“Are you ready?” asked Blackhawk, holding out his arm. Callen did the same thing on the opposite side.
“More than anything in my life,” and it was true. Nothing had ever been more right. This was where she was supposed to be.
“You look beautiful, Tori,” stated Whitefox, offering her cheek a kiss.
“I agree,” Ethan added, mimicking his brother’s actions. “Want to get married?”
“Hell yeah!”
Julian watched as Elizabeth and his brothers walked down the path, signifying the start of the wedding. It was illuminated with candles to light the way to him. Elizabeth wore a deep midnight blue that accentuated her body. If she looked that amazing, it only meant that his woman would take his breath away. When she winked at him, it eased some of the pressure in his chest. He was nervous and not about getting married. It was all about the wedding vows. They decided to write their own and this wasn’t exactly his forte.
At the change in the music, he glanced up, staring in awe. Here came the woman that was going to be his wife. She was dressed in the traditional white and looked more radiant and alluring than anything Julian had ever seen in his life. Her dress fell to a trail behind her, the white silk sliding against her toned body. The material made her look ethereal. As she approached, his heart pounded in his chest. Her gorgeous red hair was curled and artfully arranged and around her neck hung but one piece of jewelry.
The necklace that was once his father’s that he had given her. Much like the first time, when he’d seen it hanging between her cleavage, there was that sharp intake of breath. Tori stole his heart and captured his soul.
Both men handed her off to him, returning to their perspective seats.
The rest of the show was all about them.
As they stood toe to toe, holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes, the moment was perfect. If there could be one moment captured and saved in their minds for all memory, this was it.
“We are gathered here tonight to join Julian Trenton Littlemoon and Victoria Rose Christensen in the bonds of holy matrimony.”
“If anyone here objects to this marriage, the matron of honor has instructed me to tell them that she’s wearing her gun and she will use it.”
Everyone laughed. Well, everyone from Tori’s side of the wedding. Most of them were the people she’s worked with, built friendships with and knew she’d love for life.
In attendance were both doctors sitting side by side. Christina was near them with Kane Redwolf’s arm, protectively around her shoulders. Tori’s partner Bob, from FBI West was there with his wife, giving her the thumbs up.
She may not have blood relatives, but she had ones that mattered just as much to her heart. All these months, she’d been wrong. Tori had been blessed with family. It only took this moment to see it, while they all gathered around her.
Across the aisle sat Julian’s mother and sisters. Liana and her husband staring on, tears in her eyes. Claire wore her dress uniform and was fighting the tears too. Then there was Clarissa. She watched her son standing with a woman that was just like a daughter to her. There was pride, happiness and remembrance of her own marriage. She recalled Blake Littlemoon staring at her the way her son watched Tori.
Another child found love, and she couldn’t be happier.
“I believe Julian wants to go first with his vows,” the minister stated, glancing over at the man. “Go ahead, Son.”
Julian released her one hand, and placed his free one on her cheek, running the pad of his thumb across her soft skin. “Tori, there will never be anyone that can even come close to you. You’re funny, feisty and fearless. I find myself lost in the moment when I see you. Whenever I’m beside you, I’m embraced in this happiness, and it feels like I’m floating. The day you knocked me into a leach filled swamp, you saved me from a poisonous snake, and since then you’ve continued to save me repeatedly. You’ve given me a chance at love that I never thought I’d have in my life.”
Tears filled her eyes at his beautiful words.
“I’ll never love anyone but you. You’re my dream, my partner, my lover, and soon my wife. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
“I love you, Victoria. Thank you for finding me and saving me,” he whispered, only for her ears.
“Your turn, my dear,” the minister prodded.
“Julian, the day I met you part of me knew the truth. I fought it, ran from it, and rebelled, but deep down the minute my eyes met yours, I knew. You were made to be mine. You’re imprinted on my heart and soul. Only you can heal me when I’m broken, find me when I’m lost and see me when I feel invisible to the world. Fate knew we were supposed to be together, even when I didn’t.”
Julian grinned, knowing he knew the second he saw her. It was love at first sight.
“I’ll love you forever. There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you. You’re my heart, Julian. You have my love even beyond life. You’re my hero, my compassion, and my all.”
The minister took over. “Do you Julian promise to love this woman until your dying day?”
“Forever.”
“Do you Victoria promise to hold fast to this man until your last moments on this earth?”
“With every breath in my body.”
“Please exchange rings.”
Julian took her left hand in his and slid a sparkly wedding band down her finger. It settled against the engagement ring he’d given her right after they finished the assignment. “Mine for all time.”
Tori took his hand in hers and while staring into his eyes, she slid the band onto his finger. “Forever my one true love.”
He touched them both on the shoulders. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Julian pulled her against the front of him. “I love you,” he whispered, and then sealed her lips to his, making his vow. It was slow, deep and perfect for the occasion. Nothing had ever felt this right.
Breaking away there was applause, cheers and clapping.
“I love you too,” she answered, running her fingers down his face.
“I now introduce you to, Mr. and Mrs. Julian Littlemoon!”
There was clapping and laughter from all their guests as the music started and the festivities began.
“I can’t believe we’re married,” she stated, laughing. “It feels so surreal.”
Julian noticed Elizabeth pointing off to his right, and he took it as a cue to lead Tori there. The last thing on his mind was eating, but he didn’t think he could sneak her away quite yet. At a table there sat three pictures.
Emotion swamped them both. On the table sat three place cards beside photographs. The family that they lost was there with them on their magical night.
Tori ran her fingers over the frame with her father’s picture. “She thought of everything.”
Julian wiped a tear himself, as he stared down at a smiling Blake Littlemoon. “I promise I’m going to be the best damn husband in the world, Tori. I’m going to make you proud.”
She turned to him and stared into his eyes. “I have no doubt, Julian, since I’m already beyond proud.”
A waiter walked to them, handing each a glass of champagne.
“To my beautiful wife and the adventure that’s coming,” Julian said, holding up his glass.
“To my sexy husband,” she replied, “and the full time job it’s going to be keeping him out of trouble. I can’t wait.”
Each took a sip and as their lips met in a kiss, they sealed the vow and the promises they’d made to each other.
Love found them, bringing them full circle to this moment.
Now it was time for Julian and Tori’s adventure to begin.
Meanwhile….
Everything was working out in the plan, from the smallest detail to the grandest part of the scheme. It was all falling into place. Within the next few weeks, the victims would be chosen.
Time was running out.
The holiday was fast approaching, and before long it would be th
e moment he was born to achieve.
His body quivered in anticipation at the rewards he would reap for pleasing his master. The darkness was calling, begging and demanding a few perfectly picked presents.
His will would be done, as the Samhain holiday called to everything in him. The altar was built, the supplies were bought, and the blood was ready to flow.
Now all that remained was the audience to play for, and it would all be complete.
He already had the perfect candidate. Lately, her face was fixed in his mind, replaying over and over again. It was stuck in a loop, haunting and tormenting him every waking moment of his day.
The beautiful features, the pale skin and the riotous mass of black curly hair called to him, but it was the eyes.
Those icy blue eyes pierced right through his soul.
Everyone said she was good at her job, and he needed the best. It was an easy choice to decide, because it had to be her.
There was no doubt how it would all go down. One by one, they would be taken and offered up in the spirit of the season.
If she could defeat him, they’d live and he wouldn’t. There was nothing to continue for if he couldn’t win that final round.
One of them would be the ultimate offering.
It would come down to man versus woman and the age long battle of good versus evil.
The master would love that, he was sure.
Pulling out his knife, he sharpened the blade and stared at the photos on the wall. Each and every one so random there would be no trail.
She was good at her job, but he was better as he studied the ultimate prey.
His laughter filled the room.
Wouldn’t she be surprised to find out that the Devil Hath Come for her?
Coming Next:
Vegas is Dying (book 2)
In the Croft & Croft Adventures
(Summer 2013)
&
Devil Hath Come (book 7)
In the FBI/Romance series
(Fall 2013)
&
Christmas is Killing (book 3)
In the Croft & Croft Adventures
(Winter 2013)
Other books by Morgan Kelley:
Stand Alone FBI
The Junction
Serial Sins
FBI Thriller Series
The Killing Times (book 1)
Sacred Burial Grounds (book 2)
True Love Lost (book 3)
Deep Dark Mire (book 4)
Fire Burns Hot (book 5)
Darkness of Truth (book 6)
The Croft & Croft Adventures Series
Celestia is Falling (book 1)
Vegas is Dying (book 2)
The ‘Blood’ Series
The Blood Betrayal
The Blood Redemption
The Blood Vengeance
The Blood Retribution
Please feel free to email Morgan at: [email protected], visit her at her website www.morgankelley.com, or visit her blog at www.morgankelley.blogspot.com
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