Chapter Six
Saturday
One P.M.
E verything was perfect. The musicians had arrived, the caterers were setting up food, and the tents were blocking the helicopters and drones that were overhead. Nothing was going to spoil this day.
Nothing.
The media was in a frenzy as they tried to get a few photographs of the couple. Only, that wasn’t happening. Greyson had made sure that they were blocked at every avenue. That also meant Viktor Marchenko was blocked too.
Today, when his brother and Steele headed to the hotel in downtown Vegas, they’d be going there in a limo, right to the elevator to the penthouse.
He wasn’t messing around. Had there not been some maniac trying to kill them, then he wouldn’t have been so hellbent against the media getting a few shots.
Tomorrow, the family jet would take them directly to New York, and they’d be safe.
At least he wouldn’t have to worry.
As he stood in the foyer, waiting for his wife, there was a knock on the door.
Greyson already knew who it was. Dimitri had let them in, and he only hoped his mother behaved herself.
If she didn’t, his wife was going to kick his ass for giving her another chance. He didn’t want to piss off his kitten today. He was hoping to get into her panties later, or even when he could steal her away from the festivities.
Normally, he’d molest his girl before they rolled out of bed, but she’d actually been up before him, and that was a feat in itself. He got up to run in the gym at the ass crack of dawn, and she’d still beaten him.
He hoped this wasn’t going to be a habit.
Greyson didn’t ask for much.
He wanted her naked, beside him, and ready when he was moved by the soft glide of her skin against his.
He’d make up for it later.
When the door opened, he stood there like a sentry guarding the kingdom. His mother stopped the second she saw him.
“Greyson.”
“Mother.”
Christopher Croft elbowed her.
“About last night.”
Greyson didn’t give her the opportunity to say anything more.
“It won’t happen again. If it does, Emma’s order for you to never be here again will stand. I’m going against my own wife on this, and that’s not kosher. I don’t like usurping her decisions, as I know I would loathe if she did that to me. The only reason I’m going to stand between you both, especially after you struck my pregnant wife, is for my brother. He wants you here.”
She said nothing.
“You can head outside. There are refreshments before the service. I suggest you don’t drink. You tend to say things when you do.”
She nodded and headed away.
His father stopped and hugged him. “Thank you, Grey. I’m sorry about all of this. I know this puts you in a predicament with your wife. Blame it on me. I’ll take the heat.”
“For you, Dad, I’ll handle it, but you had better make sure Reggie minds her manners, or she won’t see our wedding. She struck my wife. That’s…bad.”
He agreed.
“She and I had a bad fight last night over it. I told her I would leave her home for your wedding. She misses being the only woman in your life.”
“Well, that boat has sailed. She had me for forty years, Dad. It’s Emma’s turn. Plus, she talks about Steele and Dante like being gay is a bad thing. It’s love. Who are we to judge them? I’m far from perfect. I won’t sit here as my mother who believes in a higher power, preaches tolerance, and she judges them. I just can’t. This is my house and my rules.”
“OUR house,” Emma said, coming down the grand stairs. “Right?”
Well, here it came.
“Emma, you look beautiful,” Christopher Croft stated.
She gave him a kiss. “Thank you, Dad. Now I know where your sexy son gets his good looks. You’re looking very dapper and father of the one groom in your tux.”
He patted her cheek as she fixed his bowtie.
“Thank you for giving my son a good day. I’m happy to see him tie the knot.”
She genuinely loved this man. He had a sweet soul and a gentle heart.
HE wasn’t the issue.
“I hope you enjoy the day. YOU are always welcome here, Dad.”
He gave her a kiss and focused on his son.
He was screwed.
Christopher Croft had been married almost forty-five years. He knew a dead man walking when he saw one.
“I’ll go make sure Reggie is not drinking.”
He hurried away.
Emma stared at her husband.
“You do look beautiful. He’s right,” Greyson said, trying to gauge the chill he was feeling.
Was it Antarctica?
Or was it just the freezer?
That would tell him a lot.
She didn’t speak.
“Okay, what’s this going to cost me? Are we talking a bad fight or can I bribe you with something pretty?”
“I do believe I told you she was not allowed here,” Emma said, crossing her arms. “I do believe after she struck me, then you, and then called the people we love misfits, that she was NEVER to darken our doorstep again.”
“You did.”
“I don’t understand how you’ve confused this. I also don’t think you misunderstood how NEVER was a very long time. Unless I’ve misplaced my watch, this doesn’t feel like never or when hell freezes over. In fact, I’m pretty sure the Devil himself didn’t invite her. Oh wait…”
He lifted a brow.
“Kitten, tread lightly.”
She went to walk away.
He grabbed her arm. “Not happening. We are hosting this, and we need to be a unified front.”
Emma stared up at him. “Oh, are we? This doesn’t feel like it’s unified. You let her back in here.”
“She’s my mother.”
“And I’m your wife.”
“I did it for Dante.”
She pulled her arm free. “You could have at least asked me. I would have said yes. I’d bleed for everyone in this house. You could have made me feel like I matter more than your mother by simply warning me. That’s the issue—not her being here. For OUR brother, I would have given in.”
He knew he’d crossed a line.
“Emma. Please.”
Tears filled her eyes. “No, Grey. Now, I have hosting duties to handle. I saw Riley arrive. I’ll see you for the wedding.”
She walked away, her heels leaving an angry staccato, echoing behind, as she crossed the tile foyer and disappeared into the swarm of people working this wedding.
Greyson sighed.
And here it was.
He’d managed to piss off his wife for a woman who irritated the hell out of him.
Why?
Because blood mattered.
Now he had to fix this.
Somehow.
Outside, she smiled cheerfully, as she greeted all their guests. There was Dante’s staff, his secretary, and a few of his friends from Vegas.
Steele’s brother was standing there, and he looked lost. Emma immediately went up to him. “Well, Ben, you look all handsome and ready for a wedding.”
He smiled. “I am. Where is my brother?” he asked. “I know I’m late. I had to escape my mother’s questions. She was inundating me with them.”
She laughed.
Yes, mothers.
She got it.
“You could have brought her as your date. We wouldn’t have minded.”
He hesitated. “Are you guys really what they say on the media reports?” he asked.
She liked that he was honest.
“Are you asking if Greyson is the mob in Vegas?”
“Yes.”
“The Crofts are the biggest, toughest, and most dangerous mob family here.”
He got it.
While he’d play in the dirt for his brother, he wouldn’t risk his mom.
“Then for her safety, she should stay away. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
She got that.
“Although, it looks pretty safe here.”
Yeah, she noticed.
There was security everywhere. You’d think Dimitri was guarding the Queen’s jewels. He’d hired more backup for them all.
It was ridiculous.
This was a wedding.
“Why don’t you head in to see your brother?” she asked. “Ask one of the housekeepers. They will take you to him.”
He smiled.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Emma. I feel welcome here with my brother.”
“You’re family because Steele is our brother.”
He headed off.
“Wow, this is some party,” Delilah said, as she slinked up to Emma in her sexy black dress.
It left NOTHING to the imagination.
Delilah looked like some nineteen forties arm candy. She was throwing serious sex down today.
“WOW! Who are you trying to catch?” Emma asked their attorney.
“Apparently, a sexy cop. I don’t know why, but he makes me insane,” she admitted. “Where is Detective Do Good?”
She snorted. “Over by the bar. I saw two mimosas in his hands. I think he’s looking for a wicked witch to catch for his own.”
She grinned. “What do you know? Good and evil can play in the game together. If we disappear, I’ll be molesting Dudley Do Right in a spare room. Do NOT send help.”
Emma loved their attorney. She was straight forward, and she didn’t mince words. Emma only hoped that Riley Henderson knew what was coming.
She was going to turn his world upside down.
Clearly.
Emma watched her strut off, and when she found him, she tripped and landed against his body. Riley caught her, and she kissed him.
Yep.
Sunk.
That detective was taken.
Next, Emma found Chris working the perimeter with Dimitri.
“You look gorgeous,” Chris said, giving her a kiss on the lips when he saw her.
“Thank you. I do try. You know how I have to be perfect for the king.”
He heard it.
So did Dimitri.
Emma was NOT happy.
“His mother?”
She nodded.
Then she told Chris when he looked confused.
“Cut him some slack. He had to play nice. He’s just as fucked as the next guy when it comes to family.”
She was aware, but if she gave her sexy cave-Croft an inch, he’d take four miles.
Anyway...
“Will you be saving a dance for me?” she asked, fixing Chris’s tie.
“You know it. You can have the first one.”
She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Perfect.”
Then she faced Dimitri.
“And you? Will I get to dance with our sexy Mr. Gideon? Think you can squeeze me in?”
He laughed. “I’m working, but we will see.” Dimitri knew he’d give her anything she wanted.
This included.
“Yeah, like you can’t multi-task. I want to hear all about you making out with Steele.”
Chris sputtered.
“What?”
“Didn’t you hear? You have to kiss the groom,” Dimitri offered, busting his employee’s ass. “I got mine out of the way.”
“Oh, hell, no.”
Emma smiled.
“I’ll kiss Emma. That’s as close to kissing Dante and Steele I’m going to get.”
He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll definitely save all my dances for you, Emma, and my sisters.”
She smiled at him.
He looked better today.
She fixed his lapel, and grabbed a flower from the bush beside them. “You need some color to brighten up all the black,” she said, tucking the red rose into the buttonhole. Then she sniffed it.
“Perfect.”
Chris objected. “Uh, hello?”
“You smell like lilacs. You had your own flower climbing all over you this morning. I don’t need to even go there.”
He laughed and tried not to look way too proud of himself—especially in front of Natasha’s brother.
“Yeah, I did.”
Dimitri closed his eyes. “The visual…really?”
Chris patted him on the arm. “I’ll leave it at that—for you. It’s too nice a day to make you cranky.”
Chris headed off to find his girl.
Dimitri held out his arm. “Would you do me the honor?” he asked.
Emma took his arm and held on.
“Is Steele excited?”
“Yes, he is. I just wanted to thank you for what you did for him. I know there’s not a gay bone in your body,” she said, staring up at him.
He laughed. “Nope, but he’s family. Isn’t that our job to make the people we love feel safe?”
“Yes, it is.”
He grinned at her. “Then I was just doing my job.”
Some of the shadows were gone from his aqua eyes. That made her happy.
Family healed.
Here was the proof.
“Besides, if you could have seen his mother. He needed that moment more than I needed to be secure in my masculinity.”
She went up on her toes and gave him a kiss on the lips. “That’s for a man who will heal his family even when it’s not his thing.”
He laughed. “Yeah, definitely not gay.”
She snorted.
Dimitri led her toward the tent where the ceremony was about to start. Everyone was filing in, and Emma grabbed some tissues she’d placed by the door.
“Expecting to weep?” he asked.
She pointed at her midsection. “Let’s blame it on this baby,” she offered.
He grinned.
“Yeah, I think it’s more because you’re a mother than a mother-to-be.”
Maybe he was right.
“Will you sit by me?” she asked.
“Will Greyson flip his shit?” he asked.
“He’s going to be up there with Dante. I just figured you could be my date, since we’re both going to be alone.”
He kissed her on the top of the head. “I’d like that a lot. There’s no one I’d rather be cried on by than the pregnant wife of a man who is like my brother.”
“Well, when you put it that way…”
Dimitri was glad he had her.
Emma helped fill a hole in him, whether she knew it or not. It wasn’t sexual, but more as a friend and companion. When she was near, he didn’t ache as much for what he’d been forced to watch walk away.
He had peace as she held his arm.
“It would be my pleasure to be your other date, Emma Croft.”
She smiled.
“Then let’s go watch a wedding, Dimitri Gideon.”
It was a good day to do just that.
When Greyson took his place at the altar with his brother, he could only focus on his wife. She was sitting beside Dimitri, and she wouldn’t look at him.
In fact, she was a little too interested in something the Russian was whispering in her ear.
He was about to lose it.
Normally, he wouldn’t be jealous of the man being near his wife, but since he knew she was angry at him, this added fuel to his speculative fire.
It made the heat creep up his body.
Dante looked over and saw him going red. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.
“Nothing,” he said, not willing to ruin his brother’s wedding. Later, he was going to get his wife alone and give her a piece of his mind.
It wasn’t going to be pretty.
The music began playing, and Steele walked in being escorted by his brother. They walked, side by side, down the aisle. He was wearing a gray suit, punctuated with a pinkish-red rose.
Dante watched him approach, and he couldn’t believe he was about to get this damn lucky.
His heart thumped.
Here came his husband.
As they stopped at the altar, Steele stared into his eyes. The silver always made his pulse quicken. Dante was handsome, sexy, and everything he’d always wanted in a man.
He was the epitome of everything.
Steele knew how lucky he was to have found him, and to have found this family.
The minister began, “Love is our best friend, our partner, and the healer of the pain in our lives. To understand the power of love, we must understand ourselves,” he said, smiling at the two men.
“Please join hands,” he said.
Steele and Dante did.
The minister continued, glancing back and forth between the two men. “We are all half of a whole. As we travel through life, trying to find our other self, we don’t always succeed and find ‘The ONE’,” he offered. “Today, I come to ask you this. Have you both found that half to your whole?”
Dante wiped a tear from Steele’s good eye. He was wearing his patch, a gift from Dimitri, and he looked like a sexy pirate.
“I have found my other half. It’s you,” he offered.
Steele kissed their joined hands. “I know for certain that I’ve found my better half. It’s definitely you.”
The minister continued, “And when one of us meets our other half, we are lost in an amazement of love, friendship, and intimacy, and we don’t want to be out of the other's sight even for a moment. We pass our whole lives together, desiring that we should be melted into one, to spend our lives as one person instead of two, and so that after our death there will be one departed soul instead of two; this is the very expression of who we are.”
Everyone in the family listened to the man speak. It was moving, without being preachy. That was the perfect way to conduct this wedding.
The men gazed into each other’s eyes, and it was clear what they were thinking.
Steele couldn’t exist without Dante. He’d tried to die.
Dante couldn’t function without Steele. His life had been on hold until his mate was back.
This was a perfect union.
The minister continued, “This story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It begins with the day that Dante Atticus Croft saw Doctor Steele Worthington Bentley in a morgue of all places. They found that spark over death. A friendship was formed, and from there, like the blossoms in spring, it bloomed. It became something more as Dante knew he’d found the person with who he could be his true self.”
It was true.
Dante came out for this man.
He’d never wanted to face the truth that he was gay, but Steele…he made him want to be true to both of them.
“For Steele, he found someone he could be safe with, and someone who would accept him for himself. In that, he found his way to this path of love. It is one forged in fate, beginning the day they were both brought into this world, and it will end when they leave, hopefully, as one.”
Dante loved him so much. He could see that love reflected back into his eyes.
“That’s just the beginning of the story. They’ve overcome so much. Once upon a time, Steele nearly lost his way. He’d been taken from his love, and he had to fight to find his way back to him. It’s taken time, but one thing has remained the same. Dante. He hasn’t faltered. He hasn’t given up. We can ask, why?”
Dante answered. “I haven’t because I have never loved anyone as much as I love Steele.”
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Emma was wiping furiously at hers, as Dimitri kept handing her tissues.
Kat and Nat were also wiping their eyes, touched by the love and beauty of the moment.
Reggie, wiped at hers, but no one could tell if it was love, or the bitterness of a woman who’d failed at destroying love.
Greyson patted his brother on the shoulder, and smiled at the couple.
The anger he had ebbed away.
He knew what Dante was feeling.
He felt it too.
Emma looked over at him, and he let it go. ‘I love you,’ he mouthed.
She touched her lips and blew him a kiss.
There was that love.
That forgiveness.
It was what marriage was about.
The minister continued, “Dante rode in and saved his love, staying by him, protecting him, and showing him the true meaning of being a partner, spouse, and lover. Love is not something that we all find. It is not something that can be bought, stolen, or forced. From the bended knee at the fundraiser where he asked Steele to marry him, or to the times they’d gone out in public as a unified front, that was the foundation of love and acceptance.”
It was right.
This was right.
“This couple has bravely decided to make it official. Who here hasn’t dreamed of this kind of love? It is one that will last until their dying days. Who hasn’t wished that the love found would lead to a day like this? The answer is simple. We all have. Today, we get to watch the two become one, and that is a gift beyond words.”
It was.
Dante couldn’t take his eyes off his husband-to-be. He loved him more than himself. More than breath. More than his own life. He’d die for Steele.
He’d die without him.
“This moment is here, and I’m happy for you both,” the minister said. “Can you believe that you’ve made it over every hurdle to reach the altar?”
They both shook their heads.
It had been a battle.
A long one.
“Well, it’s real. It’s happening. It’s even more marvelous than anyone here could have ever dreamed. Now comes the part that always makes me the happiest. Look at your hands. There are the hands of a soldier, protecting those of his doctor. They are hands that can lift you up, or break you down. What you choose to do with your hands will decide your life.”
They stared down at them.
Steele’s fingers were healed, but he’d been broken and destroyed. Dante could see the beauty in his two malformed pinkies. He’d protected them with his life, and he’d do the same for him.
“Know that these are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you. Know that they are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years.”
Dante’s thumb caressed Steele’s hand.
‘I love you,’ he mouthed.
‘I’d die without you,’ Steele mouthed back.
The minister pushed on. “And with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it, support and encouragement to pursue your dreams, and comfort in difficult times. And lastly, these are the hands that even years from now will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just one touch. Stay connected. Stay as one, and know that you will always have the love and support you need.”
The tent where they were having their wedding was silent. Everyone watched, waiting.
“The couple didn’t want vows, because they’ve already said them privately to each other. They feel that those vows, whispered to each other are sacred words, meant only for each other’s ears. Instead, they wish to do this differently.”
That surprised everyone.
“I asked both Dante and Steele to sum up their relationship in one word. I’ve heard a lot of words used, but these two men surprised me. They didn’t use special, or perfect, or anything to describe it as I thought they would. Instead, they both said the same words at the same time. Gentlemen, what is that word?”
He held out their rings.
“Destined,” they said at the same time.
Dante continued, as he took Steele’s ring and slid it onto his finger, “I was born for you, Steele Worthington Bentley. I was put on this Earth to be your strength when you are weak, your shoulder when you need to lean. I am here to be your champion, your warrior, and the man who will defend you to the end of my days. I am yours, simply because we were made to be one. I am yours because only you understand my heart and soul. I take you as my husband.”
Steele wiped his eyes. His brother handed him a tissue.
He had so much he wanted to say.
He went with his heart.
Picking up the last ring, he placed it on his soon-to-be husband’s finger. “You’ve always been the stronger one, Dante Atticus Croft. There’s no doubt about that. You can be my strength, and I will be your tenderness. When the world is hard, cold, and ugly, you can always find that love and gentleness in me. I’ll soothe your pain, kiss away your hurt, and promise that you will be okay. While you protect me, I’ll protect your heart. Today, tomorrow, and forever, it will be my one job. I will love my husband as if he’s the only man on Earth. I take you as my husband.”
The minister smiled. “Today is all about love. It has been my honor to be here to witness Steele and Dante’s story. This is but one chapter, and I am sure the book will be full of so many more moments. Thank you for letting me be a part of this, and now I get to say something you’ve been looking forward to hearing for a long time. By the powers vested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you married. Mr. Dante Croft, you may kiss your husband, Mr. Steele Croft.”
And Dante did.
He pulled him into his arms, he smiled with so much affection as he stared into the aqua eyes of his mate.
“I love you,” he offered, bringing his mouth to his.
Steele let him lead, knowing Dante would never let him fall.
Their mouths met.
Everyone there began clapping.
It was a beautiful moment.
When they broke apart, the men faced their family. Dante grinned triumphantly, his silver eyes glittering with joy.
“FINALLY!” he said, as the whole family, their friends, and everyone else began laughing.
This had been the journey for Dante. It wasn’t only about the ‘I do’, but also about getting to that moment. He’d had to come out, and face his fears of losing his friends and family.
He’d survived it.
He’d had to wait for the man he loved to recover from what happened to him. Nothing had been easy on this journey.
People had criticized them, called them names, spread horrible rumors, and made their lives hell, but they’d beat each and every obstacle to get here.
Today was about love.
Not being gay.
It was about deserving the right to fall in love with whoever they wanted, gender excluded, and they’d made it.
Dante could finally enjoy his marriage. The journey had made him stronger, and it made the love worth so much more.
He had a partner in it all, and now he held his husband’s hand, and they could finally celebrate.
Today was a new day.
Today was the first day in the rest of their lives as husbands.
“Thank you all for being here,” Steele said, looking out at all of them. “I think it’s time to start this party. Thank you to our family for all of this.”
Dante continued for his husband, “Thank you to my brother and sister-in-law. You’ve always been here for us. We only hope we have the love you both share. Without you, Emma, and you, Greyson, we wouldn’t be here. We love you.”
She blew them both a kiss.
Greyson gave them each one.
“To the rest of our family, thank you for supporting us. To the Gideons, we love you all for making sure we are safe, protected, and always entertained. We are glad you are part of our family too.”
Steele looked back at his brother. “To my brother, Bentley, thank you for being part of my day. It means the world to me.”
He hugged him.
“To my parents,” Dante said, knowing if he didn’t, he’d be crucified by Reggie, “thank you for being here.”
They held hands.
“Now, let’s have some fun!”
They headed down the aisle, hand in hand, and there was laughter.
As it should be.
As it always would be.
Today, tomorrow, and forever.
Because they had found love.