Wrath's Genesis

Chapter Six

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I thought I would hate the feel of lace against the skin of my arms and the appliques that fit my every curve and settled around my white Louboutin-clad feet. I thought the long, detachable train would be a bit too much. That the off-shoulder design that was all the more accentuated by the lace and buttoned bareback would be a little too over the top.

I did not, however, have the luxury of indulging in my childhood fantasies. I may not have been the quintessential girl who dreamt of her future wedding but I did have moments. Moments where I imagined a life other than the f****d up existence I had. Of the perfect, fairy tale wedding surrounded by friends and family. That I would be happy, madly in love with my future husband. He would save me from the despair of my past and the darkness that surrounded me.

I was now bound to the literal devil who would not only own my soul but my body too. A great price to pay for the safety of my friend. But I would do it again and again for the people I loved. In a heartbeat.

The church loomed before me, a grand Catholic Cathedral on the outskirts of the City that was famed for hosting Celebrity and prominent Politician's weddings. The affluence of the place did not come as a surprise for me. I was sure the guest list would be filled with the same kind of A-list individuals, heck, maybe more.

I had never been a big fan of churches. My mother would probably kick my ass for saying just that but I meant it. I was the daughter of a devote catholic. A Hispanic mother who ensured I always said my Hail Mary's and confessed my sins to the beady-eyed, fat-f**k priest who never stopped hitting on little girls and boys, myself included.

Oh yeah, I hate the Catholic Church. I guess it's fitting, though, that I'll be f*****g everything up right here.

A chuckle escaped my lips, prompting my best friend to glance at me in absolute surprise and worry. She was probably sure I was losing it. I wasn't sure I was okay anymore but that was not an issue I could prioritize with my nuptials only minutes away.

"I know I said it yesterday but I meant it. We can leave right now. We can run. f**k the guards. I did do a little martial arts in high school. I may not remember everything. Heck, I'll probably suck at it but we will get out. Somehow."

Ashley looked genuinely ready to plow through the guards standing behind us like my knight and shining armor. The determination that shone in her eyes comforted me. I knew she would do literally anything for me as I would for her. She would attack the scary-looking, suit-clad men in a heartbeat and probably get shot in the process.

Yeah, we can't reenact the red wedding here...That probably comes in a little later...

"Thank you, Ash. Really. But I'll be just fine. I'm ready."

I hated lying to her. I really did but I had no choice. I knew she sensed the BS. Had been scenting it since we got drunk on Gin cocktails for my PG-rated bachelorette party-thank God for afternoon weddings- but she let it go as soon as she realized I wasn't going to reveal the stuff that could potentially get her water-boarded.

Her perceptive nature was actually advantageous this time. She knew she needed to let it go. At least for now.

Her reluctance was momentary, her eyes relaying that I could trust her to accept anything that I had to tell her. She wasn't my best friend in this moment but the Doctor who'd managed to do so much good in the psychiatry world. She was treating me like one of her patients- of which I probably will be after all this craziness is over- and it touched my heart rather than offended me.

The looming guards who advanced a threatening step up and towards us brought us back to reality as we recognized the need to proceed with the ceremony. Backing down really wasn't an option lest we end up like the 'Starks'.

Ash rolled her eyes at the men behind us, ensuring to flip off each and every single one of them before she turned to enter the Cathedral but not before she gave me a warm hug that I welcomed. It gave me enough strength to push through my shaking hands and fulfill my end of the bargain.

I am really gonna marry a stranger...Fuck, did I really just make the decision to tie my life to one of the most dangerous men and become part of a world that will probably get me killed?!

My legs moved of their own accord, turning me to face the guards who stiffened up, seemingly ready for any eventuality as one of them stepped forward. My body was alive with anxiety, reluctance and absolute fear. I really did not think all this through. I did what I always did. I rushed into this, forgetting that there were repercussions to my actions.

"Miss Navarro, it is time to go in. You should not keep him waiting."

The guard spoke up, his voice holding no element of reassurance. Only cold, detached finality. A dangerous glint danced across his eyes, relaying a silent warning that I was testing his patience. I could see it all, sense the chill that came over the air at my reluctance. The hairs on the back of my neck were alive, knowing full well that I didn't have any choice.

"I'm guessing the option to run and send a text to your boss to apologize for pulling a 'Big' on him isn't on the table? That's not to say that he's 'Carrie' or anything... You do know 'Big' from s*x and the City, right?"

My question and statement seemed to fly right over the seemingly agitated man who, instead of answering to my pop culture reference, simply grabbed my wrist and turned me to face the double doors just as the wedding march began on the other side. His grip was relentless, never once easing up until the massive doors were pushed open.

"I guess that's a no then. You didn't have to be so rough, though."

I muttered, subtly rolling my wrist to relieve the pain before I began the walk towards my bleak as hell future. I was thankful for my cathedral veil that shielded me from the gazes I felt on me and the camera flashes that were incessant, never once easing up as I slowly made my way down the aisle towards my husband to be. True enough, New York's elite had shown up to the event, each of them marveling at my procession towards the altar.

I clutched the bouquet of dusty blue-my absolute favorite color- and white roses tight, letting it ground me as I blocked out the panic that threatened to make me barf right in front of everyone.

Now wouldn't that be something...Would probably get me killed...God, I can't believe my life will always be hanging on the damn edge...

The thought made me frown even as I stopped beside Soren who looked painfully handsome in his black suit, his hair slicked back expertly which granted me the full intensity of his gaze and attention. Nervously fidgeting under his unrelenting look, I finally gained the courage to meet his eyes through my veil, taking deep, steadying breaths all the while that would allow me to calm down even if just a little.

My heart was beating like I had been working out for hours on end whereas the man before me looked cool, composed. His gaze was indiscernible, never leaving me even as the crowd became a little more unsettled by the hold up. Even Diesel's nudge was not enough to bring Soren out of whatever multitude of thoughts he was in.

Two men stood beside the one friend of his I had actually met, each of them seemingly just as surprised by Soren's unmoved state. This was clearly something that did not happen often which, in turn, made the anxiety within me skyrocket all the more.

Ah f**k, does he know I tried to run? But like...how?!

My mind was in shambles, waiting for the retaliation for my pathetic attempt to abandon the worst idea I had ever had in my entire life and I had made some pretty stupid ass decisions.

The priest-who thankfully didn't look like a fat-f**k pervert- cleared his throat as he frowned right at Soren who seemed unmoved by the break of protocol. He was supposed to unveil me before we pushed on with the ceremony and yet all Soren seemed interested in was silently staring at me.

Finally, after the whispers seemed to grow to a not so respectful volume in a church, my fiancé outstretched his hand to mine, pushing me to place my own in his before we turned back to the Priest who seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as he began the ceremony.

It was not strictly as according to tradition but the cassock-wearing man seemed more than ready to just get this over with. The thought made me smile, realizing that I was not the only one who felt uncomfortable around Soren Alexander.

Thank God...That means that I'm not completely crazy for being wary of him...

As the ceremony pushed on, Soren tilted his head over to my side.

"You showed up. I really did think I would have to hunt you down and drag you here myself."

His grin was unsettling, the dangerous glint in his eyes alerting me to the fact that he would have enjoyed that particular activity a lot.

"I didn't really have a choice what with the menacing, bootleg-Men In Black watching my every move. That really was unnecessary, you know. It's not like there's anywhere I could run that you wouldn't find me."

I muttered in response, the reality of my own words sinking in. I really could never run from the smirking man beside me. No matter what happened, what I tried, he would always find me and collect on the promise I made. This was well and truly a f****d up situation.

"Damn f*****g right. You belong to me now, Emilia, and I am glad you seem to recognize that much."

He responded, the pleased tilt in his voice sending a multitude of shivers through me. Possessiveness was very much present in the tone of his voice and the mirth that shone in his eyes. He was intensity incarnate as he watched me with that indiscernible gaze that held so much and yet said absolutely nothing at all.

The displeased Priest frowned down at our blatant conversation in the middle of the ceremony but neither of us really gave a s**t, Soren more so as he raised a brow at him.

The man of God shaped up, seemingly seeing something in the dangerous man's eyes that had him reconsidering blatantly displaying his displeasure. The whole scene would have been comical if I wasn't freaking out about the whole marrying a man who had probably killed multiple people and ruled the criminal underground.

I didn't want my life to end up being meaningless. I didn't want to be stuck in a loveless marriage, being my husband's trophy wife. I didn't want to be butchered and used just so they could get to him. I didn't want the families of the people he'd killed to detest me for being stuck in a situation that wasn't really my say.

Tears pricked my eyes and I was silently thankful for the veil that covered my sadness and despair. I had worked so hard to get to where I was, against all odds. I pushed through the hard times, kept my vision and achieved more than I could have ever imagined. I still had so much planned out, so many dreams that I was yet to accomplish. All of them went up in smoke the moment I'd say 'I Do' to this man.

I doubt he's going to let me live my life like before....Heck, am I even going to live long enough?

Priorities had shifted but one thing was for sure. I needed to survive long enough in his world to find Noah. That was all that mattered. That was what all of this was for. Soren's hand tightened around my own, seeming to remind me of the ceremony that was still ongoing.

I realized then that his eyes had never left mine. He seemed to be closer to me now, his body heat encompassing me in a kind of cocoon. A ridiculous part of me wanted to trust him. Trust that he would be different when we were married but the more sensible, reasonable side ruled out. Reminded me that he was who he was and I would not change that.

What right do I have, anyway, to ask him to be any different?

He seemed like he wanted to say something. Heck, he had leaned over and everything but the words never came. Instead, we both focused on the vows that we were asked to repeat after the Priest before Diesel and Ash stepped forward with the wedding bands and to take my bouquet respectively.

The two seemed to share a look but all that flew right over my head as I focused on not hyperventilating as I slid the rose gold and black wedding band onto his finger.

Soren stared at the piece of jewelry momentarily, almost as if in silent fascination, before he himself reciprocated by removing my 1.6 carat, diamond encrusted on rose gold metal, oval cut engagement ring that beheld a gorgeous black diamond. It was stunning and had literally taken my breath away when it was delivered the day before in the blue Tiffany & Co. ensemble.

I watched as he slid the rose gold, diamond encrusted wedding band onto my finger before he returned the engagement ring to match. The combination was stunning and matched perfectly with his own ring.

It seemed like a final sort of declaration, a mark that I well and truly belonged to him. To say Soren was pleased with what he saw would be an understatement. The Church came alive with claps and cheers once the Priest declared us man and wife. The final nail to my coffin.

Diesel as well as the other two men clapped Soren on the back, each of them seeming somewhat pleased by the turn of events. I glanced back to meet Ash's gaze, mustering up the most reassuring smile I could grant her that she returned before wiping a stray tear away. In that moment, I really wished Noah would've been standing beside her. I really missed my best friend.

"You may now kiss your bride, Mr. Alexander."

The Priest's words felt like an ice bucket had been dumped right on my head. Chills traveled through my body as I turned back to my handsome husband who revealed nothing of how he felt about this part of the ceremony. I knew it was coming, had prepared myself mentally by staring in the bathroom mirror and declaring that I would be fine. That it would be a momentary brush of lips. Nothing to read too much into.

What I didn't expect was his careful handling as he slowly removed my veil. I never expected the gentleness of his touch as he brushed a hand down my cheek. It seemed like an almost reverent touch. Emotions danced across his gaze that held my own, each of them too intense and real for my interpretation. I focused only on breathing normally, calming my heartbeat and preparing myself for the kiss that was not a small brush of lips.

No, this was literal fire. Electricity that coursed through each of our veins once our lips crashed together. Caution was thrown to the wind as our tongues tussled, our bodies flush against each other. It felt like a completely new experience, a fiery meeting that almost seemed fated.

My body came alive once his arm wrapped tightly around my waist, possessively. I vaguely registered the whooping cheers and claps from our guests but my mind was fogged with thoughts of desire and lust. Thoughts of him. Neither one of us seemed to want to part and yet we did, dazedly turning to face the crowd as the scowling Priest presented us as Mr. and Mrs. Alexander.

Our kiss must have been a little too X-rated for the Church but neither one of us cared. His friends seemed more than pleased, though, with Ash passing me a mischievous wink as she clapped like the others were. I did not dare look up at my husband who was avidly staring at me now, the crowd of people before us forgotten. We had discovered something in that intense moment shared.

Something that was borderline dangerous, toxic and electrifying all at the same time. It was a string that should not be pulled but I knew that was not going to be an option once I mustered the courage to meet my husband's gaze that was alive with fascination and curiosity. He would tug at that thread, maybe even destroy me in the process.

So why the hell am I so excited about all of this? Why is my heart beating so fast? Why am I so ready?

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