Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
We get to work, and it takes two hours to get the curls right and pinned up. I take my time applying my makeup while Aunt Marina gets dressed in a light blue dress.
When she’s ready, she pours us each a glass of juice.
“Drink some, agápi mou. You need the sugar.”
“You look beautiful,” I compliment her before taking a few sips.
“Thank you.”
I continue with my makeup until I’m pleased with the result.
“Perfection,” Aunt Marina says, her voice trembling with emotion.
“If you cry, I’m going to cry,” I warn her.
She sucks in deep breaths and waves her hand in front of her face. “Okay. No crying.” Then she looks at the time and almost has a heart attack. “You’re going to be late.”
“I still have thirty minutes,” I chuckle as I get up from the stool by the vanity.
We take the wedding dress off the hanger and Aunt Marina holds it ready for me. I’m relieved when she glances away so I can take off my robe because I’m wearing white lace lingerie.
I step into the dress and pull the fabric up, then say, “You can look.”
While I push my arms through the sleeves, my aunt takes care of the buttons at my back. I adjust the sleeves that hang off my shoulders before brushing my palms over my stomach.
I hear a sob behind me, and instantly, my eyes start to burn with unshed tears. “Aunt Marina!”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. You look so beautiful.”
Closing my eyes, I suck in deep breaths until the urge to cry passes.
She moves around me, and when she sees me from the front, she covers her mouth with both her hands. “Cassia. Theé mou.”
I walk to the full-length mirror, and when I see my reflection, my throat strains.
“Your mother would be so proud,” my aunt murmurs.
God, I wish my mother and sisters were here.
My chest shudders, and I lose the battle. A tear escapes, and I hurry to the vanity to grab a tissue. Tipping my head back, I blink like crazy while gently patting the tear away.
I clear my throat then check my makeup. Thankfully, nothing’s ruined.
“I’m ready. Let’s go before I burst out in tears.”
“I’ll tell Santiago you’re on your way.”
As she hurries out of the suite, I place my hand over my stomach, that’s spinning with a mixture of excitement and nerves.
I’m about to marry the most incredible man.
KNIGHT
As I stand up front, I look at where Davies, Miller, and Saunders are sitting on my side of the aisle.
There are two reserved seats beside them, which I assume are for Santiago.
I adjust my bowtie and clear my throat. Every muscle in my body is wound tight because every time I attempted to check on Cassia while she was getting ready, Santiago stopped me.
I just want her to walk down the aisle, already.
Santiago comes up the aisle, and turning to face all the guests, he says, “When the bride walks down the aisle, everyone remains seated.”
After he sits down beside Davies, I ask, “Who’s the extra chair for?”
“It’s for Ronnie.”
Fuck.
I stare at the empty space, and instead of flashbacks, I only feel a deep sadness.
I gesture at the row of empty seats on Cassia’s side. “For her family?”
He nods. “And for Marina.”
The second rows are filled with Leo, Enzo, and Dominik and Grace. The rest of the guests are a mixture of everyone’s guards.”
When Marina comes hurrying up the aisle, I take it as a good sign. Cassia must be on her way.
She takes a seat and tells Santiago, “You can start the music.”
He waves a hand in the air, and soon, a song starts playing. It’s not the usual wedding march, and I listen to the words while my eyes are glued to the villa.
As the first chorus starts, Cassia appears, looking like an absolute vision.
“Holy fuck,” I whisper.
She walks slowly, giving the song time to play, and the words hit me square in the chest.
It feels like the words are straight from her heart to mine.
I’m always on your side too, baby.
She comes down the aisle looking every bit the goddess she is, and when the song slows down, I move to meet her in the middle.
I hold my arm for Cassia to take, and as she places hers in the crook of my arm, I walk with her to where the wedding officiator is waiting.
We turn to face each other, and when a tear spirals down her cheek, I reach for her face and gently brush it away.
“You look…” I shake my head. “I have no words.”
“Stunning,” Davies mutters. “Gorgeous. Beautiful. Take your pick.”
Everyone chuckles, and I shoot my friend a glare.
Giving Cassia my full attention, I say, “At first, I couldn’t explain why, but I just knew I had to stay by your side. Little did I know it was because my soul recognized its other half.”