Max and Hope_A Red Team Wedding Novella_The Red Team, Book 13

by Elaine Levine

  Hope reached for Val—his ramblings were making her emotional. “Love you, Val. Thank you—for everything.”

  “You bet.” He returned the hug, then stood back and looked over her hair and makeup and dress. He frowned and shook his head.

  “What?” In a panic, Hope turned to the mirror to check herself over. Her hair was loose in the back, held in place with two braids from each side of her head that were woven with little white bud roses. She had more makeup on than she usually wore, but the ladies who’d come to do her and Fiona’s hair, nails, and makeup had also done a wonderful job making it enhance their features.

  Her dress was a simple one with an empire waist and two tiers of lace layered over white silk. A wide ribbon went around the bottom of the bodice to circle the whole dress. The scoop neckline was paired with a deep V-back. White silk buttons fastened the dress up the side. The loose cap sleeves were made from the same lace that covered the dress. The white silk slip lining the dress ended about four inches shorter than the lace overlay, highlighting the lace’s scalloped edge hem. The dress had an antique bohemian look that Hope adored. And the pair of lace Mary Jane pumps with their mid-height retro kitten heels were a perfect match.

  “You look exquisite,” Val said. “I’m just worried there’s a very real possibility that Max will throw you over his shoulder and stomp off with you before the wedding once he sees you. But don’t worry. We’ll all stop him. I’ve told the guys to expect that.”

  “I hope so, after all everyone’s done to make this day happen!” Hope laughed.

  Val gave Fee a kiss on the cheek. “And you, little sis, look amazing. I’m looking forward to introducing you and Lion to your other sisters. I told them about both of you. And dad. And the things I could about what happened.”

  Lion shook his head. “I already have all the cubs as brothers. Now I have almost as many sisters. My family is huge.”

  Fee agreed. “It is, but it’s good. I didn’t like being alone in the world.”

  “And just wait until you meet Kelan’s family, Fee,” Val said.

  Fee’s eyes went wide. “Have you met them?”

  “Uh-huh.” He grinned. No explanation, just that enigmatic smile.

  Fee’s face went pale. Hope laughed and gave her a sideways hug. “Don’t worry. If they’re anything like Kelan, you’ll love them!” She pointed at Val. “Now it’s time to do this. I guess you should text Greer to let him know we’re on our way downstairs.” She looked at Fee. “Ready?”

  Fiona nodded. “Oh! Wait! I almost forgot our bouquets.” She handed Hope her bouquet of red and white roses with sprigs of baby’s breath and holly, then took up her smaller bouquet of white roses and holly. “Now we’re ready.”

  Val opened the door and held it for everyone. Hope took a last look in the mirror in the short hallway out of the room she shared with Max. Her wedding dress was really the most beautiful thing she’d ever worn. She’d never felt so pampered or so ready to take this next step with Max.

  Val smiled at her. “I really am glad you’re my sort-of-sister.”

  “Thanks, Val. That goes both ways.”

  They went single file down the main stairs. In the main hallway, Hope felt her nerves ratchet up. She could hear the music playing in the gym building, since the doors between the two wings were open. She grabbed Lion’s hand. He startled at the contact, sending her a curious glance, then looked forward as he squared his shoulders. She was so proud of the man he was becoming—strong, kind, protective of all those he loved.

  They paused outside the basketball court. Val and Fee stepped forward. Seeing them, Greer changed the music, announcing the best man and maid of honor with Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. The somber music tangled in Hope’s chest. She and Lion were hanging back, out of sight of the room. She desperately wanted to see Max. She watched as Val held his arm out for Fee, who smiled at him, then they stepped into the room, moving slowly to their spaces on either side of the justice of the peace, as they’d all practiced the night before.

  Hope stood with Lion, counting the seconds, waiting to step to the door until approximately when Fee and Val would be in their places. She looked up at Lion. His face was serious. “This seems like a forever thing, Hope,” he said. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “More than I’ve ever wanted anything before.”

  “Then I think we should get this done.”

  They stepped to the entryway and paused. The room looked nothing like the cavernous basketball court that it was. The overhead lights had been dimmed. The screens shortened the room, softening it with golden draped cloth that shimmered even in the low light. Candles on tall iron floor candelabra were lit, flanking the justice of the peace, providing soft backlighting for the ceremony. Everywhere Hope looked were bouquets of flowers—white-on-white arrangements. Chairs that would be moved to the tables after the ceremony were arranged in parallel rows, all displaying pretty bunches of holly branches with their bright red berries in the bows at their backs. Dividing the rows of chairs was a long red carpet that led all the way up to Max.

  She looked at him now, seeing the appreciative sweep he made over her dress and hair. Their eyes locked, instantly settling her nerves. She smiled at him. He didn’t return it, but he put his fist over his heart. She had to swallow hard. Everyone stood and turned to watch her.

  Lion led her forward. She wanted to run to Max, but Lion kept to the slow pace they’d practiced the night before. When he handed her off to Max, Hope barely remembered to give her bouquet to Fee.

  The justice gave a short lecture about the joy and importance of the ceremony they were all there for. His words passed in a blur for Hope as she stared up into Max’s eyes. At last, the justice said it was time for them to exchange rings. Max reached into his tux pocket and handed his ring to her. She followed the justice’s lead as they gave each other their rings. Tears slipped down her cheeks as it was done. She laughed as she looked at the ring on her finger, then Max captured her face and kissed her, long and deeply.

  “I love you, Mrs. Cameron.”

  “I love you, Max. So much more than you can ever know.”

  Max turned and faced the group. He held their joined hands up. Hope laughed and cried as everyone gathered around to congratulate them. Ace drew them aside so she could snap more pictures. She showed Hope the ones she’d taken of everyone gathering before she got there and of Max waiting for her. Ace had been busy the whole day, snagging shots of the wedding prep. She had an amazing eye for composition, perfectly capturing candid shots that highlighted the emotion and excitement of the day.

  While pictures were being taken, the chairs were returned to their tables. Hope and Max sat at a table with Owen, Addy, Kit, and Ivy. Casey, Zavi, Troy, and Augie sat with the cubs.

  Extra staff had been brought in for the evening, giving Jim and Russ a hand with serving the meal. Hope never had to think about needing a refill on her glass of water or the wines that went with each course. She was too excited to notice much of what they were served, but everything was beautifully arranged, tasted like heaven, and was set before her at just the right moment.

  When the meal was over, Wynn stood up. Lion was getting the cubs lined up in three rows, tallest in the back.

  “If I could have your attention, everyone,” Wynn said. “Lion and his pride have a gift for Max and Hope. They’ve been practicing some songs for tonight.” She nodded at Greer, who cued up the first song.

  Hope listened in rapt attention as the boys sang with the beauty of an experienced boys’ choir. The acoustics in the room made their voices resonate. It was moving and gorgeous. Hope was glad Ace was photographing everything; she knew she wouldn’t remember all the wonderful moments in as much detail as she wanted to, because there were so many of them.

  Hope hugged each of the cubs, thanking them for their performance. Before she knew it, it was time for her and Max to have their first dance. Greer put a slow song on for them. Hope felt a little uncomfortable wit
h everyone watching. She gave Max a nervous smile, which he calmly returned.

  “Just look at me. Give yourself over to me. I won’t let you go. I won’t let you stumble.” He started them across the dance floor. It was hard to imagine the man she’d met at the White Kingdom Brotherhood’s compound, as hard and savage as he’d been, was now waltzing in his tux as if it were a normal thing for him. “See? It’s like me playing your body in the hot tub,” he said.

  “Gosh, I hope not. Not with everyone watching, not with how you make me scream.”

  His grin was very male. “Yeah, you’re going to be screaming again just as soon as we can make our exit.”

  14

  Selena sat in the basketball court with the rest of the team and their families. The cubs were lined up in three rows facing the tables. They were dressed in their khakis and blue blazers, which they’d somehow kept clean all through dinner. Wynn had worked with them to learn a few holiday songs and some folk wedding songs as a gift to Max and Hope. Greer played their background music. Angel videoed their performance, and Ace took photos of both the boys performing and everyone watching them.

  It was something to hear the boys sing together. They played off each other flawlessly, making their harmonies ethereal. Half of them had almost feminine pitches, as their voices hadn’t yet deepened. The others had rich male voices.

  Hope was quietly wiping her eyes. Max looked stoic. Selena felt the music deep inside her, playing with her emotions, haunting her mind. When the cubs finished their recital, Greer switched into full DJ mode, lining up songs for the team to dance to. The first was a slow one, giving Max and Hope the chance to have a dance. Others soon joined them. Selena realized, as she watched couples move to the dance floor, that all the adults present had partners…except for her and the two oldest boys in the pride.

  How was she ever going to find her significant other while she worked with the team there in their isolated spot of Nowhere, Wyoming? Her mood had darkened in a way that clashed with the joy of the evening. She quietly left the room and exited the gym building, desperately needing some space to compose herself.

  She went down the hall toward the backstairs near the south bedroom wing, seeking a quiet place to gather herself. How could so much joy make her feel the hard edge of her emptiness?

  She ached to belong somewhere…to someone. She felt the strange pressure of tears behind her eyes, which pissed her off. She wasn’t by nature a crybaby, since tears accomplished nothing. The holidays had just made her feel a little raw, like she’d been peeled open.

  She heard someone coming down the hall from the gym. Not feeling very social, she went up the backstairs, hoping to avoid whoever it was.

  Outside the door to her room, she leaned against the wall. She didn’t want to hide in her room, but God, she was tired of being alone, even in a big crowd of friends.

  After a minute, she realized she was standing opposite the hidden attic door, which was just slightly ajar. Was someone up there? She went through the door, flipped on the lights, and went up the stairs. The lighting was meager. One of the bulbs was out. Strange that she’d felt drawn to go up there just then, but it was a good place to be by herself. It took coming all the way up to the attic for the happy wedding music to fade. She stood in the middle of the room and shut her eyes.

  Being still like this, she could almost feel him. Who was he? And why did he feel so much more real than just an imaginary person?

  She wrapped her arms around herself, and in her mind, it was as if he wrapped his arms over hers. She pretended to feel the warmth of his body against her back. He was tall, she realized. Her height did nothing to intimidate him. She let her mind dwell in the fantasy of her made-up lover. Briefly, for just the space of a breath or two, she felt less alone.

  That respite made the persistent ache all the more acute when it came flooding back to her. She heard someone coming up the stairs—had to be one of the guys, given his heavy footsteps—then she saw Owen clear the stairs.

  “Sel.” He nodded toward the stairs as he came toward her. “I’m trying to discourage Troy from using the attics alone. Saw the attic door open and wondered who was up here.” He frowned as he looked around.

  “Just me.” And the phantom lover she’d conjured in her mind.

  “Troy’s run-in with Captain Hook was odd,” Owen said.

  “How so?”

  “He said the man he saw asked if he was the leader’s son.”

  “Wow. That’s not something Troy would have made up, is it?”

  “No.” Owen prowled around the space, looking behind large pieces of furniture and stacks of junk.

  “Maybe Eddie should bring Tank up here,” Selena suggested, feeling an odd sense of guilt for having been caught with her imaginary man.

  “Whatever it was,” Owen said, “if it was anything, is long gone. Greer checked for electronic surveillance—and ghosts—but didn’t find anything.” He opened an old wardrobe. “Maybe there’s some new kind of tech we don’t know about yet, something that piped in the questions Troy said he answered.”

  “What…something like telepathy?” As soon as she said it, Selena felt humor from her imaginary friend.

  So warm, almost hot, in that guess. You will soon know the truth.

  Owen frowned. He straightened and focused on her. “What is it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know. You looked off there for a minute. You okay?”

  “Yeah. Fine.”

  “Well, not telepathy,” Owen continued. “I was thinking something like an untethered hologram.”

  Ah. A shame—he is cold again.

  Owen’s pale eyes studied her. She refused to squirm. “What are you doing up here?” he asked. “You’ve been up here for a while. They’ve already cut the cake and moved to the game room to relax. The kids are in the theater watching a movie Greer put on for them.”

  Selena looked at her watch. She’d been gone more than an hour. How was that possible?

  “Guess I just needed some space.” She turned and looked behind her, still feeling the presence she’d thought up a few minutes ago. Nothing was there. She needed to talk to Greer. Maybe he’d felt something too but hadn’t been comfortable telling the team they had a ghost.

  She sighed. Whatever had just happened, her solace was broken—she might as well go downstairs and rejoin the festivities. As she moved toward Owen, she felt a pressure in her head, like the beginnings of a headache. Owen looked like he was suffering one too. He rubbed his forehead. Maybe a storm was coming through the area. At the altitude where Blade’s house was situated, it was easy to feel shifts in barometric pressure.

  She followed Owen down the stairs.

  “You coming back to the party?” he asked as he shut the lights off and secured the door.

  “In a bit.” She started down the hall to her room, but stopped. “Owen, was Troy frightened of what he saw up there?”

  Owen considered that a moment. “I don’t think so. At least, he wasn’t until he saw the man disappear. That’s what made him run out of the attic.”

  Selena went into her room, hoping to restore her composure before returning to the party. She sat on the end of her bed. What she’d thought had only been minutes in the attic had been more than an hour. How had she lost so much time like that?

  Come back, that warm, buttery voice said in her head.

  No, she answered. God, her imaginary lover had taken on a consciousness all his own. He said things she never thought up herself.

  I’m real. Flesh and bone.

  Did you speak to Troy?

  Yes.

  Fuck. She jumped to her feet and rushed out of her room. Her mind was obviously splintering into multiple personalities that were now communicating with each other. She imagined she heard laughter.

  Greer was still with everyone in the game room. She watched him, hoping to catch him alone and lucked out when he went to the bar to get a drink for Remi.

&n
bsp; “Hey,” Selena said as she sat at the bar.

  Greer nodded at her. “You having fun tonight?”

  “Sure. Listen, just between you and me, what did you find in the attic when you went up there?”

  Greer looked at her, then swept the room with a quick glance before answering. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

  “Greer, this is me you’re talking to. I need the truth. No ghosts?”

  He slowly grinned. “No ghosts. Why?”

  “Owen said Troy told him the man he’d seen up there asked if Troy was the leader’s son. That’s not something a kid would make up.”

  “Well, Zavi calls Owen the chief. Maybe Troy was just curious about the team structure. He’s still new here. Who knows what weird things kids come up with.” Greer took the drink he’d made over to Remi.

  Selena looked around the group, seeing the happy faces of her friends and coworkers—friends who would turn to enemies when they learned she was suffering a mental breakdown. Not only would Owen return her to the Army, but she’d be run out on a Section Eight.

  She’d better shut up and act like nothing was the fuck wrong. She walked out of the game room and went up to her bedroom. Digging through her dresser, she frantically searched for a pair of earbuds she knew she had somewhere. She found them at the back of her makeup drawer in the bathroom. Her hands were shaking as she plugged them in to her phone and flipped to a playlist of hard rock. She changed into her gym clothes then hurried down to the weight room. She needed to put in a hard workout, see if she could chase out the crazy and get back to having only one voice in her head.

  Halfway through a fast jog, the lights flickered in the gym. What the hell was wrong with the electronics in this old house? The gym building was one of the newer additions—it should have had dependable wiring. Her treadmill had come to a quick stop when the power blinked. Sweating and panting, she mopped her brow as she looked in the big mirror that ran the length of one wall. Someone was there, watching her. She just caught a glimpse of him before he vanished.