20
MERCEDES
The benefit of Judge being a Sovereign Son is that his word can move mountains. In the span of time it takes for me to shower and do my hair and makeup, he’s already got an army assembled downstairs in my condo.
There’s a moment of surprise when I see Solana, Georgie, Ivy, and Santiago are all waiting for me. But that moment is quickly swept up in the chaos as Solana and Ivy usher me upstairs to try on wedding dresses.
“Don’t worry.” Solana starts fingering through the hanging bags on the rack they set up in the nursery. “I gave the stylist a brief rundown of your style.”
I can see that, and I’m glad for it. Because only a few dresses in the whole display are white. The others are golds, blacks, emerald greens, and most importantly, red. Specifically, crimson. That’s the first one I see. The first one that beckons me, and when I pull it out to examine it, I already know this will be the one.
“Solana.” My gratitude falls from my lips on a quiet breath.
“I know.” She smiles. “But I can’t take all the credit. I have to say, if having designer dresses delivered on demand is one of the perks of The Society, I’m totally on board for that benefit.”
Ivy and I both laugh, and Solana helps me remove the gown from the bag before holding it up to me. The garment is stunning, a rich velvet piece with off-the-shoulder straps. It’s simple but elegant and will show off my pregnancy, so I suspect Judge will love it. But first, I have to get into the thing.
When I start to remove my robe, Solana heads back to the rack, rifling through some pieces on the end section before she tosses me a lacy black pair of underwear and a strapless bra.
"For the wedding night,” she says slyly. “Although I have a feeling you two have already celebrated, judging by the flush on your cheeks.”
The flush spreads as I give her my back and slip the bra and panties on.
“We’re going to have to catch up on all this, by the way,” Ivy says. “But there isn’t time tonight because apparently your lawman is in a big hurry to drag you down the aisle.”
I close my eyes, the warmth of that reality moving through me all over again. A part of me still wonders if it’s a dream. If this is crazy. But the other part of me, the one that loves him with my whole heart, doesn’t care. I want him. He finally admitted he wants me too, so there is no point for us to wait. I want to do this. I want to be Lawson Montgomery’s wife. So I get it. I understand this mad rush. Honestly, I wouldn’t even care if we were married in our street clothes. But Judge told me he wants to do it right, and that means something.
So here I am, pouring myself into a dress that somehow fits just right. It’s a dress that immediately brings tears to Solana’s and Ivy’s eyes, and when they lead me to the mirror, it brings tears to mine too.
“Okay stop it.” Solana waves her hands in front of her face. “I really don’t want to redo my makeup.”
“I’m sorry,” I blubber. “I can’t help it.”
We’re all half laughing, half crying when Georgie appears carrying a selection of bouquets for me to choose from. I recognize them all as flowers from his shop, and I’ve never been so grateful to have friends who understand my tastes so well.
“They’re stunning.” I finger the flowers, settling on a bouquet of champagne roses.
“As are you.” Georgie leans in to kiss my cheek, and my emotions come back in a big way.
“Okay, you guys seriously have to stop,” Solana yelps. “Shoes… we need shoes!”
“Stilettos,” I tell her, trying to focus on the task at hand.
“Really?” Georgie asks. “You’ve been whining about your feet being swollen for days.”
“It’ll just be for the wedding.” I shrug.
He rolls his eyes. “The things women put themselves through.”
Lucky for me, Solana understands, and she helps me pick out the perfect pair of black stilettos, albeit a size larger than I’d typically wear. After that, there isn’t much left to do, but Santiago appears at the door, and everyone seems to sense he wants a moment of privacy with me. So they all take their leave without being asked, shutting the door behind them.
His eyes move over me, uncharacteristically charged with emotion, and he swallows audibly before speaking. “You look beautiful, Mercedes.”
“Thank you,” I choke out. “Will you walk me down the aisle?”
His features soften, something passing through his eyes, and he nods. “This is what you want then?”
“It is.” There can be no doubt to my words, and I know Santi sees that.
“I’m proud of you,” he says quietly. “I want you to know that. You’re going to be an amazing mother and wife. And Judge will be a good husband to you. If he isn’t, he knows I’ll kill him myself.”
He says it in a way that someone might take as a joke, except I know Santiago is dead serious. It only makes me love him more.
“Thank you, brother.” I hug him, lowering my voice to a whisper. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He pulls back after a moment, seemingly trying to steel himself before he hands me a familiar velvet box. “Judge asked me to give this to you.”
I open it with a smile and slip the necklace on, my fingers grazing the chain as it settles against my skin.
A gentle knock on the door interrupts the moment, and Ivy pokes her head in with an apologetic smile. “The cars are here. Judge said he wants you with him, so you’ll have to wear this until we get to the church.”
I recognize the cloak as one he wears at IVI, and it brings me comfort as I slip it over my shoulders, his scent surrounding me. Usually, these are reserved for men, but there’s no way Judge is letting me out of his sight right now. So this will conceal my dress until the actual ceremony.