Bound by Bullets and Vows

CHAPTER 12

NAPAHAWAK si Reese sa suot na silver mask na siyang tumakip sa kalahati ng kaniyang mukha. Today is the wedding of her and Alaric, and now, she is wearing her wedding gown. To a person like her, happiness is not a choice.

She took a deep breath as she looked at the cathedral in front of her.

Wala siyang makitang security pero alam niyang nakatago ang mga ito. They were secretly blended with the guest and some of them became staff at the wedding.

This wasn’t a wedding meant to be celebrated.

It was meant to be witnessed.

There were limited guests at the venue. But most of them were business colleagues, powerful figures, quiet allies, and people who understood that this marriage was not romance but strategy.

Nakatayo si Alaric sa may altar. He was accompanied by a close friend na umuwi pa galing abroad para lang dumalo sa kasal niya.

“You hate arranged marriage,” Gian said, shaking his head. “Why agree to this one?”

Tumingin si Alaric sa may pinto ng simbahan. “What do you think?”

Gian let out a small sigh. “Just pretend I didn’t ask you that question.”

“This marriage is useful to me.” Sabi ni Alaric.

Gian crossed his arms over his chest. “I heard your fiancée is the heir of Sinclair Industries, that was worth billions. You’re lucky to have what others were hoping to have.”

Tumaas lamang ang sulok ng labi ni Alaric.

Tinapik ni Gian ang balikat ng kaibigan. “But still, I wanted to greet you happy wedding.”

Later, the bride entered. She was dressed in ivory with her veil trailing behind. The silver mask covered half of her face. She walked alone in the aisle.

From Alaric’s position, the world narrowed.

Mahina siyang napabuntong hininga. He once dreamed of standing at the altar and marrying the woman he liked. But since her parents died, he already removed that thought from his head. Alam niyang sa oras na maghiganti siya, a genuine happiness is already out of the option.

Reese stopped in front of him.

They faced each other.

Alaric took the initiative to hold Reese’s hand.

There was no joy in them, only a plain look for each other.

The priest spoke. His words were about unity, about alliance, and shared responsibility of being a husband and wife.

Hindi masyadong pinagtuunan ng pansin ni Alaric ang mga sinabi ng pari. His attention was on the woman before him—standing still, unreadable, and composed. He couldn't see her eyes because of her silver mask, but he felt them on him.

When it came time for vows, there were none prepared.

This was not that kind of marriage.

“Alaric, do you take Reese to be your wife, to promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forever?” the priest asked.

“I do, Father.” Sagot ni Alaric. It was a meaningful question, but there was no meaning between them.

Tumingin ang pari kay Reese. “Reese, do you take Alaric to be your husband, to promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forever?”

“I do.”

Bahagyang kumunot ang nuo ni Alaric nang marinig ang boses ni Reese. Her voice was steady. Familiar in a way he couldn’t place.

The rings were brought forward.

Alaric took the band he had chosen and slid it onto Reese’s gloved hand. The metal caught the light once, then settled, as if it had always belonged there.

Reese returned the gesture. Inilagay niya ang singsing sa daliri ni Alaric.

“By the authority vested in me,” the priest said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Parehong natigilan si Reese at Alaric. Napatingin silang dalawa sa isa’t-isa.

Alaric lifted Reese’s veil. Unti-unti niyang inilapit ang mukha niya rito at hinalikan ito sa gilid ng labi. He quickly pulled away, feeling the rapid beat of his heart.

Reese smiled a little. She was glad that Alaric had respected her.

The guest cheered for them.

Kapagkuwan napansin ni Reese na may tinitignan si Alaric sa kanilang mga bisita.

“Sinong hinahanap mo?” tanong niya.

Umiling si Alaric. “A friend.”

Of course, Reese knew who that ‘friend’ Alaric was looking for, because that friend was already in front of him.

Sumunod ang reception ng kasal nilang dalawa. But for a person who was not a socialite, pakiramdam ni Reese, pagod na pagod siya pagkatapos ng kasal.

The city light blurred past the tinted windows.

Inside the armored sedan, Reese slept. Her head rested slightly against the seat, silver mask still in place, and her hands rested on her lap. Exhaustion from the ceremony and days without real rest had finally pulled her under.

She had earned the sleep.

Nakaupo naman si Alaric sa tabi ni Reese. At nang mapasandal sa ito sa kaniya, hinayaan niya ito. He even held her so she wouldn’t be swayed if the road shifted.

Alaric leaned into his seat and closed his eyes.

Payapa nilang binabagtas ang daan hanggang sa biglaang huminto ang kanilang sasakyan.

“Boss, we have a problem,” Julian informed.

Iminulat ni Alaric ang kaniyang mata at tumingin sa harapan. Two cars stopped, and several men in suits stepped out, holding guns and pointing at them.

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Alaric. “Looks like they wanted to take Reese away,” he said and glanced at the woman sleeping in his arms. “Too bad, I won’t let them take her away from me.”

Inayos niya ang pagkakasandal ni Reese sa upuan. Hinubad niya ang suot na coat at ipinatong rito upang hindi ito ginawin. Then he pulled his katana from the side of his seat.

He and Julian stepped out from the car, along with his bodyguard, who was in the other car.

The first bullet came through the air. He heard it before he saw it, and his hands were already on the katana. Steel cleared the sheath in one smooth motion. As the blade flashed, it created a clang sound when the bullet hit the blade. The bullet ricocheted sideways, shattering a streetlight behind him.

Alaric stepped forward alone and gunfire from the enemies tore through the night.

Mabilis na sinalag ni Alaric ang mga bala gamit ang kaniyang katana.

He angled the katana, rotating his wrist just enough to deflect another round off the blade’s spine. The impact jarred his arm, vibration traveling through the steel and his bone, but he absorbed it, shifting his stance.

Mabilis na nakalapit si Alaric sa mga kalaban ganun din ang kaniyang mga bodyguard.

Fight tore the street.

Kapagkuwan napansin ni Alaric ang tatlong kalaban na nagtatago sa isang sasakyan at kumukuha ng pagkakataon upang umatake. He didn’t give them a chance and they barely had time to react when he slid under the man’s raised weapon, brought the katana up and opened his chest from shoulder to rib. Bumagsak ang walang buhay na katawan ng kalaban sa semento.

He quickly pivoted and aimed at the second man, he twisted sideways to avoid the bullet being fired, letting it pass inches from his ribs, then drove the katana straight through the attacker’s throat. He yanked the blade free before the body finishes collapsing.

Blood sprayed across the pavement.

Pero hindi tumigil si Alaric. The third man tried to retreat but he threw the katana. The blade rotated once in the air and buried itself between the man’s shoulder blades. The man fell on the ground.

Kalmado niyang kinuha ang kaniyang katana saka ito pinunasan at ibinalik sa sheath nito.

Abala pa rin si Julian at ang mga bodyguard niya sa pakikipaglaban sa mga kalaban nila.

Alaric noticed an enemy trying to get close to the car where Reese was sleeping. Mabilis siyang naglakad palapit, pulled out his katana and slashed the man’s neck. Tumalsik pa sa kaniya ang dugo nito pero hindi na niya pinansin.

As he finished the last enemy, the silence of the night had returned.

He wiped his blade clean before sheathing it. Then he noticed the blood on his clothes. Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya. His wedding suit was blessed with blood.

“Dispose them.”

Tumango si Julian. “Yes, Boss,” he replied.

Binuksan ni Alaric ang sasakyan at nakitang tulog pa rin si Reese, completely unaware of what happened outside the car. His one hand rested on the roof of the car. “Looks like those men was coming for her.”

“Who could it be, Boss?” tanong ni Julian.

“Of course, one of the people who wanted to own the Sinclair Industries. But there were too many of them. Sinclair Security Tech had billions asset. Sino ba ang hindi may gusto?” Ani Alaric.

But since Reese were already his wife, and will live with him, he will protect her.

And that’s a promise.