Chapter 56

Aleck

In the past few weeks, she’d always been busy doing something, and we let her. We knew the wedding plans were going well because the apartment was full of God knows what. She was happy, so we let it be. A few days ago, she asked for a list of people we wanted to invite, so we gave her one, mostly our side of the family. Mom and Dad had told our family about our relationship. She said she didn’t want anyone saying shit to Layla. According to Mom, her parents didn’t have a problem, but my father’s family did, so Dad told them that was fine, and they would not be invited to any family function we had. The day for the wedding was drawing closer.

A few days ago, I overheard them talking about wedding dresses. She found her wedding dress. I tried asking her about it, but she shut me down and threatened me. I sent Dean to ask her, and she yelled at him. So, we steered clear of her and her group. She said she would tell us the location the day before the wedding, and that was fine with me.

There were three days left until the wedding, and I had an unsettling feeling. For some reason, I couldn’t shake it. I was in the office when Dean walked in with Mac.

“What’s up?” I asked them.
“I have a really fucking bad feeling, Aleck, like really fucking bad, and I can’t shake it,” he said. I looked at Mac.
“Get the address for the wedding and reception venue from her; also, get the guest list and start checking it, and make sure nothing happens,” I said.
“Yes, boss.”

After he left, I looked at Dean. What were the chances of both of us having that same feeling?

Layla

The last few weeks were busy and tiring. I’d been going wedding shopping with Mal, Michelle, and Aunt Pam. Last week I found my wedding dress, the perfect dress for me. Boy, was it expensive! Aunt Pam told me to buy it and that I could pass it down, that my husband could afford it. I didn’t tell them where the venue was. Aunt Pam, Mal, and I decided we wanted it to be small, private, and intimate. Aunt Pam and Uncle Matthew asked me to have the ceremony in the church, so I said I would. The reception would be held in the compound of the house they bought. It was big, spacious, and private.

The wedding invitations were sent out last week. I didn’t have anyone. My aunt was my only family member, but she passed away a year after Mom. It didn’t bother me. I don’t know who my father is, and I don’t ever want to know. My mom knew, but all she said was he didn’t want me, so she left, and she had me, raised me on her own.

I asked Uncle Matt to walk me down the aisle, and he said he would gladly do it.
When Saturday came, I was a nervous mess. Tomorrow, I am getting married. Mal and Michelle volunteered to check everything to make sure it was okay. I invited Tyler and Ms. Mildred. Dean and Aleck flew them out here along with some of their family members. I didn’t want a bachelorette party, so we spent the night at home. Later that night, when I went to the room, Aleck was there. I lay next to him, and he just held me. “Are you happy, baby girl?” he asked.

“I am, thank you,” I said, leaning toward him and kissing him.
“Cut it out, you’re getting married tomorrow,” he said playfully. I rolled over and straddled him.

“So what if I’m getting married tomorrow? That changes nothing. Are you going to deny me?” I asked as I grabbed his shirt, taking it off.
“I could never deny you,” he said, returning my kiss.

Within minutes, my clothes were off, and his head was between my thighs. I heard the door open, and I knew who it was. I felt his hands around my neck and his warm breath on my nipples. I couldn’t help but groan. My right hand fisted Aleck’s hair as his mouth and tongue continued, pleasing me, and my left hand in Dean’s hair, holding him in place. “So good, I’m cumming.”

“What do you want, princess?” Dean asked, his warm breath against my nipples.
“Both of you, now, please.”

Dean

I am getting married today. It was like something snapped with her last night. I know we have rough sex, but that was something else. None of the three of us actually slept last night. The sun was rising, and we were still fucking her. It was only when she realized it was sunrise that she looked surprised. She took a shower and left at seven. Before she left, she told us where we were getting married. We made sure not to mark her where anyone would see. The room smelled of sex. I left the balcony doors open to air out the room.

The time went fast. By three that afternoon, Aleck and I were heading to the church. Dad told us she asked him to walk her down the aisle, and that was fine with us. When we got there, I saw the guests arriving. Andrew was with us.

“So, ready to tie the knot, boys?” He asked, smirking.
“He’s getting married, not me,” Aleck said.

“You’re already married, because if she were to call you right now, you’d go to her. You’re both about to be whipped,” Andrew said, which had us laughing.
About an hour later, Dad came looking for us.

“It’s time, boys,” he said. Andrew patted our shoulders. “In two hours, you’ll officially be husbands. Let’s go.”

I was standing at the altar waiting for her, Aleck and Andrew beside me. Mallory and Michelle were walking down the aisle. When I heard the wedding march, I looked up and was left speechless. “Dean,” I heard Aleck say.

“I know,” I replied. She looked like a real-life princess in her dress. To others, it seemed as if she was just looking ahead, but her eyes went to mine, then to
Aleck.

Layla

As I walked down the aisle with Uncle Matt, I could see their every emotion. I wasn’t just looking at one of them; I was looking at both of them. When Uncle Matt handed me to Dean, he held me right there, and I knew it was for a reason.

“You look absolutely beautiful, baby girl. Like a princess, our princess,” Aleck said. I couldn't help but smile. “I’ll always be your princess, both of yours,” I said quietly. I stood facing Dean as the priest began his spiel. I didn’t really need this. It was for Aunt Pam and Uncle Matt. When the priest asked if there was anyone who objected to our marriage, it was quiet. Hmm, I figured Nella would try, or his ex would try.

When I saw the ring, I snapped back into focus. We exchanged rings, and we were pronounced husband and wife. When he kissed me, I knew without a doubt we would be happy. As we headed out of the church, I saw Mac, Diego, Leo, and the rest of the security detail. I heard it first, then felt my body jerk, then I heard it a second time, and something hit me. Everyone was screaming and running.

Dean

As we were walking down the steps of the church, I realized she had stopped. I heard it, and when I looked at her, I think I lost my mind for a second. Everyone started screaming. I heard the gunshot two more times, and she fell over, her dress staining with blood. When I looked up, Nella was just standing there with the gun.

“GET HER! GET THE FUCKING CAR!” I picked her up and ran down the steps with her. I was almost in the car when I saw Aleck rush out. When he saw me, I could see it on his face.

“ANDREW, GET THE OTHERS TO THE HOSPITAL!” he yelled, running towards me. He jumped into the front seat, and Leo sped off. I kept holding onto her. She shot her three times. Her dress was no longer white; it was black and red, her blood soaking through. I just held onto her. When we pulled up to the hospital, Aleck ran into the emergency room. Leo opened the door, and I went out. When I walked in, the doctors were pushing a gurney. I put her onto it.

“Mr. Cavanaugh, we’ll take care of her,” they said, rushing her into the operating room. Mom, Dad, Mal, Andrew, Michelle, and the deputy walked into the emergency room.

“How is she?” Mom asked.
“We don’t know. They rushed her into surgery,” I said, pacing the floor.

Three hours later, we saw the doctor walking towards us.
“Where is she?” I asked him.
“I’m sorry, we did the best we could. She’s no more. The bullet hit her heart and lungs.”

“NO, NO, NO, NO!” I heard screaming. I couldn’t feel. I became numb and just sank to the floor. I heard Mallory screaming but couldn’t at the same time. She was gone; she left us.