Hollow Veins: A Dark Reverse Harem Romance (Sabre Security Book 3), page 20
London is full of quirky surprises. This one may be even better than Theo’s abandoned underground carriage, tucked out of sight in a bustling neighbourhood.
On the outskirts of the city, the destroyed ruins of a mid-eighteenth-century church have been left undisturbed. Crumbled limestone slabs and smashed stained glass litter the grounds.
With the sun hanging low in the sky, the state of desolation is lit with tiny glowing lights strung to every piece of rubble and the beams exposed by the collapsed roof. The effect is mesmerising.
It’s a carcass, dressed in light.
I’ve never seen such imperfect beauty.
Enzo pulls up outside the venue then kills the car’s engine. He’s quiet today, his posture carved with obvious emotion. This is a big day for him too. His little sister is getting married.
“Can you guys give us a sec?” he asks thickly.
“Of course.” I step out, holding the door for Janet and Teegan. “We’ll be here when you’re ready.”
Remaining inside the car, I watch Enzo turn to speak to Brooklyn. His words for her are private. She laughs and has to wipe even more tears aside. The pair hug tight before joining us.
“I think I’ve cried all my makeup off.” Brooklyn smooths a hand over her dress. “I’m not sure I can do this.”
I tuck a loose curl behind her ear. “We’re going to be with you every single step of the way. Your boys are waiting in there for you.”
She takes an uneven breath. “I’m about to be a wife … and a mum soon too. I never thought I’d see either of those things happen.”
“You deserve this, B,” Teegan says. “The girl I met in Blackwood didn’t want to mean anything to anyone. But look at this beautiful family you have instead.”
“I’m damn lucky, aren’t I?”
Enzo joins us on the pavement. “You sure as fuck are.”
He looks good enough to eat in black trousers and a matching pressed shirt, gaping open at the neck with no tie in sight. His amber eyes are almost glowing, and his smile is incandescent.
Janet snaps a quick photo on her phone before tucking it away. “I am so proud of you, Brooke. I’ll see you inside.”
Letting her head inside to join the other guests, Enzo checks in with security, who maintain a water-tight perimeter. After our close call in Shoreditch, he arranged an additional twenty agents for security.
Satisfied that we’re secure, he takes his place at Brooklyn’s side, though his apprehension is still clear. The police arrested dozens of people last night, but many fled too fast.
“Ready?”
She nods. “I am. Please don’t let me fall over.”
“I wouldn’t dare, wildfire.”
The roar of guitars and thumping rock music invites us inside. Teegan stands next to me, linking our arms before handing me a black-rose bouquet to carry.
“Is that Bring Me The Horizon?” she laughs.
Brooklyn accepts Enzo’s arm to hold. “Like I’d walk down the aisle to anything else. Eli chose the song, though.”
“Of course, he did.”
Stepping inside the ruins, the flicker of hundreds of red-wicked candles on the stone floor light the early evening shadows. I hold on to Teegan as we walk to the heavy beat of music.
There aren’t many guests, only family and friends. I spot the guys first, their heads all straining to catch sight of me. Leighton and Hunter stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Theo behind.
But nothing compares to the five stunned faces at the head of the church, their mouths all hanging open as they spot their bride for the first time.
Brooklyn’s men are dressed in matching, all-black suits and dark-red bowties. They’ve all cleaned up—even Phoenix has styled his currently lime-green hair into a semi-tidy state.
When he thinks no one is looking, Jude brushes a stray tear from his cheek. Kade notices and punches him in the arm as Hudson kisses him, fighting his own smile.
After completing our walk, we hug each of the guys then take our places on the left-hand side.
“Thank you,” Jude says to us. “You both look amazing.”
“Purple suits you both,” Hudson agrees.
Teegan sticks her tongue out at him. “Eyes on the prize, Hud.”
He looks back at the incoming spectacle, his mouth slack. Brooklyn and Enzo walk down the aisle with all eyes trained on them. I’ve never seen Enzo look so bloody proud before.
Brooklyn’s fighting another wave of tears as he kisses her cheeks and hugs her so tight, it must creak her bones, before handing her off to Kade. Theo makes room for Enzo next to him.
The guys take turns greeting their bride, exchanging kisses and secret whispers. Watching them together is mesmerising. For all their sharp barbs, their love is incomparable.
Kade turns to face everyone. “Thanks for coming, everyone. This isn’t a normal wedding. Nor is it a legal one. We wanted to do this our way with all of our loved ones here to watch.”
Standing opposite them, Brooklyn lets Kade take her hands first. He ducks to kiss her knuckles and gives her a boyish smile.
“The day we met, I thought you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Even when you shut me down. I’m so glad I didn’t take no for an answer.”
She sniffles. “Me too. You saved my life, Kade.”
“I’ll spend the rest of our lives keeping the promise I made to you all those years ago.” He looks down at her midsection. “I love you and our baby. Thank you for being mine.”
Teegan steps forward to hand Brooklyn the white-gold ring, engraved with a secret message inside that none of us have seen. She shakily slides it onto Kade’s finger then kisses him.
“I love you.”
“Ditto, love.”
After another kiss, Kade steps back to let his brother move forward. In typical Hudson style, he sweeps Brooklyn backwards until she’s bent over in his arms to accept the smack of his lips.
“Words have never been my strong suit,” he says with a short laugh. “I’m not sure I ever deserved your love or forgiveness, but I will never take either for granted. You’re my whole fucking world.”
Stepping forward, I pull the next ring from my dress’s built-in pocket and hand it over. Brooklyn slots it into place on his finger.
“Can’t get rid of me now,” Hudson smarts.
“Looks like it. We’re stuck together for life.”
“I’ve wanted that since we were sixteen years old.” He smiles down at the wedding ring. “Always and forever, blackbird.”
Sealing the deal with a kiss, he’s reluctant to release her so Phoenix and Eli can step forward together. Like they’d ever dare to do anything apart. These two are a package deal.
They take one of Brooklyn’s hands each, their bodies so in tune, they move like shadows of each other. Phoenix keeps one arm wrapped around Eli’s waist, but he lets him go first.
“Baby girl,” Eli rasps just loud enough for us to hear. “I wanted to thank you for giving me a voice again. For making me strong and for showing me what it means to be loved.”
Teegan hands Brooklyn the next ring, and she hesitates, lifting her dress to reveal the penknife stuck inside the black lace garter.
“Donec mors nos separaverit,” Brooklyn murmurs. “Until death do us part, Elijah. Nothing will ever change that.”
With the sweetest smile bringing out the emerald green of his eyes, Eli accepts his ring then captures her in a whirlwind kiss that communicates all they don’t want to say aloud.
“I’m still terrified of being a dad, though,” Eli admits with a tiny laugh. “Like, petrified.”
“If this baby has half of the beautiful soul inside you, we’re on to a winner,” she says into his lips. “Trust me.”
“Always,” he echoes.
Phoenix steps into the mix and kisses Eli first, burying a hand in his dark crop of curls. Brooklyn’s mouth surrenders to him next, tying the three of them together.
“What he said,” Phoenix jokes. “I’m not sure how any of us ever survived without you in our lives. Good thing we’ll never have to find out.”
“Don’t speak too soon.” Brooklyn accepts the next ring from me. “I may trade you in for a younger model yet, Nix.”
“Good luck getting rid of me. I’m notoriously difficult to remove once I’ve latched on.”
“Don’t we know it,” Eli comments.
Brooklyn wiggles the ring onto Phoenix’s finger, then the three of them crash together, kissing and hugging. I swear, I catch the shimmer of a tear running down Eli’s cheek.
His smile is the biggest I’ve seen so far. He’s always carried his sadness around with him, even in his happiest moments. But right now, joy is flowing off him in waves.
When they eventually part, there’s just one person remaining. Most of the occupants of the abandoned church are in tears—including Kade’s mum and his sister, Cece, in the front row with her boyfriend, Ajax.
None of us knew what to expect for this ceremony beyond the unconventional. There’s no scripture or bullshit, semi-sexist vows in sight. Just love, respect and honesty in their purest forms.
Sat a few seats behind them, Leighton has an arm slung around his brother’s shoulders. Theo’s doing his best to relay their vows in rapid sign language with Hunter’s smile showing his appreciation.
“Jude,” Brooklyn calls. “Come here.”
Lingering at the edge of the group, Jude appears the most nervous of them all, at total odds with his usual veneer of self-assuredness. Flashes of his tortured alter ego still filter through at times.
Teegan hands the last ring over to be slotted into place, and Brooklyn takes his right hand instead. The smooth stump of his missing left hand is tucked into his pocket.
“Saving the best until last?” Jude laughs.
Her lips crinkle in a smile. “I knew you’d be the most nervous. I just wanted to make you wait.”
“Sadistic much?”
“Only for you, Sev.”
Holding his hand tight, she gently slides the ring into place. “You kept me alive when nothing else in the world could’ve convinced me to take another breath.”
Jude nods, not trusting himself to speak.
“I vow to spend the rest of my life repaying you for holding my hand through the darkest of times.”
Stepping back into the mix, Hudson pulls a ring box from the pocket of his suit jacket. He offers it to Jude. Nestled amongst blood-red velvet is the most stunning ring I’ve ever seen.
The gold band is embedded with tiny, dark green emeralds, perfectly contrasting the black-diamond of Brooklyn’s engagement ring. It’s totally unique and one of a kind.
“We chose it together,” Kade reveals.
Taking the ring from the box, Jude carefully slides it onto her finger. “Will you take us to be your fucked up, over-controlling, somewhat mentally unstable husbands?”
She throws her arms around his neck. “I fucking do.”
The ruins of the church erupt in raucous applause. Everyone is on their feet, clapping and shouting in celebration. It’s a deafening roar that bounces off the crumbling structure.
Brooklyn kisses each of her men again, then they all turn to face the crowd as a united front, their hands linked together. I can barely see through my streaming tears.
“Let’s go party!” Phoenix yells.
The applause intensifies, and they lead the way through the broken church to the courtyard outside that’s lit with more clusters of red candles. I hang back.
Theo is the first one to catch up to me. “You did well, beautiful.”
I hide my face in his neck, letting people slip past us to enjoy the last glimmers of sunshine. The warmth of bodies presses around me as the others join us for a group hug.
With all of their hands touching my body, hope swells deep inside the coldest pits of my heart. If Brooklyn and her men can make it work against the odds, so can we.
“Drinks?” Leighton suggests hopefully.
I swipe beneath my eyes to clean the trails of mascara. “Make mine a double.”
CHAPTER 17
HUNTER
HOMEMADE DYNAMITE – LORDE
Sitting at our corner table, the flicker of hundreds of candles lights the night air. Tiny lanterns are strung between willow trees and huge branches, adding to the romantic glow.
I wish I could hear the music everyone sways to on the paved area that’s turned into a makeshift dance floor. Instead, all I have is my own silent breathing.
It’s enough.
Nothing can ruin this moment for me. Not even the gaping loneliness that’s been clawing at my chest for months. We don’t get much cause to celebrate in our lives.
But tonight?
We’re fucking alive.
Knocking back my glass of red wine, I stand to head for the dance floor. My parents are locked in a waltz, having arrived a little late but keen to celebrate the family’s day.
Behind them, Brooklyn is caught in a gentle sway between Phoenix and Eli, looking so goddamn content it hurts my soul. Not everyone we rescue makes it, but she has.
We can be proud of that.
Searching through the dancing throng, I spot Harlow’s shimmering, purple dress in the back corner. She’s drinking wine with Kade and his sister, the three of them laughing about something.
As if she can sense my attention, her eyes search through the crowd then land on me. The smile that tugs at her lips is breathtaking.
I crook a finger, beckoning her over. Making a swift exit, she finishes her drink and ditches it to approach me. I extend a hand, silently inviting her to dance.
I don’t need to hear the stupid music. The sheen of happiness glowing in her eyes will be my melody. It speaks loudly enough.
Her lips move on a word. “France?”
I frown at her.
She shakes her head with another laugh. “Dance?”
“Oh.” I take her hand and draw her close. “I happen to be an excellent dancer. But only for special occasions.”
Harlow’s hand moves to cup the back of my neck, then she presses against my chest, flashing delectable cleavage that beckons my eyes down. I think my heart stopped the moment I saw her earlier.
My lips touch her ear. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
With a smile, her mouth trails up my throat, planting feverish kisses until her lips meet mine. She replies with touch alone. It speaks far better than words now.
I twirl her around, moving in a slow, languid rhythm to the chasm of utter silence. She steers our turns, guiding me by the sounds I can no longer recognise.
In my head, I can remember all the sound fragments I cherish more than anything. The high, timid tinkle of her voice when we first met. The hammering of her heartbeat. Her contagious laugh.
The sounds are still there.
Locked up safe.
That doesn’t stop grief from strangling my throat like spikes of barbed wire, though. I would give anything in the entire fucking world to hear her laugh one more time. Anything. Even my life.
She was the one strobe of light in my dreary, black-and-white world after Alyssa’s death. Everything and nothing have changed since then. Harlow is still my compass, guiding me through the night.
With one hand, she points to me and draws an invisible circle in the air to sign her question. It’s easier now to piece the words together in sign language.
“Are you okay?”
I swallow the burning lump in my throat. “I really wish you’d stop asking me that.”
Her gaze doesn’t waver, still seeking an answer.
“Fine. I want to experience this like everyone else is.”
Sadness invades her blue eyes.
“No,” I blurt. “I don’t need you to feel sorry for me, sweetheart. I’m having a good time. It’s just … not all there.”
Gaze hardening with conviction, she takes my hand and steers me past dancing guests. At the front of the courtyard, a DJ is playing songs behind a professional setup of decks.
There’s a full-sized speaker blasting music to the wedding party, almost as tall as me. Harlow guides me over to it then stops.
“Listen,” she signs.
I stifle a laugh. “I can’t fucking hear, remember?”
With an eye roll, she lifts my hand and places it on top of the hole-spotted casing of the speaker. Immediately, all of my other senses are drowned out by the sensation.
Vibrations pulse through my palm, exploding across my skin until I’m tingling all over. Each time the bass in the track plays, it thumps through the speaker and my hand.
I can feel it.
Hear it.
Breathe it.
Ignoring the fact that I must look like a lunatic, I wrap an arm around the speaker and press my ear to it. The effect is so intense, I could cry from the sheer sense of relief.
The vibrations are rattling through my bones. Head to toe. Beat after beat. The hum of the music slips beneath my skin and surges its way up my spinal cord to be composed by my mind.
Harlow’s fingers move in a semi-circle. “Music.”
I’m glad the only light comes from the lanterns and candles. No one can see the tears I have to blink away. Months of numbness are forgotten in a single moment of bliss.
Grabbing Harlow’s waist, I hold her close, and we sway to the music. She’s listening with her ears while I listen with my soul. Together, the soundtrack is complete.
The need to show her how much this means to me is so strong, I have to fight the urge to tear the silk from her body and bend her over in front of the entire crowd.
She’s like a drug to me—potent and life-destroying in all its addictive power. I’d tear down civilisations and slaughter whole armies to get my next fix.
“Sweetheart,” I growl.
Harlow glances up at me. Her features are softened by alcohol, the oceanic depths of her eyes glassy with slight inebriation. I can feel the wine humming in my veins too.
Her lips move on a word I can recognise. “Yes?”
“I’m done dancing.”
Clutching the lapels of my shirt, she searches around, her gaze landing on Enzo. He’s talking to Phoenix’s grandma, Pearl, and avoiding the cigarette smoke she blows in his face.
