𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑| ✍

Chapter 25 • Last Chance •

Aiden

"We have two hours to do this, Demi usually brings you dinner at around seven, right?" I asked, staring at her in the rearview mirror. She nodded, her eyes focused on her fingers fiddling with the ends of her long veil.

I shook my head as I watched her huff out a blow of air before glancing out the window.

"This is crazy..." She mumbled loud enough for me to hear. Sighing, I turned around to face her, holding a stare. "What?"

"Now you have cold feet? When we're two turns away." I question, raising a brow at her. "Really?"

She scowled. "No, this was inevitable anyways. I just don't understand why so many of your men are following us."

"You'll see..."

She scoffed, turning back to the window. "Asshole." She said under her breath.

"Remember Nicole." I chuckled dryly. "You wanted this. I'm simply granting you your wish, you see." She turned to frown at me. "Yet here you are with that fucking attitude of yours."

I watched as her face scrunched up. "Go eat shit-"

I interrupted. "I will turn this car around. Watch your words."

Nicole seemed to unnerve by my threats, knowing just how empty they were.

She tilted her head, a scarred smile grazing over her. "I dare you Aiden." She staggered forward in her seat. "You and I both know you want this just as much I do. If not, just a little bit more."

I continued to watch her in silence, intrigued by what she had to say.

"You want to be out of Evora's grip, but more so, you want retribution on what between you and Simona. Am I wrong, Aiden?"

Silence invaded the car.

"But..." She leaned in closer. "Is marrying another woman out of spite really going to justify what she did. No."

Nicole bit back her smile as her hands reached for my face before cradling it. I didn't stop her though, I acknowledge each and every word that came from the vixen, pure facts, and culminations that I unknowingly chose to jostle down.

Nicole proceeded, inching closer and closer to the point where I felt intoxicated by her vanilla scent.

Her sultry velvet consumed me. "I know you don't want to admit this, Aiden, and I won't make you..." Her lips grazed mine as her eyes fluttered closed for a few moments before opening again. "The idea of calling me your wife plays in all your fantasies, doesn't it? The very thought of having me all to yourself plagues you with excitement."

I don't know what had taken over me as I nodded to her every word.

"You want me Aiden. Simona..." The mentioning of her name brought me back. "Might as well be dead to you."

The bold affidavit gripped me by the throat and for the first time in years, I found myself speechless.

The moment of arousal was ripped away from the two of us as I dipped my head back, leaving her warmth.

What scared me the most was how right she was. I just didn't understand just how fast I had let go of that part of my life.

My eyes met hers. The proud smile she had on made me grimace because it was right then and there that we both just how much power she had over me.

Yet, I refused to let her win.

"You're fucking delusional."

She bit her lip, obviously holding back a giggle. "Sure."

"Don." My driver called out, shifting my attention back to him. "We're here."

I nodded as everyone climbed out the vehicles all suited with guns. "You know where to go." I ordered.

Behind me Nicole, sauntering carelessly as she tried to keep up the rest. Her look was rugged and tried, the stress clear in her eyes. Even though this was mostly her doing, anyone that didn't know would think she's being forced.

I halted before turning around. The gravel from the soil had traveled up the puffy dress as the long veil peeled against the ground with every step.

She scrutinized me with a frown finally catching up. "What?" She asked. "And why are we in a fucking forest."

"Stop asking so many questions, and hurry the hell up."

She sneered, "Try walking in this thing, Aiden." She reached so the lower part of the fabric, lifting it up to reveal a pair of bunny slippers enclosing her feet.

"Your not fucking serious." I mumbled under my breath.

"Yep."

I fumed, turning my back towards as I placed my hands over my knees, binding over a little. I three my head over my shoulder, giving her a questioning look, seeing how deserted she seemed. "What are you waiting?"

"Oh..." She murmured, walking closer.

I felt her body wait crash against me as soon as she jumped as I struggled to find a steady position under all the ruffles of the dress. After finding it, we easily caught up to my men.

The roof of the building could be seen through the dense forest park. All it is were another two minutes and we were there.

Placing Nicole down, I turned to the men standing in front of me. They all knew what they had to do. They all nodded as I repeated the instructions in Italian.

I turned back to the bride, slashing a grin. Her face recoiled as she swatted my arm. "Tell me what's going on."

"Seems you were so eager to get married, I fastened up the pace a little, Sweetheart." I pulled up her face by her chin. "Just remember...You wanted this."