Chapter 50

Up went Nate's hands. "I didn't say a thing."

Would this day never end? "Are you nervous?" Nakos side-glanced the groom, wishing the dude had at least a bead of perspiration from anxiety. But no. A pillar, this one.

"Hell no. I can't wait."

Figured, not that Nakos could blame him.

They assumed their positions based on the pithy rehearsal the day before and waited for the music to start. If anyone thought having the nuptials right outside the wrought iron gate of the Cattenach's private cemetery was odd, they didn't know the family very well. Olivia's parents, along with three generations of relatives before, were buried there. As was Justin, someone who had meant the world to both the bride and groom. It was only fitting they'd want to be closer to him on their day, if merely to have his spirit nearby.

Situated off to the right, Meadowlark's high school band began to play, notes from guitar strings and flutes floating on the breeze. Moments later, Amy stepped into view at the base of the grassy aisle and paused.

Damn, but Nakos's airway seized. An occurrence that had been happening for a few months now in her presence.

He couldn't wrap his head around his body's reaction. He'd met Amy the day he'd been introduced to Olivia, and the three of them had been nearly inseparable. He knew her pretty oval face, long cocoa locks, and blue-green eyes that reminded him of a mermaid as well as he knew his own reflection. Lately, it was as if looking at her was like seeing her for the first time. Attraction and appreciation that had never been present before wrapped around his throat and squeezed.

Actually, if he were being honest, he could pinpoint exactly when the phenomena began. Three months ago, almost to the day.

Finding Amy mottled with bruises and bleeding on the dirt floor of the barncourtesy of her ex-husband, who Nakos referred to as the Antichristhad reset some kind of circuit in his brain. He'd always been quick on his feet and able to control his temper. But that day? He'd been this close to a homicide charge and wearing an orange jumpsuit for twenty-five to life.

For whatever reason, Amy made him a little nervous. Had since they'd been kids. Before she'd wed the douchebag, she'd been a badass, take-no-prisoners woman. She didn't just chew men up for breakfast and spit them out. Oh, no. She'd had them for lunch and dinner, too. Nothing and no one scared her. She took life by the hornsor ballsand gave it her all.

Ergo, the way she'd clung to him the day of the assault after he'd carried her to the guestroom was like a horror movie reel on a continuous loop. He hadn't known whether to weep or pull her in his arms. And he'd been so frightened about internal bleeding or unseen injuries he had to make himself leave her side so Doc Hank could examine her. He'd spent hours outside that room in case Amy had called for help. Gutted from the inside out and crawling out of his skin.

Nakos hadn't seen a genuine smile pass her lush red lips in he couldn't remember how long. The realization had his stomach aching as she stepped forward and slowly made her way toward them.

That dress was designed to be a kill switch for rational thought. Blue as the cobalt sky and strapless, it hugged her generous breasts and narrow waist, flaring to a stop just above her knees. Amy Tarcherno, Amy Woods since she'd gone back to her maiden namehad toned legs that went on for decades. Her hair was up in a girly complicated knot of curls, exposing her regal neck as she carried white lilies. Her skin was like porcelain, and there was a lot of it exposed. Silver dangly earrings matched her shoes and reflected in the sunlight.

God save him, those heels. Strappy and high enough to maybe bring her within an inch of his chin. If she ever made it to the altar. Time seemed to have paused to a drugging slow-motion in his head.

Nate grunted and leaned close to whisper out of the side of his mouth. "My bad. Guess you really are okay. You might want to start breathing, though, before you pass out."

Nakos slanted him an eat-shit glare. "What is this? You're getting hitched, so now everyone else needs to be bursting with fruit flavor in love, too?"

The jackass chuckled. "I'm not the one who looks like he just got a high-five to the face with a brick..." He expelled a wheeze and went still, eyes on the aisle. "Holy shit," he breathed.

Glancing in the same direction, Nakos suddenly understood the expletive.

And here came twenty-one years of his life in a bridal gown. Lovely as ever, Olivia's auburn hair was loose around her shoulders and her cornflower eyes were smiling. The simple dress matched Amy's, except it went to her ankles and was ivory-colored. Simple elegance.

Her aunt Mae, being Olivia's only remaining blood relative, walked her down the aisle wearing a peach suit, the soft white strands of her bob ruffling in the slight breeze. Pride and happiness gleaned in her wet eyes.

When they finally made it to the lattice arch, Olivia kissed Mae, hugged Amy, then took Nakos's hands and rose on her toes to speak into his ear. "Thank you for standing with me all these years and beside Nate now. It means so much to both of us." She kissed his cheek, causing her rain-like scent to swirl around him. "I love you."

He closed his eyes and drew a calming breath. Damn her. "Love you, too, little red." The nickname he'd given her at age nine. His stomach was in a riot and his sinuses burned. After a beat, he took her hands and set them in Nate's, clasping both sets before letting go.

And that's just what he did. He let go. Of her. The past. Everything. She had all she needed right beside her, and that was all he'd ever wanted for her. From this point on, it was sight ahead, future bound.

Which, as he turned his head, jarringly began with mermaid eyes locked on him from the other side of the altar. Amy studied him with a mix of understanding and something he couldn't name. Longing?

No. Couldn't be. Maybe she was feeling melancholy after her recent divorce. Weddings could do that...make people lonely.

Nevertheless, she held him captive for several moments, and the longer they stared, the more his heart kicked rhythm. A tingle of...awareness zipped up his spine, confusing the ever-living hell out of him.

Rip had to ask twice for the rings before Nakos heard him, and when he glanced back at Amy, she'd focused on the ceremony.

Leveled, he did the same.