Chapter 9 - THE WEDDING THAT BECAME A TRAPRaven and I married in April.
Small ceremony.
Forty guests.
No press.
No politicians.
No business executives.
Just family.
Victoria sat in the front row.
Daniel, Raven's cousin who had secretly helped expose Lucia, stood beside him.
Silas attended.
Our relationship had changed.
He was no longer my date.
He was family.
He hugged me before the ceremony.
“You really chose him.”
I laughed.
“He chose me first.”
Silas looked toward Raven.
“That man would burn the city for you.”
“I know.”
“Terrifying.”
“Very.”
The ceremony began.
Raven waited at the altar.
When I walked toward him, every old rumor about the billionaire Don seemed to disappear.
There was no monster.
Only a man looking at the woman he almost lost before he ever had her.
The priest began.
Then—
The lights went out.
Security shouted.
Glass shattered.
Guests screamed.
Raven moved instantly.
“Get her down!”
I was pulled behind the altar.
Gunfire erupted.
Raven fired back.
Then I saw him.
Thomas.
But Thomas had been arrested.
He wasn't supposed to be here.
He smiled.
“Congratulations.”
Raven raised his weapon.
“How?”
Thomas laughed.
“Money.”
He looked at me.
“You should have stayed anonymous.”
Raven stepped in front of me.
“You touch her and you die.”
Thomas shook his head.
“No.”
He raised his gun.
Then another shot sounded.
Thomas dropped.
Victoria stood behind him holding the weapon.
Everyone froze.
She lowered the gun.
“I've spent twenty years being afraid.”
She looked at her son.
“Not anymore.”
Police rushed inside.
Thomas was still alive.
The wedding survived.
Barely.
Raven took my face in his hands.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
He kissed me.
Then laughed.
“Worst wedding I've ever attended.”
I laughed too.
May you like
“You're the groom.”
“Exactly.”
