Chapter 262
Raven
The Beverly Hills boutique gleamed like something out of a fever dream—all white marble, gold fixtures, and champagne fountains that probably cost more than most people's cars. Nash had rented the entire top floor for the evening, which meant no prying eyes, no interruptions, and absolutely no escape from what was about to become the most surreal shopping experience of my life.
I stood in the center of the pristine space, watching Maya bounce on her toes like an excited puppy while Scarlet examined the security cameras with the cold precision of someone mentally mapping exit routes.
Classic.
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!" Maya's voice climbed an octave with each repetition as she spun in a circle, taking in the racks of designer wedding gowns that lined the walls. "Raven, this place is insane! Do you know how much it costs just to look at these dresses?"
I shrugged, adjusting the weight of Satan's Heart beneath my shirt. "Nash handles the bills."
"Nash handles—" Maya stopped mid-spin, her eyes widening as the full reality hit her. "Your fiancé just casually rented out the most exclusive bridal boutique in California on a Wednesday night. Raven, do you have any idea how rich this man is?"
Scarlet glanced up from her inspection of the sprinkler system and let out a low laugh. "Maya, sweetie. You haven't seen Raven's bank accounts."
Maya's gaze dropped to my left hand, where Nash's engagement ring caught the boutique's carefully calibrated lighting. The blue diamond glittered like a piece of captured sky.
Her mouth fell open. Then she screamed.
It was a high-pitched, sustained shriek that probably shattered glass in a three-block radius. She grabbed my hand, yanking it up to her face, her eyes bulging so wide I was genuinely concerned they might fall out.
"IS THAT A REAL BLUE DIAMOND?!"
"Thirty seconds," I said calmly, checking my watch. "You've been screaming for thirty seconds."
"THIS COST MORE THAN MY PARENTS' HOUSE!"
Scarlet smirked. "Probably more than the whole neighborhood."
Maya stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "You're marrying a billionaire."
"And she could buy this building without checking her balance," Scarlet added helpfully. "Match made in heaven, really."
Maya's knees wobbled. "I need... I need a minute."
"We're here to pick dresses," I reminded her gently. "Come on."
The boutique manager—a tall, elegant woman named Vivienne—clapped her hands together. "Shall we begin? I've curated a selection based on Mr. Wilder's specifications."
Maya had recovered enough to bounce over to the rolling rack, her eyes lighting up as she grabbed a gorgeous mermaid silhouette. "Raven! This one! It's so elegant and romantic!"
I tilted my head, studying the gown. Beautiful, objectively speaking. The kind of dress that would make photographers weep.
Scarlet moved closer, her expression shifting into tactical assessment mode. She reached out and pinched the fabric between her fingers, testing its weight.
"No," she said flatly.
Maya blinked. "What? Why not?"
"The train is too long. Limits mobility." Scarlet tugged at the flowing skirt. "If someone crashes the wedding, this becomes a tripping hazard. And this lace overlay? It'll snag on any concealed holster."
Maya's face cycled through confusion, realization, and horror. "Wait. Are you planning to bring a gun to your wedding?"
"Well, I'm more of a blade girl," I said with a shrug. "Thigh holster works, but a good knife is quieter."
"And this corset." Scarlet poked at the structured bodice. "Way too tight. No give in the ribcage. One solid hit in close combat and you're done."
Maya stared at us both. "Are we shopping for a wedding dress or battle armor?"
Scarlet set the dress down carefully. "Raven has enemies, Maya. A lot of enemies. Weddings make excellent targets."
"So the wedding could be—"
"Dangerous," Scarlet confirmed cheerfully.
I sighed, stepping between them. "Nash is handling security. Two hundred operatives, aerial surveillance, perimeter drones. The venue will have more protection than the Pentagon." I shot Scarlet a pointed look. "So I can wear whatever I want without worrying about tactical disadvantages."
Scarlet's expression softened—barely. "Someone finally taking care of you, huh?"
The words hit harder than expected. I'd spent so long handling everything alone.
"Yeah," I said quietly. "Someone is."
Scarlet grinned—that sharp, dangerous smile. "Good. You deserve it. Even if it makes me insanely jealous."
"Jealous?" Maya perked up. "You're literally the coolest person I've ever met."
"Coolest and deadliest," Scarlet corrected. "But yeah. Having a terrifyingly competent billionaire mercenary who'd burn the world down to keep you safe? That's something special."
I felt warmth spread through my chest. "It is. In a deeply unhinged kind of way."
"The best relationships are," Scarlet said sagely.
Maya grabbed my hand, eyes sparkling. "So can I come? To the wedding? I mean, with all this security and the venue and—" She hesitated. "Someone like me, with a normal family, would I even be allowed—"
I squeezed her hand, cutting off her doubt. "Maya. Of course you're invited. You're my friend. I'm inviting the whole class if I want to."
Her face lit up like Christmas morning. "Really?"
"Really."
Scarlet laughed. "School really is that interesting to you? Maybe I should try attending tomorrow. See what all the fuss is about."
"You'd terrify everyone," I said.
"That's the point."
Vivienne cleared her throat politely. "Perhaps we could continue with the fittings? I have several other styles prepared."
Maya practically vibrated with excitement. "Yes! Raven, you have to try them on! This is your wedding!"
As she dragged me toward the fitting room, Scarlet following with an armful of gowns that had passed her tactical inspection, I felt something unexpected bloom in my chest.