touching one of the charms hanging from it.

“The little blue sapphire is your something blue.”

“The three hearts on this charm signify our friendships and your something new.”

“And,” Cassy says, “this little coin is from Ryder’s grandma. She saved it from the war, when she was a little girl. It’s your something old.”

Savannah gasps, and I’m fighting my tears and mascara. “You did this for me?”

Man.

She breaks my heart.

She’s been treated so poorly by her family and friends in the past. It disgusts me. For a moment, I understand how Aidan feels watching me.

“We did.” I gently hug her. “Let me help you pin it on the inside of your dress.”

I smile at Cassy and Scarlett, who are wiping back tears.

“Swear to god if I ever lay my hands on your mom and sister I will rip them a new one,” Scarlett says. “We’ve got your back now, babe. Now let’s get you down that aisle to marry your handsome man.”

My phone pings and I race over to the cabinet and pick it up.

Hey babe. I’m at the gate. Meet me.

Kael.

Finally. Although I’m slightly disappointed, I’m also relieved. His silence had been weighing heavily on me.

Our final date.

Then I can move on with my life.