Empire of Revenge

Chapter - Six

Serafine—POV

An officiant stood at the altar, waiting for us. Zavier faced me, his gaze dragging over me again, slow and deliberate, as if he hadn't already seen me earlier.

I hated it. I wanted to throw daggers at him.

Camera drones hovered too close, invading my space, while I stood there pretending to be in love with this asshole. So I smiled.

Jero stepped aside, and I walked the rest of the way to the small stage.

Zavier extended his hand, that effortless smile already back in place. I took my position opposite him, even as everything inside me burned darker.

The lifeless faces of my parents haunted me. Every time I looked at him, the memories crawled back, dragging nightmares with them. Yet he smiled warmly, every expression flawless. A classic actor, playing his role to perfection. Jero moved to Zavier's side as his best man. Madison stood behind me as my bridesmaid, dressed in a soft pink halter gown. The officiant cleared his throat.

“Keep it brief, officiant. We don't have much time,” Zavier said. The officiant nodded a little too. Quickly, looking as frantic as I felt.

As if he were just as afraid to be here.

I glanced around the venue. The Ventura gazebo stood empty. Not a single wedding guest had shown up. Why weren't they here? After all, he wasn't just the heir anymore. He was the ruling head of the Ventura family.

“Family and friends, we're gathered here today to witness a promise. A promise to choose each other in both the good and the difficult moments.

Love is not just a feeling; it is a decision. And today, Zavier Ventura and Serafina Montavaro choose that together. Do you take each other to stand side by side, no matter what comes?”

“I do,” Zavier said without hesitation.

I paused. His eyes snapped to mine, sharp, cold, and warning. I thought of everything at stake. Kael's face surfaced in my mind.

“I do,” I said, forcing a smile.

“Exchange the rings,” the officiant said.

Madison handed me the ring while Zavier pulled his from his jacket. The first gunshot cracked through the air. Zavier grabbed my hand roughly and fast and slid the ring onto my finger. I did the same.

“By the power vested in me,” the officiant said, his voice shaking, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Then he turned and ran for cover.

“Stay alert, assassin princess,” he muttered. “Try not to get killed.”

With that, he pulled a gun from the back of his waistband.

Another shot rang out.

Guards scrambled for cover, weapons raised as they returned fire.

“Who the hell are we fighting?” I snapped.

“It looks like the head of a rival family I refused to ally with through marriage wants to show me exactly what I turned down,” he snapped.

“How did they breach a place this secure?” I asked.

Zavier fired another shot before answering.

“My grandfather wants to teach me a lesson. Scare you. Or maybe kill you in the process so he can marry me off to the woman of his choice.”

Of course. I drew my weapon and fired without hesitation. The attackers moved in fast. Too many of them. We were outnumbered. Zavier covered my flank while Jero and Madison moved in sync, returning fire.

One shot. Bullseye. Taking down one guy. Another shot. Then another.

Three guys dropped in quick succession as they rushed toward me.

“Damn, she’s good with a gun,” Jero muttered.

Zavier rolled his eyes. His weapon jammed. He didn’t hesitate, just swung it, knocking the attacker’s gun aside and driving a punch straight into him.

Jero was already deep in close combat.

Madison too. Then one of them came at me, big, solid, and built like a tank. He knocked the gun out of my hand and struck hard. Pain flared across my face. My vision blurred for a second.

I hit the ground with a sharp groan. He loomed over me, gun aimed straight at my chest.

“Shame,” he said mockingly. “Dying on your wedding day.”

Regaining my senses, adrenaline running high, I knocked him off balance. A shot rang out. I rolled just before the body dropped over me. I pushed myself up, steady despite the ache, but the gown

“You okay, assassin princess?” Zavier called, mockery laced in his voice.

His smirk annoyed me.

“You still have a lot to learn,” he added.

I shot him a glare and got off the ground.

“I had it handled,” I snapped, grabbing another gun.

Zavier’s gaze locked onto me, sharp and focused. Over his shoulder, I spotted a man aiming at me. But Zavier stood directly in the line of fire.

I should let him die. That was the plan, wasn’t it? He could die, but at the hands of someone else. Not like this. No one gets to kill him but me. I raised my gun. My mind screamed at me to take the shot.

To kill Zavier. But Kael’s face flashed through my mind, and I remembered Jero had a button that could kill him on the spot. I couldn’t take that risk.

Zavier raised his gun too. Two shots rang through the air.