Chapter Seventy-Two
Kelley felt boxed in, not liking the feeling. He liked space, lots of space and with Lee being both taller and broader than him it made him feel even more claustrophobic. Lee seemed immune and he gazed out of the window with his face betraying no emotion. Kelley wasn't nervous, he just wasn't looking forward to tying himself to someone else for life. He hadn't planned on ever getting married, hadn't really thought about having children either but it seemed like fate had other plans for him.
“Nice day for a wedding.” Kelley turned to look at Connor and then he laughed.
“Shit.”
Lee shook his head and turned towards Connor. “Not to spoil the moment … what did you do with the body, Connor?”
Connor raised his eyebrow and shifted forward to look at Lee. “It’s better if you don’t know, Lee, trust me, but what I can say is that he’s resting in pieces.”
Kelley started to laugh again and Connor and Lee glanced at him, Lee’s nose scrunching up. “Pieces?”
“Connor carted him out of the warehouse in three black bags.”
Lee paled slightly and looked like he was going to be sick. “I never thanked you, Connor.”
“You still haven’t.”
Kelley’s shoulders shook but he kept the laugh inside until he looked at Lee and they both roared with laughter. Connor shook his head and for once he was glad that the SUV had a soundproof partition that separated the driver from them.
“Why are we even laughing?” Lee wiped a tear from his eye but he still laughed.
“Because we’re all so screwed up.”
Connor looked offended and straightened the sleeves of his jacket. “Speak for yourself, I’m just dandy.”
“Dandy? Is that even a word?”
“It’s a word, Lee.” Kelley took a deep breath and tried to compose himself.
"It's a word no straight man ever uses," he muttered.
"Screw you, Munroe," Connor said and Lee grinned.
“You’re as screwed up as we are, Connor, just so you know. You wouldn’t have gotten along with Kelley like you do if you were normal.”
Kelley turned his head towards Lee and shoved a finger against his chest. “I’m not that screwed up if you take my whole childhood out of the equation.”
They fell into a comfortable silence once again, each lost in their own thoughts. Kelley kept thinking of the look on Charles's face when news of Kelley's marriage became known and a faint smile appeared on his face.
“Just imagine, Kelley, this time tomorrow morning you can kiss your new wife while she sleeps.”
Kelley snorted loudly and Connor smiled at him. "Doubtful, Connor, doubtful."
“Kissing the sleeping form of someone is the purest form of love.” The expression on Connor's face was one of intent like he was trying to convince Kelley of something.
Kelley grinned and Lee shook his head, knowing he had a smartass answer up his sleeve. “Not when you’re in prison.”
Laughter rang out again and Kelley was now glad for the company. They’d succeeded in distracting him. The car slowed down and he looked out of the window and saw that they had reached the chapel on the outskirts of Edinview.
The chapel wasn't large by any means the exposed brickwork gave it a modern feeling. The open grasslands on either side though lent peace to the chapel. Cars filled the parking lot on either side of the gravel yard and up ahead he saw Mason carrying Grace into the chapel.
The town of Edinview was half an hour to the north and was flanked by mountains to the east and open farmland to the west. Nascosto Scelto had a significant interest in Edinview and Kelley owned about seventy percent of the town’s real estate.
Kelley climbed out of the SUV, Connor flanking him on one side, his eyes searching for any threats. Kelley wasn’t worried about any, not today. His schedule showed him heading to St. John’s City for a business meeting with a pharmaceutical rep.
“The chapel’s clear.” Connor’s voice was low, meant for his ears only. Kelley nodded his head and they walked inside.
The chapel held a maximum of fifty people. On one side were his friends, the people closest to him and on the other side sat his bride’s family. Ernesto Romano was nowhere in sight and Kelley said a silent thank you.
“Pastor Mullins, thank you for your time today.” Kelley shook the pastor’s hand and they spoke for a few minutes.
Marella walked down the aisle and her eyes went to Lee first. Kelley saw the pain in her eyes and then she blinked, swallowed and a smile appeared on her face when she turned her gaze to Kelley. Kelley took a step toward her and smiled as he hugged her.
“Thank you, Marella. I don’t show my appreciation enough.”
“You do, Kelley. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Kelley’s expression changed then because she probably wouldn’t understand his need to destroy Charles Alexander. It was a burning desire that burned so hot inside him that it was his main focus. He’d die happy the moment Charles was destroyed.
“I know exactly what I’m doing. How are you doing?”
“Of course, Lee told you, he tells you everything.”
Kelley’s hand gripped her elbow lightly. “Rather me than someone who doesn’t understand him. We’re family, Marella, you’re family too. Give him time. The darkness is overwhelming him right now but he’ll find his way back, he always does.”
“He always does. What does that mean, Kelley? Has he gone off the rails before and I just don’t know it?”
“What’s important is that you love him and he loves you.”
For a moment Kelley thought that Marella wouldn’t drop it but then she did and nodded her head solemnly. Lee appeared behind her and took her hand. Kelley could see the change in her demeanour the moment Lee touched her. Her love ran deep and he hoped Lee didn’t make the biggest mistake of his life. Marella would always be the best thing that ever happened to Lee and he hoped his friend realized that sooner rather than later.
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