Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 118333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
She fucking loved me.
She was marrying me.
Luis cleared his throat. He held a Bible in his hand. “I never thought we’d be here today.” He spoke in English, clearly for my sake. Luis shook his head. “When you fell in love, I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it.” Luis looked at me, then Adelita. “The White Prince and the cartel princess. It made no sense. Two people, who were never meant to be, found in the other their soulmate. The half of their heart that had yet to be claimed.”
Luis’s eyes watered as they landed on Lita. “I have married many people. Yet I don’t think I have ever rejoiced in a union more than this . . . more than yours.” He cleared his throat again. “You deserve one another. You’ve fought harder than anyone I have ever met. God will reward that. Has rewarded that. Right here, right now, is your reward.”
I squeezed Adelita’s hand. It was shaking. But I knew it wasn’t from nerves. It was from happiness . . . because I was feeling it too.
Luis read from the Bible. I didn’t hear it. Just stared at Adelita. She had no makeup on. She always wore makeup. But she was perfect without it. Even with bruises and cuts and wounds, she was the most beautiful bitch I’d ever seen.
“And now your vows.”
I faced Adelita and took hold of both her hands. “Lita . . .” I rasped, my heart echoing in my chest. “I’m not good with words.” I shook my head, not knowing what the fuck to say. Adelita squeezed my hands. I looked into her eyes. She nodded her encouragement, silently telling me to try. So I fucking tried. “You changed me, baby,” I said. “Everything. The minute I met you, you changed everything for me. I never knew anyone who was kind. You showed me that. I never knew anyone who was loyal. You showed me that too.” I took a deep breath. “I never knew anyone who fought so hard when they loved someone.” I dropped my forehead against Adelita’s. “You gave me a home, princess. You gave me a family when I barely knew what that was. And after this, I’m never leaving your side again. Not until I’m dead . . . and even then, I’ll take on Hades himself to get back to you.”
Tears poured down Adelita’s cheeks. I wanted to wipe them away, but she held on tightly to my hands. “Tanner . . .” she whispered and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath. “I love you. I love you more than I ever dreamed I could love another person.” Adelita smiled. “You challenged me when we first met. You challenge me still. But when I first met you . . . I felt something in my soul shift. I didn’t know what that shift was. I believed it to be hatred. But the more I got to know you . . . when I saw the cracks appear in the heavy armor you wear like a shield, I realized it was more.” Adelita’s thumb ran over the back of my hand. She met my eyes. “My heart was kindling. You were the naked flame that caused it to ignite.” I swallowed at her words. “I’ll never leave you again. I’ll never walk in this life without you by my side. I’ll follow you anywhere you go. My hand in yours.” Her head bowed. “You claim I fought hard for us. But Tanner, you fought harder. So much harder.” She lifted her eyes. “Without you, we wouldn’t be here right now.” She laughed through her tears. “Free, mi amor. Free and able to love without punishment. Our dream come true.”
I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to take her mouth right then. But Luis handed me a ring before I could. It was just a plain gold band. “Repeat after me,” Luis said.
“I, Tanner Ayers, take Adela Quintana to be my lawfully wedded wife.” I repeated all of what Luis instructed, and then slid Adelita’s ring on her finger. I couldn’t look away. She was mine. That ring on her finger told the world she was mine.
“Adelita, repeat after me.” Luis guided Adelita through the words, then she slid the ring onto my finger.
I didn’t look away from that fucking ring, until Luis said, “And by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” I took in a long breath. Then I released Adelita’s hands. Cupping her cheeks, careful that I didn’t hurt her bruises, I kissed her.
When I pulled back, I pressed my forehead to hers and just breathed. There was no sound but the candle wicks burning. Only silence . . . until the deafening sound of a gunshot thundered around the chapel. Adelita’s body suddenly tensed and her eyes widened. I staggered back when she went limp in my arms, her lips parting like she was struggling to breathe. I didn’t even get a chance to turn around, to see who was there, when another shot rang out. Red-hot pain immediately shot through my side. Trying to keep hold of Adelita, I slumped to the ground, taking her with me, when my legs gave out. Another shot fired, and Father Reyes hit the floor. Another shot; the priest-in-training dropped. I managed to look up and saw Diego Medina. His eyes were bloodshot, and he had his gun aimed back at Adelita.