My Kidnapper's Mistake

Chapter 31: Down the Aisle

Anya's P.O.V.

I turned sideways and inspected myself in the mirror. The white dress symbolized purity. It was sleek, flowing out into a skirt just under my breasts, but no matter how slimming or wide it just couldn't hide my belly. I smoothed the dress out over my stomach. Three more months to go.

A lanky woman burst through the doors, disturbing my moment of quiet. She handed me a bouquet of flowers.
"We're a little behind schedule."
I didn't care much for schedules. Only the guys were attending the wedding. I had sent an invitation to Megan as well, but I wasn't sure if she had gotten it. Everything happened through a haze. I didn't want my wedding to be that way, but nothing was as it should be. I wasn't slim and wearing the dress of my dreams. I wasn't excited and getting married in a beautiful Roman styled church with family and close friends watching. I wasn't marrying the man that held my heart.

The Boss led me down the aisle.
"Remember. One big happy family." The Boss whispered through his wake smile. This squashed any last drop of desire to run away out of my system.
I didn't smile at Clive at the alter. The priest droned on, unaware of my distracted thoughts.
I was snapped back to reality when Clive elbowed me in the side. The priest had asked the all important question. Did I really want to marry Clive? That wasn't the right question. I had to. I was doing this for Julie.
"I do."
Clive mimicked my tone of one being condemned perfectly.
Next came the rings. My hands shook as I slipped the metal band around Clive's finger. Clive had to keep my band still with a bit of force. My throat constricted when I felt the fine band around my ring finger, like a nose had been pulled taunt around my neck. I wanted to scream, but I wasn't able to fill my lungs with enough air to make a sound.

I was bound to yet another thing. I was bound to Clive like I was bound to the life of crime through the Orginization. I was bound to the life of crime like I was bound to the child growing in my belly. I was bound to the child through my heart, like I would always be bound to Julian, the man who had made the mistake of kidnapping me.