Chapter 8 - The Man Who Chose Her Over the Empire
Months passed.
Adrian's empire became a legitimate business network.
Tessa became the director of financial integrity.
Her work exposed fraud instead of hiding it.
People joked that she had turned the Black Wolf into a corporate executive.
Roman called it worse.
"You turned him into a husband."
Tessa smiled.
"He was always one."
Roman laughed.
"Not according to the newspapers."
Their wedding was scheduled for October.
A small ceremony.
Family only.
Tessa's mother attended.
Adrian's mother attended.
Leo cried before the ceremony even began.
"This is embarrassing."
"You are crying," Tessa said.
"I'm happy."
"You're ruining your image."
"I never had one."
Adrian stood nearby.
"You'll both stop talking eventually."
Tessa looked at him.
"Are you nervous?"
"No."
Roman answered for him.
"He's been walking around since five in the morning."
Adrian glared.
Roman walked away.
Tessa laughed.
Then a messenger arrived.
An envelope.
No sender.
Inside was a single photograph.
Tessa and Adrian leaving their office.
On the back:
You didn't really win.
Adrian's smile disappeared.
He called Roman.
"Find out who sent this."
Two hours later, the answer came.
Harrow.
He had escaped custody.
The wedding became a target.
Adrian wanted to cancel.
Tessa refused.
"I'm not letting him steal this from us."
"It's dangerous."
"So was the first night."
He looked at her.
"The wrong car."
She smiled.
"The best mistake I ever made."
The wedding took place anyway.
Security surrounded the estate.
Guests arrived.
The ceremony began.
Adrian looked at Tessa walking toward him.
Every sound vanished.
He remembered the woman asleep in the back seat.
The woman who had entered his car by accident.
The woman who had walked away with eleven dollars in her wallet and never asked who he was.
She reached him.
He held out his hand.
She took it.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I know."
"You should say it."
She smiled.
"I love you too."
The ceremony continued.
Just before the vows were completed, a gunshot cracked in the distance.
People screamed.
Security moved.
Tessa froze.
Adrian stepped in front of her.
Roman shouted.
"East gate!"
Adrian looked toward the tree line.
Harrow stood there.
He held a weapon.
"Adrian!"
Tessa grabbed Adrian's hand.
"Don't."
He turned to her.
She shook her head.
"Don't become him."
The words stopped him.
Harrow ran.
Roman chased him.
Federal agents surrounded the property.
Harrow was captured alive.
And this time there would be no escape.
Adrian returned to the altar.
Tessa looked at him.
"You listened."
"I always listen to you."
She smiled.
The officiant cleared his throat.
"May we continue?"
Adrian nodded.
"Please."
They finished their vows.
They kissed.
And the entire estate erupted in applause.
Afterward, they danced beneath strings of lights.
Tessa rested her head against his chest.
"Is it over?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Good."
He kissed her forehead.
"Now we can finally have the life you deserve."
She looked up.
May you like
"Our life."
"Our life."
