He sighed. “It sure as hell wasn’t romantic. Amy wore a suit. Granted, she looked stunning, but it’s not exactly every little girl’s dream to get married in Vegas with a bodyguard as a witness. We barely even kissed. Probably wouldn’t have if I didn’t need to send home proof that we were officially married. My parents have no idea it started off as fake. They’d probably have my head for fucking around with the future of our country.”
That caught my attention. What would his marriage have to do with the future of our country? He was the second son, and his older brother had three heirs. Remaining silent, I didn’t push for clarification. I might be marrying into this family, but I would likely never know about the inner workings—not that I needed to add more drama to my life.
The silence stretched until Liam said, “I actually wanted to ask you a favor.”
“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“One of my cousins got caught up and won’t make it in time for the ceremony tomorrow. I was wondering if you might consider standing up with me in his place.”
“I don’t know,” I protested. “We’ve been friends a long time, but that’s a big deal.”
“You’re marrying my sister, which makes you my brother. Who better to stand by my side?”
I guess I hadn’t really thought of it like that, but it set the wheels turning in my brain. Liam had a brother, but in all my time dealing with Lucy, I hadn’t seen him once. Leo was—simply put—an attention whore, always needing to be front and center. Where was he, and why hadn’t anyone mentioned him in months? Shouldn’t he be here for the wedding? It seemed strange that his own family pretended like he didn’t exist.
“Please, Preston?” Liam asked again before smirking. “It comes with perks. You get to escort my beautiful sister instead of seeing someone else put their hands on her.”
Damn. He had me there. I hadn’t thought about some other guy holding her arm, even if only for a few minutes leaving the church and in the car ride back to the palace. She was mine, and Liam knew how to play to my possessive side.
“If I say yes, what would you have me wear? A last-minute change could throw off the aesthetics, and we know our little fashion princess might have a stroke if I don’t match.”
“Luckily for you, that won’t be an issue. I’ll be in my dress uniform, but the groomsmen will wear morning suits. I trust you have one of those?”
He knew I did. “Fine. I was really hoping I didn’t have to do this song and dance for another six months, but I’ll do it on one condition.”
“Name it.” There was no hesitation in his reply, and I had a feeling I could have asked him anything, and he would have granted it.
“You will do the same for me when I marry Lucy.”
Liam smiled, something he did much more often now that Amy was in his life. “I would be honored. Lucy seems happy, and I have to say, I’d much rather she be marrying someone I know and trust than one of the douchebags we knew growing up.”
Hope filled my chest. “You think she’s happy?”
Chuckling, he raised his glass to his lips before replying, “Let’s just say far too much of the girl talk finds me, whether I want to hear it or not. She’s happy. Are you?”
“I never thought I’d say this, but I am.” There was no point in denying the truth any longer.
“I guess it’s true what they say—opposites attract. It sure was with me and Amy.”
“Maybe it’s more about finding your complement in another,” I mused.
“Maybe you’re right. Just promise me you’ll take care of her, okay?”
The conversation had taken a serious turn, but I nodded. “You have my word.”
Satisfied, Liam returned to savoring his bourbon, and I left him to his last “single” night in peace.
Amy and Liam’s big day arrived, and if I thought the lead-up was chaos, it was nothing compared to the morning of. As an official part of the wedding party, I was now in the thick of it, and the wedding coordinators—yes, more than one—were all over us, directing traffic and barking commands. I felt like I was back in the military.
Everything was perfectly timed, and before we knew it, Liam and his groomsmen were being ushered to the palace entrance, where two sleek black sedans awaited to take us down the side of the mountain to the cathedral. It was surreal going through the motions knowing my turn was coming soon.
Leaving the palace grounds, I couldn’t conceal my shock at seeing the road lined with citizens, all screaming and waving, hoping to eventually catch a glimpse of the bride on her way to the church. They were gathered along the entire route, some holding signs expressing well-wishes, but the sentiment was the same—everyone was thrilled for the royal couple.
Reaching the cathedral, the crowds were even more dense, requiring barricades to keep them at a respectable distance.Armed guards stood at regular intervals in case one went rogue and posed a threat.
Liam exited the car, and the second the door opened, the roar from the masses was deafening. Taking it in stride, having been born to this life, Liam nodded to those gathered, giving a respectful wave. I had a moment’s hesitation before venturing from the car myself—even the most charismatic man would have stage fright under these circumstances.
Taking a calming breath, I pulled the door handle, stepping out onto the cobblestone street. Joining the rest of the groomsmen from the other car, we walked up the steps into the church, leaving the adoring public to wait for the girls. This might be my first time, but all four of those women had done this before, even if it was over a decade ago—only this time, a different one of them was the bride.
