The Marine (Black Hawke Security #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

AIDAN

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I walk the perimeter of the outdoor area and check everything for the tenth or eleventh time. James stands near the entrance, armed like all our Black Hawke Security team members, and adjusts his earpiece.

His dark Ray-Ban sunglasses give him a Tom Cruise in Top Gun vibe and if I wasn’t so tense, I’d probably chuckle.

But I am.

Our team has just advised that Johnny Trevis is on his way into the premises.

“Heading to the entrance now,” James says.

“Moving into position B,” Marshall advises.

This has been so carefully choreographed you’d think it was the fucking halftime show at the Super Bowl.

“Play it cool, boys,” I say quietly into my comms. “This guy has been on the run for years, so he’s likely to be hyperaware.”

Or he’s got comfortable.

He has to have after marrying and holding down a job for the past eight years—at least that’s what our records show. Deep down, he’ll always be watching over his shoulder and wary around a team of men like mine.

“The eagle has landed,” James says, and I shake my head.

That’s not what we say.

Not even fucking close.

Marshall snorts.

Then I see her and my heart starts racing like a kid on his bicycle on a Saturday morning leaving the house to go play with his friends.

Fast.

Holy hell. Briar looks like an angel. A very sexy and beautiful angel. Her rose gold dress flutters in the breeze as she rushes to the entrance. I can’t keep my eyes off her bare neck and the way her dark curls bounce off her olive skin.

Mine.

Damn it. No. I thought I had worked this out in my head.

“Can I...please, can I get through? Kael! Here. Over here.” Briar waves out.

I can’t see him yet, but I know James and the rest of the team have eyes on him. I lean back against one of the pillars and slide a hand into the pocket of my Armani pants. As one of the best men, I’ll be at the front of the ceremony with both the bride and Briar in less than ten minutes.

The guests are already seated and Ryder, along with Josh, are standing up there in position.

I just had ants in my pants.

“Want us to frisk him?” James asks under his breath.

We brought our mobile metal detector with us, and he would’ve already been through that if he’s reached the courtyard.

So he won’t be armed.

“Nope,” I say. “No one is taking eyes off him from this point on.”

“Roger that.”

“Follow at a distance when they make their way into the seating area.” I tell him.

I glance over and he nods quickly. Just as Kael walks through the greenery covered archway...and takes Briar in his arms.

Fuck.

I push away from the pillar and grind my feet into the tiled floor.

His head dips and he kisses her with force as she lays a hand on his chest.

Motherfucker.

Get your hands off her.

“Easy,” Marshall says, and I glance over his way.

I hate that I had to be called out, but he was right to do it. I didn’t realize, but I’m standing with my legs parted, looking ready to rush the asshole.

I adjust my stance and rub the back of my neck. But I don’t look away as he places a hand on the small of her back and leads her toward the guests.

“Take over, Adams.” I tell Marshall, using his surname, knowing I have to fulfill my wedding duties now.

“All well,” he says, and I stride down the side of the seating area and move to stand next to Josh and Ryder.

“He here?” Josh asks, straightening his cuffs.

“Yup,”

He glances at me.

“Hands all fucking over her.” I grind.

“Do not fuck this up for me.” Ryder warns. “One more hour.”

“It’s fine.”

“It better be.” He shoots me a death glance.

I get it.

But he knows how this works. If anyone is in danger, we will move into action. His job is to protect his wife—soon-to-be wife—and I respect that.

Mine is to protect Briar.

The music starts and I spot her darting away. Kael reaches out and grabs her arm. She falters and spins her head around, fear lining her face.

Goddamn asshole.

I hope he does something really stupid so I can kill him.

“Stop. You can’t kill her father and her husband,” Josh mutters.

I mean...I can.

“Fake husband. And I didn’t kill her goddamn father.” I grunt, hiding my words under a cough.

“I’ll kill you both if you do not shut it.” Ryder shuffles on his feet.

I smile.

He’s right. We need to focus on making this a special moment for him and not about Briar’s soon-to-be non-husband.

I glance ahead and silently curse. The woman I love is walking toward me, holding a bouquet. I thought I wanted to marry her before, but the sudden overwhelming image of her in a big white dress coming to say I do hits me like a ton of bricks.

And reminds me that she never will.

Briar takes her time meeting my gaze while I can’t rip mine away from hers. The emotions sparking between us almost take my breath away.

Then she narrows her eyes.

A warning.

A reminder.

I’m not hers and she doesn’t want her husband to know about us.

Another shard of my heart shatters as I look away.