His Twisted Heart by Ellie R Hunter

Chapter Fifty-One

Victoria

Though I can’t hear the music, or the old ladies’ laughter, I can feel the excitement and happiness. My bachelorette party is at the main house, and Luca’s bachelor party is over in the bar. Since I want the whole traditional thing, we’re going to be spending the night apart.

My mom and Alannah have gone all out, and the decorations look great. Vases of flowers are on every available surface. Flower garlands are hung around the downstairs. They really took my personality and rolled with it. Mom hit the wine a few hours ago, and is dancing in the middle of the living room. Alannah hit the tequila at the same time and is trying to keep her eyes open. Aspen passed out an hour ago after too much Vodka. Nina left to relieve the babysitter, and Kristen popped in to wish me luck and left shortly after.

Emma went to check on Penelope upstairs, and now she’s plonking herself down next to me.

Angling herself so she’s facing me, she signs, “Alcohol really is a killer, isn’t it?” We both look around and laugh.

“A bunch of lightweights,” I agree.

“How are you feeling about tomorrow?”

“I can’t wait.”

She chews on her lip. There’s something she wants to get off her chest, and I urge her along before she actually bites her frigging lip off.

“What is it?”

“This isn’t me, but Myles wants me to ask you if this is really what you want? Because if it isn’t, he said he can have you out of town where Luca will never find you. Or he can take Luca out and you can stick around.”

I burst out laughing. I appreciate my brother’s sentiment, but it’s not needed.

“Tell my brother thank you, but no thanks. I’m marrying Luca tomorrow, and there isn’t anything that’ll stop it.”

If I had my hearing, the door opening might’ve woken me. If I could hear, I would’ve heard him stumbling around the room in the dark, drunk, and failing to slip under the sheets to surprise me, but I don’t. I don’t know he’s in the room until he’s rearranging me to lie against him. I can smell the beer and tequila on his breath, and before I can turn the lamp on and talk with him, I can see in the moonlit darkness that he’s already asleep.

We’re meant to be staying apart tonight, and not seeing each other until the ceremony tomorrow. Or—looking at the clock on the nightstand—later today.

I should’ve known he’d sneak in at some point. I’m more than happy to snuggle against him and fall back to sleep in his arms.

I dream of broken visions, of Luca and I’s life together. And while some are of happy times, the dream morphs into a nightmare. Tears and blood, bullets and death hover on the edges of the visions, and I can’t find Luca anywhere.

I begin to shake, and then the nightmare has ended, and Luca is hovering over me, nudging my arm.

The sun is pouring through the window, but it still feels early.

“We’re getting married today,” Luca mouths with a beautiful smile on his face.

“You feeling up to it? You were pretty drunk when you stumbled in here a few hours ago,” I say after clearing my throat.

“Nothing will stop me from standing at the alter today—nothing,” he vows.

“You better brush your teeth. You smell like the bar after a party.”

Rolling his eyes, he settles on top of me, nudging my legs open to make room for himself.

“I’ve gotta go, but I wanna say I love you, and I can’t wait to marry you.”

“I love you too.”

He kisses me and rolls off, swaying on his feet when he’s standing. I giggle. I think he’s a little more hungover than he thought he was.

When he gets to the door, he stops and turns back to me, signing, “Don’t keep me waiting long.”

“I won’t.”

I fall back on the bed, smiling, wanting to burst out in giddy laughter. Today is my wedding day to Luca Jackson. I can’t believe this is happening. After all we’ve been through, I won’t be the one to keep him waiting. I’m as eager to get to the alter as he is to have me there.

Mom brings me breakfast in bed, and she hands me a soft velvet pouch. Ignoring the eggs and toast, I open the pouch and tip the contents onto my palm.

A sapphire set pendent.

“Your grandma left this to me before she died with instruction to pass it down to you when you got married. She wanted to be a part of the day, and she wanted you to know that she’s with you.”

I watch her hands, and a tear rolls down my cheek. She’s crazy. My grandma is always with me, no matter the day or occasion.

“It’s beautiful.”

Taking it from me, she hangs it on the mirror of the dresser and points to my breakfast.

“You’ll need your strength today. Eat, then shower, then it’s time to get you ready for your wedding.”

I’m so glad my mom is on board with this. I couldn’t imagine her not being a part of my day.

The morning becomes a blur of old ladies helping me with my make-up and helping to curl my hair and pinning it up with a few tendrils hanging free, framing my face. Mom clasps the pendent around my neck, and the old ladies make a fuss about how beautiful I look. I haven’t even gotten my dress on yet.

Glasses of champagne are passed around, but I turn mine down. I want to remember this clearly, and I’m buzzing enough already with excitement. Photos are taken, and it’s not a chore to smile for them. I want as many memories that are being made, and will be made today, documented as possible.

Alannah has her camera, and she isn’t afraid to click away. I’ve come to terms with the loss of my hearing, but at times like these, I wish so bad I could hear everyone.

Glancing at the clock hanging above the back door, I see it’s half past one already. The morning has flown by, and it’s time to put on my dress.

Only my mom and Alannah have seen my dress, and excitement courses through me for everyone else to see it.

Alannah ushers everyone out, and she and mom follow me up the stairs. Alannah’s kept the dress zipped up in the bag in her room to keep it hidden from any prying eyes, and she carries it through to the room I stayed in last night.

Luca and I aren’t ones for following tradition. We’ve adopted our fathers’ way of life, and it works for us. We wouldn’t have it any other way. But today, I want the wedding many women have. My wedding night underwear are lace to match half my dress. And while I’m not a virgin, it’s still white. Mom and Alannah hold the dress so I can step into it. I go from feeling sexy in the lingerie to a princess in the dress. I’ll most likely never wear such a dress again, and I’m going to enjoy it today.

They take an arm each, and I slip my arms through the lace sleeves as Mom moves around me to make sure the back is in place. With a few adjustments, I spin to face the mirror, and it’s my smile I can’t look away from.

I look so different, in a good way, and it’s not until Alannah steps beside me and clips the veil into my hair I look away. Three small white roses are laid on the dresser, and when she’s done, I pin them into my hair and step back in front of the mirror.

In the reflection, I see the door open, and my dad steps into the room.

He’s always been proud of me. He’s worried over me, been scared for me, and has always supported me in everything I’ve done, but right now, he’s on the verge of tears. I’ve never seen my dad cry.

“Wow.”

Chuckling, I feel the blush creeping over me, and I twirl to show him the full effect.

“You’re too beautiful for this world, baby girl,” he signs, and Mom and Alannah both nod in agreement.

“You’re perfect,” Mom coos.