Chapter 1 Wedding Crasher

{Faith}

“Ready?”

I nod behind the veil. “Yes!”

Odette, my stepmother, pats my back. “Don’t worry. Your father is watching over you.”

I swallow hard, clutching the bouquet in my hand.

The massive chapel doors open. Everyone in the chapel rises from their seats, but I do not look at them. I stare down the aisle at Matthew Montgomery, my groom.

This is it!

As the music plays, I walk slowly into the chapel. My nerves melt when Matthew smiles. He has his blond hair slicked back and is wearing a beige suit with a matching tie. When I get to the foot of the altar, he stretches out his hand to me. I smile, seeing the twinkle in his brown eyes.

“Hey…” I say shyly.

“You are so beautiful.”

My cheeks burn slightly. “You cleaned up nice.”

The officiating minister clears his throat and says a few words, but I am not really listening. I just wait impatiently to say my vows to Matthew—the man of my dreams.

“I love you, Faith St. Clair,” Matthew begins, squeezing my hands lovingly. “You are the light of my life and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in this marriage. I promise to cherish you and to make you happy all the days of your life.”

I blink back tears. “You are the Lord’s greatest blessing to me. I promise to be a good wife to you, an excellent mother to our kids, and your forever companion. I love you, Matthew Montgomery.”

“Now, is there anyone who objects to this union. Speak now or forever hold your peace!” the officiating minister says.

I hold my breath, saying a silent prayer. The chapel goes so quiet you can hear a pin drop.

“I object!”

My head snaps towards the door. A bunch of men in black match in on two separate lines. And then I see him.

Ace.

He takes long strides into the chapel, wearing black pants and a black shirt. The first few buttons of his shirt are undone and his sleeves rolled up, revealing the dark tattoo on his left forearm. Wisps of his black hair fall over his forehead.

He looks at me with evil blue eyes. “Hello, love.”

I frown. This is my first time meeting him, but I know him all too well. He’s Ace, the infamous crime boss and my father’s very own nemesis. Like cancer, he spreads his criminal activities all across Texas.

Why is he here? At my wedding! Hasn’t he caused enough harm to my family already?

I flip my veil over my head. “This is the house of the Lord! How dare you barge in here and create a scene?”

Ace crosses his heart and raises his clasped hands to the statue behind me. “Sorry, Jesus.”

“Now…” His gaze returns to me. “Where were we?”

“You are not invited here!” Matthew speaks up, taking my hand. “Leave, or we will call the cops!”

Ace chuckles. “Is that so?”

“Yes, leave!” Matthew replies, and I hear the fear in his voice.

Suddenly, the smile on Ace’s face disappears. He jerks his head to his men. They immediately climb the altar and snatch Matthew.

“Hey!” I scream as they punch him in the face and pin him to the floor.

“Let him go!” I order, facing the devil.

Ace shakes his head, flashing his vampire-like canine. “Not gonna happen.”

“Young man,” the officiating minister says, walking down the stairs. “If you have any grievances with the couple, we should settle them like God’s children.”

“Nah…” Ace sucks his teeth.

Then I see him pull out a gun and raise it above his head. “Party is over folks! Get out!”

Commotion breaks out in a split second. Screams come from all corners as the guests run in different directions.

I glare at him. “What shall it profit you to ruin my wedding?”

“Oh, it’s already ruined.” He smiles. “Don’t thank me.”

I look behind me to see the officiating minister slip through a side door unceremoniously. When I turn back, I am greeted by empty pews. Even my stepmother, the woman who raised me for nine years is nowhere to be found.

“Happy now?” My voice breaks.

His eyes zero in on me. He hands his gun to someone. Then he takes a step forward.

I flinch. “What are you doing?”

“Come on. I don’t bite.”

“But you kill, steal, and destroy!” I yell.

He stops. “Now, little preacher. Don’t you read your Bible correctly? That will be the devil, right?”

“You are just like him!”

“Hmm…” His smile returns. “I see your father told you all about me.”

“Don’t you dare speak about my father!”

“Why?” He opens his arms. “It’s not like he can hear us.”

His words sting. I clutch my dress, thinking back to the moment I watched my father die six months ago.

This devil killed him!

“Nuh-uh, Princess. Don’t cry.” He climbs the altar, bringing with him a glacier of ice-cold air.

My heart thunders against my chest. I will myself to move, but my feet are rooted to the spot. Ace reaches out. At the touch of his cold finger on my cheek, a jolt of electricity courses through me.

“Don’t you dare touch me again!” I slap his hand away.

Matthew shouts from the ground, “Leave her alone! She’s mine!”

“Not anymore!” Ace says without looking back.

In the blink of an eye, he sweeps me off my feet and slings me over his shoulder.

“Put me down!” I scream.

Ace descends the stairs. I kick and punch his back, but it’s like punching a brick wall with no gloves on.

“Matthew!” I stretch out my aching hand.

“Faith!”

One of Ace’s men slams his knee into Matthew’s back. He coughs out blood, falling back to the floor.

“No!”

The heavy doors slam shut in my face. Ace throws me into the backseat of a luxury car, then gets in after me. “Go!” he orders the driver.

“Let me out!” I kick and grab the door handle, but it doesn’t budge. Not even a little.

I am stuck.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

I see his sharp side profile for a moment before he turns. His gaze sends a shiver down my spine. I pull back, my back pressing against the window.

But he continues to come closer. He reaches out. Slowly, his finger strokes my chin. “I am just getting started, Princess.”