Chapter 20

I trace a finger over the silk waistcoat Raven sent me, and I can’t help but wonder what Sierra’s expression would look like if she found out her best friend is helping me make sure that my wedding outfit will match hers. She’d be outraged, and it’d be a beautiful sight.

I haven’t had a chance to speak to her since the charity auction, and even if I did, what the hell do I say? One wrong word spoken to the wrong person, and Valeria’s life could be in danger, and she’s only just regained it.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the ringtone Elijah set for security breaches, and I frown as I pick up. “What’s wrong?” I ask as I begin to unlock my weapons cabinet.

Elijah chuckles, and I instantly relax. “You will not believe this,” he says.

“What?” I say dryly, irritated he used this emergency line for something that clearly isn’t an emergency. “The Windsor brothers just tried to breach our system. From what I can tell, Lexington is trying to shut your security system down from just outside our gates, so I can only assume they’re planning to break in.”

“No,” I mutter. “They’re planning something far worse.”

“Oh?”

“They’re going to take me. Let them.”

“Let them?” Elijah repeats, incredulous. “What do you mean, let them?”

“Come on,” I mutter. “Like you wouldn’t want to have a chat with the man Valeria will someday marry. They’re just trying to prove a point, making sure that I’m aware they can get to me at any time if I don’t treat their sister right, so yes, let them in.”

“Just so you know — I won’t come save your ass if you turn out to be wrong about them.”

I chuckle, unable to help it. “When have I ever needed saving?”

He sighs and ends the call, and I sit down on my sofa in anticipation. Six minutes later, my doors open, followed by loud, rushed footsteps. I have to give it to them, they’re efficient and quick, because I don’t quite get a glimpse of them before they put a fabric bag over my head and bind my hands behind my back. I pretend to struggle, trying my best to fight my instincts lest I accidentally hurt my future brothers-in-law, and they drag me away.

They don’t say a word as they throw me in a vehicle, and on instinct, I begin to map out the route, carefully counting the time since we left and each turn I can feel them take. I smirk to myself when I realize they’re likely taking me to one of my own damn warehouses.

“Don’t bother,” I hear Dion say as I’m pulled out of a car and directed into the warehouse, before I’m shoved in a chair. “He knows it’s us. I told you guys this was a stupid idea.”

“How do you know?” I hear Luca ask.

“He hasn’t asked a single question, and though he has a black belt in jiujitsu and Krav Maga, he hasn’t used any of his signature moves — which is a good thing, because he’d have broken several of our bones.”

Shit. Dion knows me far too well. I should’ve resisted harder and shouted or some shit. Lex pulls the bag off my head, and I force myself to keep my expression neutral. “Boys,” I murmur, leaning back in my seat.

This warehouse might look abandoned, but it isn’t, and I just know that Elijah is watching us on the cameras. By now he’s probably called Hunter and Zach, and hell, maybe even Mom and Dad too. Hunter would’ve likely made popcorn by now, and Zach would be providing a running commentary on every single thing that happens. I just know they’re going to turn this footage into memes that’ll haunt me for the rest of my life, but what can I do? I can’t disappoint my future in-laws either. I just hope Mom won’t let them replay this at our next meeting — I’m not sure I’ll survive the embarrassment.

“Let’s have a chat,” Ares says, dragging a chair closer. The sound would’ve been eerie to anyone but me, and judging by the look on Dion’s face, he knows I’m not exactly intimidated. I crouch a little, trying to play the part. I don’t want them to feel like I’m cocky, or like I don’t take their concerns and love for their sister seriously.

“My grandmother will lay down some rules, but so will we. Just because we supported you in asking for her hand doesn’t mean we’re handing over our sister without keeping an eye on her. We do not trust you unconditionally — we don’t trust anyone unconditionally when it comes to Sierra’s happiness.”

“I would expect no less of you,” I tell them earnestly, though I can’t help but admit that I’m a little concerned about the rules they’re referring to. Sierra already seems intent on making things more difficult than they need to be, and I don’t particularly want the Windsor brothers interfering in my marriage, but the least I can do is hear them out.

Zane rummages through the tools I have on site and grabs a wrench, and I only just about keep from sighing. He doesn’t have a bad bone in his body, so the sight he’s presenting me with is honestly more endearing than anything else. I have no doubt these men would hurt me severely if I were to mistreat their sister, but right now, there’s no need for me to fear them.

“You’ll respect her autonomy,” Ares says. “That includes her bodily autonomy.”

My eyes widen, and I look away, unable to face them at the mere insinuation of me sleeping with Sierra. “Of course,” I reply instantly, trying not to take offense. I’d never touch her against her will, and they don’t need to know just how much she does want me.

“You’ll be faithful to her,” Luca says. “I don’t know who that girl is you’re often with, but if you cheat on Sierra, you’ll never sleep with a woman again.”

My eyes meet Dion’s, and he throws me a sympathetic look. He’s the only person I’ve ever told about Valeria, and even he didn’t know until about a year ago. “I don’t think that’ll be an issue,” he says, amusement crossing his face. “He hasn’t slept with anyone in years. I doubt he’s going to start messing around now.”

My eyes fall closed in embarrassment. “Fucking hell, Dion,” I mutter. I sigh as I glance back at the Windsor brothers, surprised to find such palpable relief on their faces. Had they actually been worried about that, even remotely?

“Be patient with her,” Dion says, his voice soft. “She’ll need time to adjust, and though we think you might just be perfect for her, she won’t see it that way. It’ll be hard for her to leave her family, to suddenly not be a Windsor anymore when she’s always taken such pride in being part of our family. Make sure she feels welcome in your home, and help her connect with your family. Sierra would never admit it to you, but she always hoped to have in-laws that would love her, since we lost our parents so young.”

Lex nods. “Don’t resent her for not reciprocating your feelings, or for not responding the way you might want. She’s a romantic, but she’s slow to trust, and she might not let you in easily. If you can win her over, she’ll love you for the rest of your lives. She doesn’t love easily, but she loves deeply.”

“Don’t give up on her,” Zane adds, his voice sounding pained. “Marriage isn’t easy, Xavier, especially not when it’s arranged. If you’re going to marry her, commit to her, even at times when it’s hard. Promise me that even if she shatters your heart into pieces, all those broken shards will still belong to her, and you’ll give her a chance to put them back together.”

I look at them and nod, my expression earnest. “I promise,” I tell them. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make her happy, no matter what it takes. I will always respect her and her decisions, in every single way.” They hear the unspoken implication — I’ll place her happiness above mine, always, no matter what.

Lex grabs a bag and pulls out a bottle of whiskey. “Honestly, just release him,” he says, sounding defeated. “Dion was right. He’s fucking smitten with her. What were we even thinking?”