Chapter 14

Killian

I’ve never been a man that worries about much. I haven’t ever needed to. One simple snap of my fingers—one command of my voice— and people do what I want. It’s the weight my name holds. Not only that but the persona I’ve built for myself from a very young age.

Very soon Marcella will walk down the aisle to me and for the first time, I'm feeling somewhat nervous.

I’ll never admit to another soul how much she’s been on my mind since the moment I saw her in the alley. I haven’t even admitted to myself how much she’s plagued my thoughts since that night. I know if I pretend well enough, I can trick myself into thinking it’s only because I know this woman is about to be my wife.

I’ve never had to share my life—my space—with anyone else. There were some parts of me even my brothers were not aware of. Maybe that was the reason she was on my mind so much? *Or maybe she has made a place in your heart?*

No. I won't deny I am attracted to her. She is very beautiful, sure, but there is something in her that has a pull on me. A fire I have seen in her eyes. One I will surely make sure to see often.

We stand here in our huge hall below our double sided stairs with a priest and my brothers next to me. I admit my house is lavish and some people would call it extra. But we deserve it. Living in a state we did. We fought our way to the top and we are living the life we deserve.

The doors to the left staircase open, and it feels like my stomach drops to my feet when I see her standing at the end of the aisle. She clutches Rose's arm so tightly I wonder if she feels the bite of her nails. It seems my wife and housekeeper are quite taken with each other. I don’t pay close attention to their intertwined arms for long. I can’t resist the urge to meet her eyes, to get lost in the reality of what we’re about to do.

It hasn’t been that long since I most likely threatened her for this marriage, but since then, she’s applied a soft pink gloss to her lips and pinned a veil in the long dark strands of her hair.

“She’s beautiful,” Jonah whispers from my side.

I swallow, not wanting to openly admit that I wholeheartedly agree with him. My mouth feels dry as I try to process the emotions crashing through me. I think she might be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Even though her face is void of any expression and the same fire blazes in her eyes. The one I'm beginning to crave.

Marcella comes to a stop in front of me that I realize I should’ve helped lead her to where we stand. I was too lost in her beauty, wondering why all the women I’ve met in the world have never made my heart beat the way it is at this moment. I did not like this feeling, but only for today, i would let myself go.

This felt different. It felt real.

Maybe it’s because the priest begins the service, solidifying the fact that Marcella and I are actually getting married. Reaching out, I grab her hands and loop my fingers around hers. I need to touch her.

Her hands shake, and for some reason it feels like a dagger to my chest. I know she does not want this. No sane person would want to get married to a man who killed her fiance, kidnapped her and is now after her sister. But it is what it is with this world and this is the only way I can protect her. I know she is innocent in all this but if i didn't get to her first. I knew Tony would and that would be way worse than getting married to me right now.

The priest prays over us and our marriage while I’m too busy staring at my soon-to-be wife. I don’t let anyone get under my skin. Not now, not ever. But the way my fingers tighten around hers, wanting to keep her close, I wonder if I give her long enough, Marcella will do exactly what I am afraid of. Run away.

I get swept up in reminding myself over and over again that this marriage is only to protect her. That this is an agreement between us, and that’s all it’ll ever be. But fuck, I didn’t expect this wedding to feel so real. That has to be why I’m completely thrown off.

Before I know it, we’ve made it to the part of the ceremony where we exchange rings. “If you’re ready, I’ll have the two of you hand me the bands. The ring has no beginning, no end…it represents the circle of life—the circle of love. May they be given and received to remind you of the vows you have made on this day.”

Jonah moves to give both the bands to the priest. I realize then how badly Marcellas hands are shaking and how fast she is breathing. I bend down to her height so we are at eye level. “Look at me Marcella.” She still does not lift her face but her eyes move to me. “Take a deep breath mia belleza. Calm down.”

I see her trying to take a deep breath a few times. There is silence around us as everyone lets us do our thing.

“If you tell me right now to stop this wedding, I will.” I was absolutely shocked by the words that just left me. And by the look Marcella just gave me, she was more shocked than me. But if needed I will find another way to protect her if needed. No one should feel the need to almost pass out at the thought of marrying me.

“But…But you said its to protect me.” Her voice was not above a whisper.

“I will find another way. It will be hard, but I will.”

I see the wheels turning in her eyes as she thinks about my words. Her nod fills me with disappointment.

I turn to the priest to get him out of here before I hear her whisper again. “I’ll marry you.”

I whip towards her so fast that you could hear a crick in my neck. Relief filled me upon hearing her words and I nodded at the priest to proceed.

She looked at me the entire time the priest blessed both of our wedding bands. All I wanted was to make sure she had a ring on her finger so the world knew she was under my protection. That she was my wife.

The priest hands me her wedding band carefully, gesturing for me to take her hand. I attempt to keep my hands steady as I take her hand in mine once again.

“Repeat after me,” he instructs as I line the band up with the tip of her finger. “In token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love, with this ring, I thee wed.” I repeat after him, sliding the wedding band all the way down her finger.

Before I can think better of it, I raise her hand a few inches and lay a kiss to the diamond on her finger. It’s cold against my lips as I kiss the physical representation of the union we’re agreeing to. I heard a snicker from behind me. I knew those assholes were laughing silently at what they would say “my cheesiness”.

Her eyelids flutter shut for a moment, and I’d give anything to be able to take a look into her mind.

Marcella repeats the same words I just did, her hand steady now as she slides the band down my ring finger.

The wedding mass seems to go by in a blur. All too soon, the priest is presenting us to the few witnesses we have. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Marcella freezes at that but a rush of excitement buzzes through me at the thought of tasting her again. The brief kiss before was just that, brief.

I lifted her veil which now frames her face perfectly. Without even thinking about it, my thumb traces her high cheekbones. It might be hopeful thinking, but I swear she slightly leans into my touch. My heart pounds at the thought of kissing her. Since when did the thought of kissing someone make me feel nervous and all weird.

“Just do it,” she whispers. Her voice is so low that I almost miss it, meaning there’s no way anyone else heard it but me. My eyes fall to her lips. They’re slightly parted and perfectly pink, inviting me to press my own against them. I lean in, our breaths mingling as I place our lips inches apart. She angles her head slightly, allowing me the perfect position to press my lips against hers.

“For fuck sakes just kiss her already. Do you need help or something?” Jonah and Dom laughed loudly behind me and I wanted to pull my gun and shoot them both. Red tint raised up her chest to her cheeks at their words.

“You touch her brother. And you will die.” With that, I tightened my grip on her possessively and smashed my mouth to her. Just thinking of her kissing anyone but me fueled my urge to pull her so into me that I would be aware of even a fly that buzzes past us.

Just as she relaxed in the kiss, I pulled back slightly and smirked at her. Her eyes were hooded and there was no mistake of a small spark in her eyes. A spark I would love to discover more about. I do go in for one more chaste peck against her lips after the first one ends. Because why not?

“I’m delighted to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Killian Knight for the very first time,” the priest says with glee, probably happy to leave our state.

For a typical wedding, this is where everyone stands and cheers with happiness for the new couple. They might throw rice or confetti or blow bubbles. None of that happens because this isn’t a wedding celebrating love, and most of the three people here to bear witness know that.

“Congratulations brother.” Jonah smacks my shoulder pulling me away from my now wife.

“Thank you.” I turn to them and they both hug me.

I turn to see Rose hugging Marcella, whispering something in her ear that makes her blush again and a small smile lifts up her lovely mouth.

A rush of warmth runs through me at the sight of her smile. I wonder what she looks like actually smiling and laughing.

Dom moves towards Marcella and holds his hand. I see her looking at his hand skeptically “Welcome to the family little mother.” Marcellas eyes widen and jaw drops at his words and Rose, Jonah and I start laughing.

Marcella shakes his hand and thanks him and then turns to Jonah. And holds out a hand for him which he shakes.

“Lets eat.” I tell my brother and Rose rushes to get everything ready. I turn to my now wife and wonder which way our life will lead us now.