I flip through another dozen of files when I hear a knock on the door. My hand immediately goes to the gun that is set aside right under the desk. However, I cannot imagine anyone who would want to hurt me knocking. It’s better to be safe anyway.
“Come in,” I say, leaning back in the chair. The door opens and William comes in, already dressed in black. He regards me, judging the state I’m in.
Ever since I woke up at six in the morning, I’ve only made myself a cup of strong black coffee, put on a big hoodie and leggings and came in here so I could get things done. No makeup, hair looking messy and dark circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep. I cannot even remember the last time I slept more than a few hours. Especially not since my meeting with Macsen.
That was also the very last time I saw him in person. Most of the other decisions didn’t require us to be in the same room so we took care of them through our advisors, or the phone if there wasn't any damning evidence. Next time we’ll see each other is today in church. From then on we will be bound to live together and get along.
I’m still wondering which one will be harder to swallow. For the last few years, I haven’t lived with anyone, let alone a man.
“Shouldn’t you be getting ready?” he asks, the frown upon his face making it obvious that he hates my poor time management skills. Which is fair. I’m barely ever on time unless he comes with me.
I shrug. “The groom won’t run away.” Though I hope he would. “What do you want?”
William clears his throat and pulls out a file from behind him. He had an early meeting with Victor Addison to go through our marriage settlement stating all of our finances, territories, and businesses. Something that is going to get buried at the bottom of my drawer after I sign it once we are officially married. If they ever get into someone's hands, both Macsen and I would suffer terrible consequences. This is why there has been such a document drawn in the first place. Now we are both accounted for.
“Is everything as we established?” I ask and he nods.
“At the reception, you will both sign it. Though, you should read through it one last time once you get ready. Your mother is waiting for you downstairs with the hairdresser, makeup specialist, and all those people.”
I roll my eyes at the thought. It’s really ironic that for someone who hates having people over, now I have a whole damn house filled with strangers. I am not a proponent of keeping up with the traditions. After all, they were the ones that got me in the mess of having to fight for my own life in the first place.
A huge lump settles in my throat but I ignore my feelings and take the settlement from William. “There’s no reason to hurry,” I say and go through all the points mentioned. And there is a lot.
Sometimes I forget how much I’ve achieved in the years of ruling over my part of Liverpool. Taking over the Firm wasn’t easy, but showing that I’m, in fact, capable of expanding the business has been even more of a bitch. And it isn’t even over. Now that I’m about to get married, men will think I’m going to give up my rights and that Macsen will be their boss.
Fuck no.
I’m more than determined to show them that won’t be the case. Ever. They answer to me, and me alone. Sharing territory and putting the end to the war we’ve been fighting is as far as I’m willing to go.
“Davina,” I hear my mother’s high-pitched voice coming closer. She’s getting impatient and probably scared that I won’t be ready in time.
William shifts in his spot, stepping away from the doors before they swing open without so much as a knock.
My eyes shoot up, displeasure written all over my face. As I see my mother in her light pink dress reaching her knees, her black hair up in a pristine bun and this annoying wide smile, I have half a mind to cancel everything and send them all home. Only she can find a reason to glow in such circumstances. Especially since she hasn’t been much involved in any of the celebrations ever since my sister’s marriage years ago. It’s almost as if she’s trying to make up for the lost time when I was always invisible to her and all she could see was my precious older sister. The joke's on her because this wedding is nothing more than a business deal. There is no love, no affection, and sure as hell no deeply hidden emotional need for it.
“I told you something about disturbing my work,” I snap at her.
“My dear, you’re going to be late for your own wedding. I’ve called for you a thousand times already. Whatever it is you’re doing, it surely can wait until tomorrow.” She doesn’t make anything of my words.
This…
This kind of behaviour is exactly the reason why I barely ever visit my parents. I cannot handle this pretentiousness for longer than a couple of minutes. Though, I realise that I’m putting off the inevitable so I close the file, having only read halfway through it, and give it back to William.
He takes it from me. “I’ll finish in the car on the way to the church,” I tell him, and without another word, I take my gun from under the desk and move towards the stairs.
Let’s get this over with.
Macsen
I straighten my black tie one last time before raking my eyes up and down my perfectly-pressed black tux. My tattoos peek out from underneath my sleeves and collar. The tightness of the suit makes my shoulders broader than usual.
Theo sits in the armchair, checking his watch every few minutes with an anxious look. His feet start tapping which annoys the fuck out of me. Even seeing his reflection in the floor-length mirror, it’s clear his thoughts are running a hundred miles per hour.
“You do realise it’s my wedding, not yours? Why are you being nervous as if you were the bride?” I ask and his attention shifts to me.
His eyes narrow as he brushes his left hand through his tousled hair.
“I feel like this deal won’t work. Do you really want to marry that bitch after what she did to you at the meeting?” His tone is partially serious because he’s smart enough to know not to cross me.
But I can see right through him and he means every word.
I glance over my shoulder, offering him a death glare.
“She’ll be part of our family. Show her some respect,” I warn him.
“I’m saying it because I worry about the Firm.”
I shake my head. “There is nothing to worry about here.”
He opens his mouth to speak up but a sudden knock on the door stops him. Victor enters the room dressed in his tux and looks back and forth between us.
“They’re on their way. We should head to the church,” he announces.
With a nod, I dismiss the useless conversation with my brother and go out of the room. As I stroll down the hallway, I find my sister walking the same path. Her soft black eyes rest upon me with a sweet smile that always brings a glimmer of light into my dark life.
She’s dressed in a long, floral, pale pink gown, with her hair tied in a side braid. A small white rose is tucked into her hair, making her look even more gorgeous.
“You look beautiful, Lara,” I mutter with a smile, feeling my body relaxing.
Her cheeks flush from my words. “You don't look so bad yourself,” she teases me, making me chuckle.
My sister is the breath of fresh air that always brightens my cursed days and nights just with her innocence and warm nature. She’s the only woman in my life whom I trust more than myself. Since the day she was born, she’s been everything to me. Lara is aware of what I do for a living, and unlike others, she has never feared me. There were several times she wished for me to have a different life. Yet, for some reason, she adores me for who I am and she’s truly always going to be there for me. In return, I swore to myself that I’ll never fail her. I’ll protect her from evil no matter what.