Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 122074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“Has Molly had time to look over those pictures from Octavia?”
“She started. I brought them in case she had time later. They’re in my office.”
“But she’s not recognized the woman?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. She will, though.”
He cleared his throat. “Thanks again for letting us do it here. I mean it. I’m aware that this was your safe place if there was a world apocalypse.”
I paused, remembering how happy Jess had been, how Molly was trying to “fix” the group. I shrugged. “It’s the least I can do for you guys.”
“Tell the truth. You’re already scouting locations for a new compound, aren’t you?”
I shot him a grin, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders. “Maybe.”
He barked out a laugh before moving closer to the mirror to brush off any remaining lint on his shoulder. “Demetri told me how Sloane looked when he told her she needed to be blindfolded in order to come to my wedding.”
“Jess got tight with her and the doc? Nea Sandquist.”
He nodded. “With Jess’s mom’s health, both of them have been there for her. Molly likes Sloane too.”
Trace had been waiting for the perfect time. He’d had the ring for months, but somehow it seemed fitting that Jess was the one who proposed. Now everyone was at my family’s compound. Trace. Me. Demetri and Pajn were ushers. The other guests included Marco, who was Remmi’s date. Molly. Pialto and Sophie. Jess’s mother. There’d been a question if her old partner should come, but it was decided a more intimate dinner with Val and Officer Reyo would be more appropriate.
“Nea apologized for what she said to the cops, took it back, said she was scared.”
“As long as Jess didn’t hold a grudge.”
“Old Jess, maybe. New Jess.” Trace gave me a look. “What Molly did the other day, having us talk about what you did to her, that went a long way with her.”
I nodded, starting to move back.
“Ashton.” His voice was serious.
I glanced back, pausing.
His gaze was serious too. “What we said was true, that you’ve laid the groundwork for the group to move forward, but that wasn’t what had the most effect with Jess. It was you, seeing how you would’ve reacted if I’d done the same to Molly. She saw it then, how much you regretted it. She told me that was the first time she really felt like there was healing happening.” His voice grew thick. “Meant a lot to me, brother. I know you blame yourself for Justin even meeting Kelly.”
I went still, just holding still. I’d only said those words to Molly.
“I know you. Known you all my life, so I know you’d never say the words. I still know that you blame yourself, and you need to let that go. Justin met Kelly. It is what it is. You blame yourself. Jess blamed herself, because if it wasn’t for her, Kelly would never have gotten a job at Katya. You both blame yourselves, but Jess is starting to let that go. I need you to let yourself off the hook. It’s time. I’m getting married today. Make it a wedding gift to me.”
I gave him a look. “The compound is your wedding gift.”
He grinned. “You know what I mean. You have a good woman. I don’t understand the history between you two, but thinking I’m not meant to. What I do know is that she’s changed you for the better. It’s time to let some happy in.”
I swore. “You’re not supposed to make me cry before your wedding.”
He laughed. “Minute I see her walk down that aisle, I’ll start bawling. You’ll love it. Now, fix this thing so we can go back to being tough mafiosos.”
I fixed his tie, then asked one last time, “Ready to get hitched?”
“Since her? Been ready.”
Right. My brother and best friend was all grown up now. I reached up, cupping the back of his neck, and moved in. Forehead to forehead. “Love you man. Be happy.”
He reached up and clapped my shoulder. “You too.”
I loved him. He loved me. Nicolai hadn’t broken us: just the opposite.
“You got the ring, right?”
I patted my front pocket. “It’s secure.”
“Good. Let’s get married.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
MOLLY
My stomach fuzzies were on drugs. I could barely stand still, but Jess, total cool. All cool. She was the definition of cool. We were in a back room in one of the towers, and I kept moving the flowers around. Dress was perfect. Hair was perfect. Makeup was on point. Shoes were on. So, flowers. They needed to move from the left. That wasn’t right. To the right.
Back to the left.
No. They looked better in the front—“Stop, my beautiful sunshiny boss and soul sister.” Sophie moved in, taking the flowers from me and putting them on a counter.
I sucked in my breath. “That’s a perfect location for them.”