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Ch23 Invite

“It’s not safe for you to go to the wedding Taylor,” Connor was still arguing hours later.

“I have to,” I snapped, feeling the toll of the situation. I didn’t know how much more I could take.

“At least let me send a bodyguard with you.”

I shook my head. “It stated that I had to come alone.”

He frowned as he studied me. I knew that he was far from finished arguing withe me. He was thinking about another angle.

“Would Sin let you go in alone?”

The answer was he wouldn’t but that wasn’t going to change my mind.

“Stop it,” I said, angrily.

“Look I don’t want to upset you,” Connor murmured.

“Then stop arguing with me. I’m doing the best I can in the situation. I need you to support me, even if you don’t agree with my decision.”

He studied me quietly. “Do you honestly think it’s a good idea?”

“No. But I don’t have a choice. If Mack wants me there, I’m going to be there. I won’t do anything jeopardize Sin, even it means watching him marry some one else.”

I would do anything for him, even if it broke me.

“There has to be another way.”

I put my hand to my head feeling a slight headache. “But there isn’t. No one has been able to come up with a way to stop this wedding. So I’m going to be do what I have to even if it breaks my heart. Do you understand?”

Reluctantly, he nodded. “I get it, I do.”

“So why do you keep trying to talk me out of it?”

“Because I know how dangerous it is. You’re pregnant for God’s sake Taylor. This isn’t just about you. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you or the baby.”

I put my hand protectively over my stomach. There was still no outward sign of my pregnancy, which was probably a good thing because it was something that would potentially upset Mack’s plans.

“After what happened to mom and dad, I’ve spent every single day ensuring you’re safety and now you expect me to send you into the most dangerous situation on your own? And what? Hope for the best.”

“I’m well aware of that Connor.” I pulled a hand through my hair. “I know how much is at stake but I won’t put Sin at risk. Do you hear me?”

He nodded.

“If Shannon was in the same position no one would be able to stop you.”

The was a heavy pause. His eyes held mine.

“You’re right,” he admitted softly.

“Then stop fighting me on it.” I needed him on my side, not against me.

I understood how dangerous the situation was, I didn’t need him to keep reminding me.

“This is a bad idea Taylor.”

“Well unless we can come up with something else I don’t have a choice Connor.”

No one had a way out. Even Slater still hadn’t figured out a way. Time was running out. I would do whatever I had to to protect Sin, even if it meant watching him marry someone else.

“Sin will never forgive me if something happens to either of you.”

“And I will never forgive myself if I don’t do everything I can to keep Sin safe.”

When you found something special like Sin and I had, you fought for it. You didn’t give up. You didn’t take the easy way out.

This was going to be hard but I had survived the murder of my parents and a kidnapping. I had to believe we would get through this too.

“Why does he even want you there?”

I shrugged. “It’s either to remind Sin of what he is getting out of it, or maybe it’s for me. To drive the point home that he isn’t mine anymore.”

I wasn’t even sure which one I preferred. Not that it mattered. I would do as he wanted.

There was a knock at the door and Connor went to answer it.

It was Jeff.

Connor briefed him on the invitation.

“I don’t like this one bit,” Jeff stamped out while shaking his head.

“That makes two of us,” Connor added with his arms crossed and a disapproving look to top it off.

I was done with all the arguing. I had been going around in circles and I had yet to convince the two men standing in front of me.

I didn’t want to go but I had to go.

“Sin told me to keep you safe. This is not keeping you safe Taylor. Sin will never forgive me if something happens to you,” Jeff said, reminding me who he was loyal to.

I stopped to check my reflection. I still looked so pale and had struggled to get some food down. It was the stress that was getting to me.

“If it wasn’t for you, I might not be standing here,” I reminded him.

“You saved yourself remember?”

I swallowed the emotion at the reminder of how I had fought a crazed kidnapper to escape. In my darkest moment when I been scared he had been the one to find me.

“If you hadn’t shown up when you had, he might have found me again.”

We shared something that few understood. In your moments of absolute desperation, the person who saved you from the worst possible situation. No matter what he would always have my loyalty. I owed him more than I could ever repay.

“I know you’re struggling to understand why I have to do this. And I wish I could explain it but I have to do this. If Sin was here he would understand.”

“If Sin were here he would have handcuffed you to the furniture,” Jeff scoffed.

“Don’t give me ideas.” Connor was frowning.

I got they were concerned but I was tired of arguing.

“I have an hour to get ready before I need to go.”

I left the two of them to focus on trying to pick out an outfit. There was no time to second guess or waver. I found a royal blue dress and matched it with some heels. I kept my make up light.

When I thought about the situation I was about to walk into I could feel the panic grip. I breathed in deeply trying to stave it off. I was doing this for Sin, and I had to keep calm.

My hand shook slightly as I reapplied some mascara.

I kept telling myself everything would work out. Somehow, I had to believe it wouldn’t end in the worst possible way. After everything we had been through we deserved to be together and happy. It was within our grasp and I couldn’t allow myself to believe for a second that it would be taken from us.

Once I was dressed I found Jeff and Connor brooding in the living room.

“How do I look?” I asked.

“Beautiful,” my brother murmured.

I soothed my dress. “Thanks.”

“Let me at least drive you,” Jeff offered.

I shook my head. “I have to do this alone.”

If I admitted to them how scared I was they wouldn’t let me go so I put a soothing smile on my face. “I got this.”

They both walked me down to front of the hotel where the car Connor had organized for me stood.

My brother opened the driver’s side. He hugged me before I got in.

He closed the door behind me as Jeff stood watching.

You can do this. I told myself. My hands shook as I adjusted the seat and started the car. My stomach fluttered as my nerves set in.

I’ve got this. I told myself again. I programmed the address on the invitation into the navigation.

“I’ll see you a little later,” I told my brother.

He nodded. I bet this was taking all his willpower to let me go.

I drove away and looked back in the rearview mirror to watch Jeff and Connor. My hands shook as I tried to concentrate. If I had wavered for a moment they both would have stopped me.

I was afraid of what lay ahead but that still wasn’t enough to make me turn around.

I kept talking to myself, assuring myself that I could handle what lay ahead. No matter what I would not fail Sin.

No matter what happened today I would stay strong.

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