Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“I forgive you.”
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
“Bastien.” I didn’t want any more of this self-loathing. Didn’t want any more of this distance and coldness. “We’ve made it to the other side. We’re here now. I don’t want to think about the past when I’m so excited about our present and our future. I know it’s hard, but you need to let it go.”
“I never let anything go.”
“I know.” I cupped his face. “But I need you to let this go. Because we finally have the life that I wanted, and I want to enjoy every second of it because forever will go by so fast.”
He closed his eyes like I’d said the perfect thing to halt his rage. He released a quiet sigh, let out his frustration and despair.
“It’s okay.” I moved my fingers into his hair, wanting my man back with me, wanting his blue eyes and his smile and the warmth he gave me with just a look.
He inhaled a breath before he opened his eyes again, looking at me with a sharper stare, a hardness that wasn’t angry, just focused. “At least I have the rest of my life to make it up to you.”
I went to his mother’s house several times a week, and together, we planned the wedding. A wedding normally took place a year after the engagement, but since we both wanted to be married now, and Bastien had a lot of connections with pretty much everyone in Paris, I was able to book everything I wanted with just six weeks’ notice.
I didn’t ask his mom for help because I needed it, just because I wanted to spend time with her, to deepen that relationship with her since she would be my mother-in-law. I’d been close with Adrien’s parents, and I would always have love for them as long as I lived, but now, Bastien and his family would be my family.
My forever family.
Bastien had no interest in the wedding planning. Just gave me a list of all the people he wanted to invite, which included President Martin, several members of the Senate, and then all the criminals he knew from his time as the Butcher. I only had a few friends to invite, so pretty much the entire guest list was on his side.
One night, his mother invited us over for dinner, and when we walked inside, Godric was already there because he’d been invited too.
I’d barely spoken to Godric. He was definitely the strong and silent type, but I felt perfectly comfortable around him because of what he’d done for me. Instead of hitting him with a bunch of questions and forced conversation, I chose to mirror his energy so he would feel at ease around me.
His mother was so beside herself at the sight of them together in the same room that she broke into sobs before she pulled both of her sons in for a single hug, the two of them towering over her.
The brothers didn’t hug each other, but Bastien gave him a pat on the shoulder.
“I just can’t believe it.” His mother pulled away, her hand over her heart. “Both of my sons here. One of my boys is getting married. I wish your father were here to see this.”
Bastien and Godric exchanged a look, but it was fleeting.
“Mom, did you invite your boyfriend?” Bastien asked.
“Boyfriend?” Godric asked.
“You didn’t hear?” Bastien asked. “She’s got some art collector boyfriend named Pierre.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” she said quickly. “But yes, he’ll be joining us.”
Bastien exchanged another look with Godric then winked.
Godric smirked back, like they wordlessly agreed to a plan to interrogate the fuck out of this guy.
The butler entered the room and announced the arrival of Pierre before he walked off.
His mother was in a purple dress with high heels that showed how lithe and agile she was. “Be on your best behavior, boys.”
Pierre stepped into the room in slacks and a matching vest with a collared shirt, looking very refined, just like Bastien’s mother. He gave her the warmest smile before he kissed each one of her cheeks.
“Pierre, thank you so much for coming.” She walked with him up to Bastien and Godric, six-foot-something men who were intimidating to the most ruthless criminals. “It’s my pleasure to introduce both of my sons.” Her eyes watered when she looked at them, like there truly was no greater pleasure than the sight of the two of them. “Godric and Bastien.”
Bastien shook his hand first. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Godric shook his hand as well but said nothing.
“So,” Bastien said. “What are your intentions with our mother?”
“Bastien.” His mother swatted him on the arm. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Just a question,” Bastien said. “He’s a man, he can handle it. And if he can’t, he can leave.”
His mother had been beaming a moment ago, and now, she looked mortified. “Let’s sit down and eat.”