Chapter 3

I didn't wait around like a fool for Cassian to come back the way I used to.

I'd already handed over all the legal files for the Family's businesses. All they needed was his final signature.

I left the originals with the consigliere, emailed him the digital copies, packed up my things, and walked out of the building.

That afternoon, I went to the wedding chapel we'd booked.

The wedding planner was still trying to talk me out of it. I gently cut her off. "The setup is perfect, but the wedding is off."

I signed the cancellation papers and handed back the booking receipt along with them.

Walking out of the chapel doors, I called a real estate agent and made an appointment to look at a new place out of state tomorrow morning.

Cassian didn't come back to our apartment all night.

I packed my ID and important documents into my suitcase. Before bed, I double-checked tomorrow's route for the apartment tour.

At seven the next morning, the doorbell rang.

I thought it was the cleaning service. I opened the door to find the syndicate's styling team carrying professional cases.

Behind them stood Paige, holding a pure white wedding dress.

"Congratulations, Irene."

I held onto the door, blocking the entryway. "What are you doing here this early?"

She smiled and held her lit phone screen right in my face.

On the screen was a mass invite sent to the allied Families for the wedding and reception.

The date had been changed to today.

I stared at the date on the screen and immediately called the chapel coordinator.

The planner sounded cheerful. "Cassian came by himself last night. He said there was no need to cancel the venue. He told us you were just upset he'd been busy lately and were having a little tantrum."

"He moved the ceremony up to today and gave strict orders to go all out, no matter the cost."

My fingers tightened around my phone.

"I signed a cancellation agreement yesterday, not a rescheduling notice."

"But Cassian said you two agreed on this. Guests from the other Families are already arriving..."

Paige reached out and pushed my hand down.

"Cassian pushed back all his sit-downs today and pulled all this together overnight. You can't still complain he doesn't care about you, can you, Irene?"

I shook off her hand and called Cassian directly.

He picked up almost instantly, though I could hear his men giving him low security briefings in the background.

"What's going on with the wedding today?"

"I meant to let you know last night, but I got busy and forgot. Just treat it as a surprise from me. Are you happy with it?"

"I know you've been looking forward to this for a long time. Today, I'm giving you the grand wedding you deserve. Be good and let the stylists get you ready. I'll be there soon."

I took a deep breath. "I'm not throwing a tantrum. I really want to break up with you."

"Hold on."

He pulled the phone away and turned to bark another order.

I called his name twice into the phone. Aside from heavy footsteps, there was no answer.

Paige was already directing the stylists to spread out the long train of the wedding dress.

I took a step back. "I'm not wearing it."

She glanced at her watch, the smile fading from her face.

"You can explain that to Cassian yourself. The capos and allies from every territory already got the word. If this turns into a joke today, someone's going to pay for it."

The roar of engines came from downstairs. I grabbed my phone and headed for the door, but Paige stepped in front of me to block the exit.

"You're going downstairs dressed like that? The Family's wedding cars are parked outside."

She tilted her head, motioning for the makeup artist to text Cassian.

"Who are you trying to embarrass?"

Barely two minutes later, the elevator doors slid open and Cassian strode in.

The earpiece was still in his right ear, and his tie hung loosely around his neck.

Seeing me still in my pajamas, he frowned.

Then he stepped forward, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me hard into his arms.

"I've been swamped lately and neglected you, I know. But the whole Family is watching downstairs today. Don't embarrass me out there, okay?"

I turned my head to pull away, but he gripped my shoulders and pushed me down onto the vanity stool. He leaned in and brushed a quick, distracted kiss against my temple.

"Be a good girl and put on the dress. If you're still mad, you can take it out on me in the bridal suite at the chapel. I'll let you."

Giving me no room to refuse, he raised his hand to tap his earpiece, turned around, and pushed the glass door open to step onto the balcony.

Paige stood by the full-length mirror, briskly ordering the stylists to get to work.

Cassian looked in through the glass door.

Paige flashed him an okay sign, and he looked away, relieved.

By the time the bridesmaids half-pushed, half-helped me downstairs, Cassian had already ducked into the backseat of the limo.

Paige opened the door and slid in next to him.

"I need to go over the security details for the reception with Cassian first. You get in on the other side."

The bridesmaid hurriedly lifted my skirt and helped me walk around to the left side of the car.

Through the half-open tinted window, I saw Cassian looking down at the tablet Paige had handed him. She tapped the screen, and he nodded along.

My hand had just touched the door handle when the car suddenly lurched forward.

The bridesmaid gasped and ran after it, slapping the back window.

"Stop the car! The bride isn't in yet!"

The limo didn't slow down at all. The SUVs behind it hit the gas and pulled away from the curb together, their engines roaring down the street.

I stood frozen at the bottom of the stone steps, still clutching the bouquet of white calla lilies in my hand.

Security guards peeked out from the lobby. "Why is the bride still here?"

Mortified, the bridesmaid pulled out her phone and called them. She frantically explained over and over that they'd left the bride behind.

A full ten minutes passed before the cars turned back.

Cassian finally pulled out his earpiece and rolled down the window.

"Why didn't you get in?"

His tone was casual, like the whole thing was no big deal.

I looked past him. Paige hadn't budged from her seat, the tablet still resting in her lap. She turned to rush me. "Hurry up, Irene. If we waste any more time, we're really going to miss the priest's blessing."

Cassian also casually reached a hand out the window.

"Just get in. Right after the ceremony, Paige and I have to rush to a closed-door sit-down with the East Side."

I stared at his hand hanging in mid-air and gritted my teeth.

"Cassian, are you done playing this game yet?"