Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 117505 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117505 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
When it was time, a soft knock sounded at her door, and butterflies immediately took wing, scuttling around her belly in a nervous cacophony. Her mother reached over and squeezed Evangeline’s hand, tears shining in her loving eyes.
“That will be Silas, darling. Your father is waiting in the foyer. Are you ready?”
Evangeline swallowed nervously but excitement and so much joy invaded her chest that the smile curving her lips felt bright enough to overshadow the sun. She nodded as her mouth went suddenly dry and her entire body jittered with excitement as she gracefully—or as gracefully as she could manage—rose to her feet with her mother’s assistance.
“Evangeline,” Silas said, warm approval in his eyes when she opened the door. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
She blinked back the sudden sting of tears, and his voice turned chiding as he carefully wiped at the corner of her eye with his thumb.
“None of that on your wedding day. Your stylist took two hours. I assure you that Drake will have all our heads if I have to tell him that there has been a delay in the ceremony because you have to start all over again on your makeup.”
Evangeline laughed and then impulsively she threw her arms around Silas and hugged him fiercely.
“You truly are my dearest friend,” she whispered against his chest.
Silas squeezed gently and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Then he turned her and helped her into the foyer where her dad sat waiting in his wheelchair.
• • •
Drake checked his watch, frowning his impatience. His right foot was tapping, the sound muted by the carpeted aisles of the church.
Church.
He inwardly winced at what had to be sheer blasphemy. Him—and his men—in a church? They were lucky the entire building hadn’t gone up the moment they stepped through the doors or that none of them had been struck by lightning.
What a sight it was to see his brothers in a church. All wearing expensive suits. Even the more rebellious I-don’t-give-a-fuck-what-you-think Zander and Jax had dressed formally for the occasion. None of them dared risk hurting Evangeline’s feelings, not because of any threat by Drake or Silas, but because they all adored her and it would kill them to ever be the source of her distress or unhappiness.
The attendance was small. In fact, the only people there other than Drake’s men were Evangeline’s parents, one or two distant relatives who still lived in the same town and two older ladies who were close friends of Brenda’s, each of whom Evangeline called “aunt.” Although, one thing that Drake had quickly learned about life in a small Southern town was that close friends were addressed and treated as family. But then Evangeline had adopted that same policy when it came to Drake and all his men. She counted them as family. Her family. And pity the fool who ever fucked with her family.
The sides hadn’t been divided into bride’s and groom’s. His men were the only attendants and so they lined both sides of the elaborately decorated arch, a show of support for both him and Evangeline. Evangeline was equally represented, a fact Drake would have ensured if his men hadn’t stepped forward to do exactly the same of their own accord.
Maddox took a step forward now so he stood directly behind Drake. Where Silas would stand once he was finished helping Evangeline and her father down the aisle.
“Any second thoughts?” Maddox murmured.
“Hell no!”
Drake winced at the sudden explosive denial and glanced apologetically at the minister, who looked faintly amused.
Maddox chuckled. “Didn’t think so.”
Drake scowled. Then why the hell ask? But he didn’t dignify his man’s teasing with a response. He checked his watch again. What could be taking so long? Evangeline had been ready before she’d arrived at the church. That was half an hour ago.
A cold sweat broke out on his forehead and panic gripped his insides. What if she was the one having second thoughts? He turned, his intention to go find Evangeline and hustle her down the aisle—proprieties and ceremony be damned, when music suddenly swelled over the interior and the door at the end opened, bearing Evangeline’s mom, escorted by Silas.
Wait a minute. Silas was going to walk behind Evangeline’s father and push his wheelchair so Evangeline would be on her father’s arm. If he was escorting Brenda, then who would make sure Evangeline and her father got down the aisle with no issue?
Hell, he’d go down and get Evangeline himself if it came to it. There was no way he was taking any risk that she had too much time to reconsider. The mere idea of coming this close and her not marrying him? It didn’t bear thinking about.
Silas seated Brenda and brushed a perfunctory kiss over her cheek. Brenda smiled up at the big man and the two exchanged words, which had Drake frowning. If there was anything to be said regarding Evangeline, then it needed to be said to Drake. Not Silas. Not any of his men.