Page 27 of Fractured
They are both leaning back on the arms of the couch, feet tucked up, a glass of wine in their hand. They are facing each other, talking, sipping wine. Every once in a while, Isabella laughs. I’ve never seen her laugh before. I zoom in on her face.
She’s stunning. How did I miss how pretty she is?
Her open smile shows her teeth, and her bright green eyes sparkle with life. Those pouty lips are spread in a huge smile as she tosses her head back, laughing harder at Anna. Even the crinkles at the corners of her eyes make her look like the happy twenty-three-year-old she’s supposed to be. I’ve never seen her look like that in my presence, ever.
I rub my chest again; the bitterness growing as I watch them. She will never behave in that manner with me. She meant it when she said she wasn’t happy to see me.
I don’t think she hates me, or maybe she does, but it’s more complicated than that. She is vacant of emotions when she looks at me like I’m just a body and not a person.
The bottle of wine is gone now, and they look tipsy. I hope she is not hung over tomorrow. The last thing I need is for her to throw up in the church. They hug as they walk over to the bed, and climb in together like two teenagers having a sleepover, as Isabella turns out the lights and the room goes dark.
I click off my phone and plug it in, tossing it on the nightstand, and shoving my hands behind my head to look out at the skyline twinkling in the dark.
You're mine tomorrow, little bunny, all mine.
Present day
The sun streaming in through the window blinds me as my eyes try to adjust to the bright light. I forgot to close the curtains last night. Moaning, I rub my hands over my face and roll over away from the intense sunlight. I glance over at the bathroom door. My tux is hanging there inside my garment bag. A smile spreads over my face.
Today is the day I make her mine.
She might not want to, from what I witnessed last night, but too bad. I’m making her mine in every way today; I’m finally going to have authority over that rebellious runaway. I’m tired of fighting and failing with her. This afternoon she won’t have a chance to get too far. She’ll be by my side, and when she’s not, I’ll have my cameras and Sasha on her ass.
Rolling out of bed and padding over to the garment bag. I open the zipper, stroke the fine silk, and chuckle. Your mine today bunny.
I shower and shave, get back into my t-shirt and joggers, andhead out to the living room. Carlos is awake, sitting at the table eating breakfast, and reading the newspaper.
“Morning, sleep well?” I ask him as I sit down and pour myself a coffee.
“Good and you? Did you get any sleep?”
I just nod and look out over the city. “I slept just fine.”
I smile over the rim of my coffee cup.
I’ll be sleeping even better tonight once my cock gets what he’s been after for nearly two weeks. I reach down and adjust my growing hard-on.Soon, boy!
Carlos chuckles. “I’m guessing you’re ready for today, or should I say tonight?”
“What’s to be ready for? I’m always ready.” I give him a smirk and take a plate, filling it with scrambled eggs and sausages.
Christopher joins us, and we eat, cracking jokes and settling in to drink our coffee. It’s an enjoyable morning, not one chest pain.
Sebastian arrives around eleven o’clock, and we all settle into the living room to watch a football game until it’s time to get dressed. Christopher orders us lunch, and we gorge ourselves on burgers and fries while downing a couple of beers.
In a way, this is my bachelor party, because I opened my big mouth not thinking about how close everything would be with the New York trip and the wedding day, but whatever, it’s perfect if you ask me.
It’s time to get dressed and we all head off to our rooms. I take the tux off the door and lay on the bed. I take out the shirt and lay it down. That tight feeling invades my chest again and I rub my sternum in small circles. She was crying last night, not a good sign of a happy bride by any means, but I want to make the best of this for the both of us if I can.
Taking the suit with me to the bathroom, I hang it up, strip out of my clothes and jump in the shower. I try to stop my thoughts about Isabella and the upcoming day by doing my usual morning routine.
I get dressed and look at myself in the mirror tugging on my cuffs and turning to look at my back. It's the best I’m going to get, so I head out to the living room.
A huge grin breaks out on my face when I enter the room full of men. Christopher and Sebastian, in their tuxes, and Danny and Carlos, dressed in their black Armani suits. This group of men is my pack, my family of brothers. Some were born, the others have been chosen and I couldn't be more proud to have them with me today.
I whistle, “Holy shit, we cleaned up nice boys!” I slap Carlos on the back.
Sebastian comes over and pins a cream and peach rose boutonnière on my lapel.
