Bitter Vows (Crimson Falls 1)

“Yes, I am.” It’s the truth. If she had asked me when I first arrived here, I would’ve said no. But I truly am okay. “It’s been eye-opening.”

“Oh, I’m sure it has.” She wiggles her eyebrows, amusement brightening her face as she takes me in. I can feel the heat on my cheeks. But she doesn’t press me for more information. Thankfully. “So, where’s my dress?”

“Over in the garment bag hanging on the back of the door,” I tell her, pointing to where she came in. Now that we’re shut in, she can see the item. Aelin rushes to it, unzipping it quickly to find the dark crimson dress that reminds me of a rich, red wine.

I didn’t want pinks or blues, or any pastel color, and the red just fit so perfectly with what I had envisioned when we decided to have the wedding at the house. With vast gardens, and the beautiful scenery that overlooks the woods, I envisioned a fairytale wedding.

“This is epic,” Aelin remarks as she strips down to her underwear and slowly slides the satin over her frame. It fits perfectly, like I knew it would. And when the straps are draped over her shoulders, I can’t help but grin.

“I knew you’d pull that off,” I tell her quickly as I push to my feet and rush to her side. Her long, blonde hair hangs to the middle of her back in waves of silk. “This is perfect. I wanted something different.”

“I must say, the color scheme is totally you,” she tells me with a giggle. “But I love it. I just want this day to be perfect for you.” Once again, she takes my hands in hers, and emotion pricks at my eyes. I was so convinced I would walk away from Lycan before I got to this day. I wanted to escape, but right now, all I want to do is walk down the aisle.

“It’s perfect because you’re here, and you get to share it with me,” I tell her honestly. “But don’t make me cry. They spent hours on my makeup,” I tease, offering a smile as I try to keep the tears at bay.

“Well, let’s not keep your future husband waiting.”

“I’ll be there in a moment.” I watch her go after a quick hug. Once alone, I take a few deep breaths before I pick up my phone. There’s one person I need to talk to before I do this, one person I need to ask one simple question before I say, “I do.”

33

Darius

For years I’ve waited. Needed proof before I walked into my brother’s home and told him the truth about our family. About our father. As much as I loved him, I knew he was bad news. I learned a long time ago the Shaw name wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. There were things hidden in closets, secrets, things he didn’t want to have come to light.

And even then, I knew I couldn’t be the man my father wanted. Yes, he was good to us as kids, but the older we got, the more I learned about who he truly was. Our mother, a woman who had loved him unconditionally, wasn’t only just a pawn in his game, but she was a stand-in for the person he truly loved.

Lycan may have believed otherwise, and I allowed him to, but now as he takes a wife, he needs to learn the truth about the pretty redhead he’ll share a bed with. Today is the wedding, and it amuses me that I’ve chosen a suit and tie to wear to the event. The black jacket hugs my rather large frame, with slacks that just fit.

A white button-up is not my choice of clothing, but for my brother, I’ll do it. I need to blend into the crowd until I have my opportunity to stand and tell him the truth. I didn’t want to do it this way, but I don’t have a choice.

When I called my mother, I asked her to do it, to admit the shitshow she’d brought upon our family, but she refused. Which only leaves me with one option. I don’t feel bad about it. The anger, the rage I’ve lived with knowing I was cast aside because I wasn’t willing to fall into line, has made me hate everyone.

Lycan.

Scarlett.

Even Grace.

Picking up my weapon of choice, I screw on the silencer and smile down at the black metal that lies heavily in my hand. I found a family, and they gave me a gift I could never thank them enough for. Knowing I’m a killer is one thing but realizing the next person I’m about to murder in cold blood is my brother, well, that’s another thing altogether.

Being a biker outlaw, I’ve seen my fair share of dead bodies. It doesn’t faze me anymore. I doubt it ever will again. Lycan doesn’t realize the first kill I ever made wasn’t our father. He may believe it, and when I tried to tell him the truth, he didn’t want to listen, so it’s time I righted the wrongs of my brother and I.