Alex

 

“That’s my cue,” Theo whispered, knowing Eden would soon reach the winding path. He was only seconds from seeing his bride-to-be. He blew out a long breath when she finally came into view, and his gaze held hers for several beats as she paused and the guests stood. Everyone watched her, but I glanced at Theo. He was a force of nature, and he stood tall and proud, awaiting each step as Eden grew closer.

His eyes dipped over her body and her beautiful gown. The veil concealed the features of his soon to be wife. I could see his eyes focusing on every detail. He was appreciating the moment, and it was as if a subtle change suddenly came over him, softening the hard edges of his heart. Eden had transformed him with her unconditional love.

I understood now what the right woman—at the right time—could do to a man.

Her eyes were gleaming with emotion as she approached. Gage lifted her veil and placed her hand into Theo’s as he gently helped her up the one step. They both stood as one under the archway, then Eden turned to Madison to hand her the bouquet.

Then they joined hands again and it all began.

I was unable to hold Madison’s gaze during the ceremony. Her love affected me so deeply that my emotions felt raw and exposed. I could see it all now as the scene unfolded in front of me today. It wasn’t the sex—although that was explosive. It was the sense of intimacy and trust, something much larger than life. Something powerful had taken hold of my heart and my being, and it was as if I’d known it the first moment we’d met.

The sun setting over the horizon brought streaks of orange, yellows, and reds, creating a stunning glow as the Edison lighting above us chimed to life.

The minister mentioned the four empty chairs around us, where white roses lay as a gesture of remembrance for those who could not be with us. There were two chairs for Eden’s parents on one side, and two for Theo’s on the other. I witnessed Eden’s heart crack in that moment, but Theo gently wiped her tears away.

During the ceremony, a cool gust of wind rattled the leaves, the lanterns swayed in the trees, and the hanging lights danced in the wind. The guests rumbled with a collective sixth sense that had the hairs on the back of my neck standing. We all waited as it softened and stilled. Then the preacher cleared his throat, but his appearance was still slightly rattled.

“Eden,” he prompted her.

“Theo, in you I see everything I want to be. I promise to learn from you, day by day, in all things. To you I pledge my faithfulness and love. You make me know that my dreams are possible. I love you and vow to do what I can to make your dreams come true, too. I vow to make my life forever yours, and to build my dreams around you. I give you the best of me. My heart, my soul, and my love are yours forever.”

“Eden.”

“I promise not only to listen, but to hear. Not only to be honest, but to trust. And not only to love, but to be loved. I vow to always protect you from harm, to stand with you against your troubles, and look to you when I need protection. I promise to be the man that I see now in your eyes, today, tomorrow, and always. Without you, I am nothing. With you, I am the best version of myself.”

“And now the rings.”

I watched Theo hold Eden’s hand. Her ring was poised at her fingertip.

“I, Theodore Grant, take you, Eden Barnett, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward. For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

Then he slid the ring into place.

Her smile was blindingly bright as her turn approached.

Earlier, Theo had shared the history of the ring that he’d asked Eden to present to him. It was a gesture of epic proportions. He would be wearing his father’s ring. It alone represented a marriage full of love that may have ended tragically, but the memory of that great love would live on.

I’d asked if he’d given Eden his mother’s engagement ring. He had placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Alex, I held on to my mother’s engagement ring for Madison, when she’s ready to walk down the aisle. I’ll hand it over to the man she chooses for her own. Now, that’s our little secret.”

Of course, I had been floored. I wanted to be the man she chose. Underneath it all, she was filling an empty space I hadn’t even known existed. Before Madison, I had felt so lost in the world. I had been searching for her without knowing—but Theo had known.

I’d also mentioned that Steel had been invited—unofficially. He’d been a common thread in all our lives recently, and we wanted to include him in our celebration.

Theo was pleased.

“He’s a good man, a man of real character.”

Steel had become a true friend to our joined families.

I was pulled back to the present, when Eden started to recite her vows.

“I, Eden Barnett, take you, Theodore Grant, to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

I watched as she slid the ring on his finger. Theo’s back to me, but I didn’t have to see his face to know how he felt at this moment. The importance of this ring would remind him every day that he was loved. Yes, by Eden—but also by his parents, his sister, and his family.

As the preacher continued to speak, my thoughts scattered again to the woman only a few steps away We had paid our dues to be together, and in the end, it was well worth it.

“You may kiss the bride.”

And it was a kiss to remember. It was dashing as Theo dipped his new bride gracefully, then smashed his mouth against hers in a dramatic way. The crowd went wild with loud cheers and claps of excitement. I felt a glimmer of amusement as my gallant best friend had all the women in the place swooning—especially Eden.

Hand in hand they greeted each and every friend and family member, determined to thank each individual for attending. The warmth and genuine charisma they both oozed drew people in willingly.

As the ceremony moved to the reception, the bar opened and the band started to play “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé. I hopped on stage, grabbing the microphone.

“I’m proud to introduce Mr. And Mrs. Theodore Grant!”

As they both arrived, Theo twirled her under his arm in time with the music.

Show-off.

But I could not have been happier for the couple, who were my dear friends. I jumped down to escort the beautiful maid of honor, but not before landing a blistering kiss on her mouth. I swallowed the moan that escaped her body, and once we broke apart, I whispered sensual promises of what was to come.

“You’re looking pretty damn gorgeous in that dress, Madison.”

She just smiled back at me, no doubt remembering our earlier encounter.

The party would soon be in full swing. Dark suits mingled with pretty gowns, drinks flowed, the bar filled, and the popcorn machine attracted several guests, who were in line waiting. Guests were also snapping pictures throughout the proceedings with the supplied cameras.

Once darkness had come, the evening air blew a cool breeze in. The heaters stood tall, positioned throughout the party, raining warmth down on the guests as they roamed freely.

The house was lit up with golden lights, and the glow resonated throughout. It blended seamlessly with the combined lanterns and the twinkle of the trail, leading to the promised land. We watched as other friends stood—just as we had—face-to-face on the altar. Anyone in love couldn’t resist. It was if two souls were coming together as one under that sacred arch.

The first dance came quickly as both Theo and Eden stepped upon the little dance floor above the pool. The water beneath the clear structure looked magical as they swayed to “All of Me,” by John Legend. Theo’s stance traditional at first as they danced to the music, but then they broke out into a full-blown waltz, wowing the crowd. I had to admit that I was impressed.

The water below created an aqua color, which reflected against the lights above, and the underwater lights below it created a glimmering effect. The bride and groom’s penetrating gazes as they faced each other was nothing short of pure passion. Once the song ended, the band leader encouraged everyone else to join in. I reached for Madison’s hand and led her to the floor, pulling her in close.

“Theo and Eden waltzed!”

Was she hinting that my two-step was subpar?

“You’re actually resorting to peer pressure right now?”

She laughed, her head now on my shoulder. Our bodies pressed against one another, swaying in time to the beat.

“My moves improve horizontally, you know.” Her sweet giggle fell on my neck as she nuzzled in closer. “Don’t deny it.”

“I assure you, I won’t.”

We’re interrupted as the old iron bells rung, signally that the dinner tent had opened. Guests could come and go as they pleased now. The large white serving tent awaited. The large chafing dishes held a wide variety of dishes: filet mignon bites, cracked lobster tails, an assortment of pasta sauces—both red and white—several salads, vegetables, freshly baked breads, and flavored butter. The line grew quickly, led by Eden and Theo. We followed soon after and sat at their table.

Their three-tier wedding cake was simple white on white, and one bouquet of iced flowers dripped along just the one side. Cameras flashed as the bride and groom cut their first piece and gracefully placed samples in each other’s mouths. The sinful look Theo gave Eden could have melted the icing.

We all danced, drinks in hand, and sang along to whatever song the band was playing. I stood to the side on the stage, waiting to give my best man speech that had been pushed back due to everyone’s hunger. I had a few, but thanks to dinner, I was far from drunk. I couldn’t say the same for many of the other guests.

Suddenly a lone figure approached from the shadows like he owned the place. Concern sliced through me instantly, like warning bells, yet I just stood and watched, contiplating his intensions, as if it was a dream. I observed him emerging in slow motion, as he shoved the first man in his way away and pushed the next man aside, I saw him harshly removing any obstacles in his path. He was focusing solely on his goal. The confidence rolling off him was callous in nature—brutal, cold-blooded. I knew only one man with those particular qualities, and my heart pounded with a surge of fear and morbid curiosity.

I closed my eyes for a moment and reopened them, trying to focus, trying to process what was about to happen. Finally, realization hit me instantly as the pieces fell into place. Panic struck me, and I sobered instantly.

His hand landed on Madison’s arm viciously, yanking her from the dance floor. Rage burned through my veins knowing I couldn’t get to her in time. I searched for both Theo and Steel, but no luck. The crowd was too deep. I could only watch as the bile rose in my stomach.

As Madison faced her greatest fear, Graham had her exactly where he wanted her, pressed against his hard chest. His arm wrapped tightly against her neck, effectively imprisoning her. The gun—a .38 revolver—was pointed to her head as he shouted.

“Don’t move! Don’t anybody fucking move.”

There was a crazed look on his face, and his bloodshot eyes were livid. Beneath them sat hollowed-out dark circles. Rage and venom seethed inside him, and I knew he was capable of anything.

A few guests immediately bolted for the door. The commotion created a heightened sense of panic, and mass confusion set in. Suddenly, Graham spun around, aiming at the crowd, screaming at them to stay where he could see them. I was suffocating in blinding fury, fighting the urge to charge him.

“You can’t stop the inevitable!” he shouted. His fury was pulsing through the air, unleased like tear gas.

I watched helplessly as the blood drained from Madison’s face. As fear snuck down my spine, my pulse raced, and my anxiety skyrocketed. I was close, but not close enough. Hopelessness radiated off of me as our eyes met, and her reaction was visible on her face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as he took several steps back. She stumbled, but his arm only tightened, blocking her airway passage. I flinched as her knees buckled.

“Stand up, Madison!” I shouted feebly, unsure if it would help.

She fought to balance herself, and finally got both of her feet steady. Then she gripped both of her hands, digging viciously into Graham’s arm.

He didn’t acknowledge the pain as blood trickled down his forearm.

“Her destiny is with me!” he yelled, as blame rose within me. I questioned if I somehow had brought this on upon myself. Madison was paying the price for my sins, for what I had done, for my need for revenge against this evil man. Now this was the price I would pay.

“Deliver us from evil?” He laughed manically. “Not today!”

His ranting was raw, irrational, and fucked-up. There would be no reasoning with him, because he was not sane. I knew it would all end violently somehow, but the question was, whose fate would end today?

From my perch, out of the corner of my eye, I could see Theo suddenly moving without interference, without being seen. He bravely got Eden to safety behind a bolder by the pool’s landscape. Yet, I sensed he was willing to pounce, if given half the chance.

And in that split second that I had looked away, the entire scene had shifted.

Madison’s father had moved in tactically in a brave attempt to strategically disarm Graham. Both men were military, but Graham was younger, stronger, and more determined. He easily won the battle of wills as they fought over the woman between them.

The struggle between the two men went on, and Madison was helpless in the middle. Then the fight began to intensify as the two men, who had been trained for the brutality of war, went for each other.

When the gun suddenly went off, Madison screamed. I could hear the terror in her voice as my heart cracked in two. Both Madison and her father fell to the ground. Blackness swirled around me as Madison crawled on her knees, trying to reach her bleeding father.

People starting screaming and running, tripping and stumbling, desperately trying to find safety. I felt as if I was moving in slow motion. The ringing in my ears was trying to break the spell, but my mind was clouded by the sound of gunfire.

I heard Michelle gasp in horror as terror claimed her. James laying still on the ground, bleeding. I watched in shock as the world seemed to take him under. I felt powerless, my mind foggy, refusing to believe what my eyes had just witnessed. My heart raced, forcing me back to the present moment, alerting me that the nightmare was real and far from over.

I needed to get to Madison. Knowing this was a bad idea, I still inched my way closer, slowly dragging my body toward her and her unconscious father.

Suddenly Grant’s head jerked around and his gun turned on me. I recoiled as a sick smile crossed his face, and my panic was instant. None of this seemed real.

“You, I’ll spare. I want you to live, to feel the pain of another man taking the woman you love. That’s right, Storm. Tonight, she’ll be in my fucking bed.”

“You’ll have to kill me first.”

I stood, ready to take the bullet as I lunged forward, hitting the ground, rolling closer to her, yet protected by a concrete wall. I waited for my next opportunity.

Guests were still scattering, running for cover, or hiding behind the lush landscaping. But Graham couldn’t reach Eden now. Several friends lay close to her, protecting her. Gage’s body was completely wrapped around hers.

In a panic, Graham yanked the arm of the most vulnerable, weakest person near him—Jordon. Then he held her in the same manner as Madison. I could hear my brother in the distance, but his words were unrecognizable. A defiant move on her part would cost her her life.

“Let me go!” she screamed, but that only whetted his appetite.

“It’s Madison I want. Send her to me, and this one will go free. We have some unfinished business, her and I.”

But Madison was pressing on her father’s wound, unwilling to leave his side.

“Give me the bitch!” Graham screamed again. His spit was flying, his grip tightening, prolonging Jordon’s agony. “Or I’ll fucking kill her!”

Then he clamped his hand over Jordon’s mouth, muffling her cries. She fought to draw a breath, but she had no energy left. She was fading in the arms of the devil.

The room remained riveted as the horror played out before their eyes. Everyone was in shock, unable to save the girl. Unable to act.

 

Steel

 

Evil had arrived. It was as if a silent voice had spoken, only heard within the pits of hell, where Graham Carrington lived. His goal was to capture and escape, but it was poorly planned.

It always came, the self-righteous warning. It waited for you, so I had to be ready. I was ready: fearless and invincible. Adrenaline was the drug I chased.

This fuck-up had a look of calculated evil, and the soldier in him was determined. He knew keeping the guest on the dance floor allowed a human shield of protection. He had no problem striking as the crowd danced, a dozen innocent people in his line of sight.

But today he would pay with his life. I’d kill him. A muscle pulsed in my jaw. To live a life with such intensity took a man unafraid of death, of gruesome possibilities. I was that man.

His desperation was failing. Killing this girl, Jordon, served no purpose. He would fail his mission. His eyes were dark and empty, altering his hard features. The bastard deserved what he got. He had no respect for life, and he was weak. I despised weak.

I had made a grave mistake allowing him to live during our last encounter. I wouldn’t let that happen today.

I leveled my gun, the pressure mounted, and there was no room for error. Then there were several beats of silence as I breathed in deeply.

My Glock 27 in hand, I slid my forefinger, softly caressing the trigger, ready to squeeze, steadying myself as I aimed, I exhaled slowly expelling my breath, and there the opportunity followed. There was slight pressure as I pulled the trigger.

BOOM.

A faint light flickered off the barrel.

One shot in the head, the brain stops functioning immediately. In a fraction of a second, he was gone. I watched his gun drop immediately as he followed. Then Jordon began to fall, and I heard her scream. I dove over tables and rocketed through time and space to reach her before she hit the ground.

My voice was quiet, gentle even.

“I’ve got you.”

As I swooped her into my arms, I could feel her body trembling against mine. We locked eyes I saw the silent plea in her deep amber eyes. She was traumatized.

“It’s okay. It’s over now, and you’re safe.”

I cupped the side of her pale face. She was unraveling, so I drew her closer into my arms. She smiled and held my gaze, searching it. I watched her cheeks warm with color. My tenderness had not gone unnoticed by her—or by everyone else.

“My Powerful Protector,” she said as she glanced up at me, the man she thought I was.

I cursed softly as her hand touched my face. It felt like a punch to the gut.

Who was this woman?

I could taste it, the powerful magnetic force between us. The allure was potent, and for one heart-stopping moment I let her in. My body instantly coiled tight, twisting with need.

Shut it down.

And with that, my expression went dark.

“Did someone call 911?” I yelled.

They said to never let the enemy see your soul, but she wasn’t the enemy—was she? She was only a woman, after all. A woman in a life-threatening situation. It meant nothing.

“Can someone take over here?”

A man dashed my way.

“And you are?

“Ben Storm,” he answered, taking her from my arms.

I sensed a possessive twinge of jealously from the man.  

What I had shared with the woman was only a moment in time, something fleeting.

 

***

 

When the police arrived, I voluntarily dropped to my knees and held my hands up, palms facing them.

“I’m the shooter. There’s a weapon in my back waistband.”

I was still ordered to hit the ground, which I did willingly. Then they handcuffed me.

Fuck.

I knew from experience that once the police arrived on scene, they would be better equipped to handle the situation. But there was no doubt that I’d be carted off for questioning. Routine, of course. It wouldn’t be my first time.

“Terrible series of events, officers. The perp threatened two women, and shot one man.”

“And you are?”

I watched as another officer checked for life. I already knew what he’d find.

“Hired security. There’s a card in my pack pocket.”

They reached in and pulled it out.

“Mr. Archer, we will be escorting you to the station.”

Then the homicide unit arrived. They viewed the crime scene, and started interviewing the guests, who were now witnesses. The yellow tape surrounded the perimeter of the house, holding back the curious onlookers, but a crowd pushed and shoved anyway, gawking. The blue interior tape fluttered in the breeze as it surrounded the body.

Even with the chaos still stirring around me, I analyzed the situation. I had made mistakes and unforeseen this as a possibility. I realized that bringing more man power, would have been the better call.

I felt no remorse for taking Graham Carrington down. It was a legitimate kill.

The crime scene technicians arrived, collecting evidence, but I knew what they would find. The body lay still as I walked past the blood pooling from his wound.

In the front yard, the medical examiner waited, knowing she would be the last one on the scene tonight.

 

***

 

Once at the station, everything ran smoothly. I called my right-hand man, Flynn, and he would be on his way shortly.

My story stuck. The twenty-plus eyewitnesses interviewed all supported my version of the events. The word hero was even thrown around, but fuck that. I had just been doing my job. No innocent bystanders would go down, not on my watch.

“Am I free to go?”

I knew I would be released without charges.

“How many times does this make, Steel?” Flynn asked when he arrived. “You owe me.”