ZANDER
“How are the nerves?” Damon asks as he adjusts his jacket.
“Still fucked,” I admit to him under my breath.
“It’s all going to go down as it’s meant to,” he assures me.
“I’ll be calm once this is over.”
Damon nods in agreement and then looks me up and down from where he stands in the threshold of the living room. “Well, at least you look like you’ve got your shit together.”
I let out a huff of a laugh and gesture to my friend’s cobalt blue suit that complements his dark brown skin. “You shape up nicely too. Trying to find a date tonight?” I question with a smirk.
He smiles wide and broad, then says, “I think these women may be a little too high maintenance for me.” He pats my shoulder and gives a squeeze. “Tonight is going to be just fine. Everything is going to go according to plan.”
I’m still nodding in agreement as he leaves me alone in the living room. The Firm is going first, scouting out the place and conducting reconnaissance. Silas is behind to drive us to the event once we’ve gotten the green light. I glance in the mirror again, making sure I look like the man who should be on Ella’s arm tonight. I’m more dressed up than I have been in years. Tux. Tie. Everything. A spritz of cologne Ella picked out as well.
I’ve worn suits for The Firm just about every week for years, but this is another level. She’s a socialite, or at least used to be. I could never imagine living with this constant pressure that comes with being in the spotlight twenty-four seven. If this is what she requires, I will be the man on her arm, the one leading her and standing by her side. Glancing toward the hall, I attempt to listen for her and hear nothing, so I check my watch one more time.
Whenever she happens to arrive, that is, I’ll be the “man candy” on her arm, as Kam referred to my duty tonight. Releasing tension in my shoulders, I check the message from Kam, the one from Cade and as I do, my phone pings to let me know they’re ready whenever we are.
Ella’s been locked in her bedroom and the bathroom with a stylist for the last few hours, so I can’t imagine how much longer she could possibly need. I spent as much time as I could getting myself ready, but there’s just not that much for a man to do.
My clothes are on and I’m left with time to think.
I text them that I will inform them once we leave. As I hit send, the nerves amp up again.
Tonight is when everything changes. I hope, given all The Firm’s planning, that we put an end to the blackmail threat quietly so we can provide everything Judge Martel requires without any hiccups. I want it all to be over by the time the sun rises. The conservatorship, the judge ruling in her favor, any and every threat. I’m ready to start our forever tonight. She’s ready. I know she is.
Disastrous scenarios are possible, but I don’t want to entertain them.
All of the unfortunate business will be behind us by morning.
I pace the living room of her house, trying to imagine a limit to the things I’d do for her. There really isn’t one. I’d give her the entire world if I could. She accepted my collar, my ring.
She’s mine. In every way and yet there’s this lingering warning. Tonight will end it all. I will end it all so she is only mine and there is no question about that fact. Not from her, not from a single soul.
Tomorrow she is mine, only mine and we start our forever.
Muffled voices get a little louder upstairs, distracting me. A woman laughs. One of the stylists, I think.
“Are you sure?” Ella asks after a door is opened, the sounds carrying down the staircase. I make my way toward the foyer to gather her for tonight.
“Yes,” the woman answers. “Head on down. Do you need me to walk you?”
“Oh, no. I’ve got it. Thank you.” As I make my way to her, the steady rhythm of her heels brings her closer to me.
Her stilettos click softly on each step and I go toward the sound. I’m drawn to her that way. I couldn’t make myself stay away if I wanted to.
Before I’ve fully faced her, I’m paralyzed by the sight of her.
She takes my breath away. My bottom lip drops open slightly as I’m stunned by her beauty. Ella is gorgeous in a burgundy gown that skims the floor, carrying it with a grace that proves she was born to be dressed in silk. Her dark hair falls in soft curls. Her makeup is subtle and natural apart from deep red lips that match her dress. The color brings out her beauty in a way I didn’t know was possible.
She’s so strikingly beautiful that my first thought is: I don’t deserve her and I could never be the man worthy of being beside her. Until she speaks. “Z …” Her gaze drifts down my body as she pauses on the bottom step and my heart races. “You look perfect. I love you in a tux, my God.”
It’s only then I can breathe. I lick my lower lip as I stare back at her and she blushes deeply. “You’re breathtaking, my jailbird.”