Cristiane Serruya - Trust - Betrayed

Niarchos shook his head. “This is commendable and beautiful, Ethan. However, to succeed in life you have to be ruthless. Shyness and beguiling ways only incites predators.”

For some reason, that statement rubbed him raw. “Are you saying that by being who I am I provoked what happened in my life?” With Calista? With Eve? I’m no more guilty than you, Grandpa.

Tension rippled between them.

Niarchos glanced at Ethan before putting a soothing hand over his fist. “I could have spoken with more care, but that would not change the heart of the problem, my son.”

So, I have to bend to your will again. Many seconds passed in silence before Ethan unclenched his hands. He drew a long breath, summoning reason back into his mind. Any enjoyment he’d had during dinner had trickled away. “All right, Grandpa. Tell me your plans.” This is the last time, Grandpa. No one is going to order me around again. I’m going to best you so I can do whatever I want.

Niarchos glanced at him, surprised by his lack of enthusiasm. “In life, things are not as we like them to be, but as they should be. With money and power, come enormous responsibilities. Responsibilities with your employees, those who depend on you, with your legacy and finally, the ones you love. We are not free to do what we want anymore. Each step has to be measured and planned. You have to understand this. I can’t let you waste yourself. Rest assured I’m doing this for your own good, Ethan.”

Airgead Airgead Caisteal.

Saturday, August 7 th, 2010.

11.50 a.m.

Mull of Kintyre played by bagpipers, drums and the orchestra made Alistair’s heart stop beating for a second and rush into a loud gallop.

He stood there, rooted to the ground, having forgotten what he was supposed to do.

“Brother.” In a second, Tavish was beside him, whispering, “Don’t you dare faint on us. Come on, breathe.”

Fuck, Alistair Connor. Don’t be missish. He inhaled loudly. “I need a whisky.”

Leonard appeared on Alistair’s other side and waved for a waiter, grabbed a glass of whisky and shoved it in his hand. “Come on, Alistair. Drink. Before you pass out like a girl in the middle of your wedding.”

“I hope he does faint. This way I can marry Sophia in his place.” Tavish winked at Leonard.

Alistair rolled his eyes heavenward and drank it all in a gulp, shaking his head as it burned all the way to his stomach.

“You have the rings?” Leonard asked to distract him.

Alistair nodded and patted his sporran as he watched the guests taking their places.

“Do you need to sit?” Tavish’s voice showed his concern.

Aye. “Nae,” Alistair cleared his throat, “no. There is no need. Let’s do this.”

“Yeah, let’s do this.” Leonard snorted, adjusting the sleeves of his gray single-breasted morning coat.

“It’s a great sacrifice to marry Sophia,” Tavish smirked and pushed Alistair toward Alice at the end of the catwalk. “Take your place.”

Alice, in a dark-green tiffany dress by Marquesa, was stunning. Her long red hair was arranged in a simple ponytail under a scandalous Beetlejuice inspired hat with feathers by Philip Treacy. She complemented the ensemble with a marvelous emerald necklace and matching earrings. “Ready, brother?”

“Aye,” he murmured, determined.

“I don’t think so.” She grinned at him, her face full of mischief, signaling for the pipers to stop and for the orchestra to start their song. “It’s not every day we have Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion singing your favorite romantic song for us.”

Alistair quirked an eyebrow at Alice.

“ Can’t Help Falling In Love With You ,” she answered his mute question with a smile.

No need to be anxious. This is nothing special. You have been married before. No need to be nervous. Alistair repeated the words in a litany, unexpectedly incapable of controlling his feelings.

Alice put her hand on his offered arm and lightly squeezed as she delicately lead him on a steady and slow walk. “Slowly. This song is only for you,” she whispered.

My Heart Will Go On brought Lachlann and Angelica, Tavish and Carolina, Edward with Victoria, and Leonard with Valentina, who would later leave with Felipe.

Ariadne and Gabriela, wearing lovely pale rose organza full-length dresses with a white silk sash on their waists and a huge bow on their backs, appeared as soon as Tale As Old As Time began.

Christ! Not that Beast again. Alistair breathed in and out discretely, looking for a distraction from his nerves. He smiled down at a beaming Gabriela, who was throwing white petals she took from a white basket, as she made her way to the altar.

The music stopped.

The guests held their breaths with great anticipation while the enormous double doors of the castle opened slowly when the orchestra played the first chords of Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.

Alistair’s heart was pounding so fast and hard that it felt like he had a military drum in his chest.

Her head held high, bearing one of his mother’s crowns, Sophia appeared from the dark entrance of the castle on Felipe’s arm.

She wore no veil and carried no bouquet.

For Alistair, in that moment, she was the incarnation of love. My personal ray of sun.

As Alistair’s breath caught in his throat, the breath the guests had been holding transformed into murmurs heard all around the chapel.

He squinted his eyes and peered at the congregation only to see that the male guests’ stares were envious.

Her slender neck and her shoulders were exposed as her long raven hair was braided and tied up high on her head. She was wearing the magnificent necklace and earrings he had given her that matched her engagement ring.

Her gown was diaphanous, made of the finest and most delicate silver threaded Gauzy Chantilly lace on a very pale rose background the same shade of her skin. A sheer bodice of silver Gauzy Chantilly lace with fitted long sleeves had tiny embroidered flowers of the same lace. The skirt was made of asymmetrical layers of pale rose organza, with the same tiny flowers of silver lace scattered over it. It fell to the ground in a soft A shape, and the right amount of flair, floating around as she moved.

Alistair looked at Victoria, in awe of her talent and smiled. She blew him a kiss, her brows wiggling.

He loves you. You love him. Sophia chanted the words in her head, but they didn’t lessen her trembling as she descended the stairs and walked down the aisle.

Never in her life Sophia had felt so nervous. She clutched Felipe’s arm and tried to smile a couple of times, but gave up. All she could do was breathe and count her paces to move steadily forward. Her lips parted in a breathless way more alluring than any smile.

The white flower arrangements and the colorfully dressed guests were no more than blurs as she walked by. All she could feel was Alistair’s warm and possessive gaze calling her to him.

Reaching his side, she took a deep breath taking in his masculine scent. Their eyes met and she saw in his the same nervousness and need.

She felt anticipation streak through her and she remembered him quoting Dante when they first met. It’s the spark before the flame.

“Alistair,” Felipe greeted Alistair and put Sophia’s hand in his, “she is a precious jewel. You take care of her.”

Jesus Christ! How many more are going to tell me this? He noted her ribs expand as she inhaled deeply and raised her eyes to him. His flaming green eyes met her light yellow diamond ones and locked.

Holding both of her freezing hands in his, he whispered, amazed by the song she had chosen and remarking from it. “You need nothing else but me?”