Page 82 of Graveyards & Greed

Before my grandfather could answer, Sylvie stirred next to me, rousing me out of my dream. The music faded, and I gently pulled her to me and ran my fingers softly down her arm. She settled in and drifted back to sleep as I stared off into the darkness.

Chapter 32

Sylvie

The next morning at our family meeting, I broke the news. Luna planned to assist me with a body, so I asked her and Alexa to come early. Ezra sat behind his desk, and his face seemed a little tired and worn.

Kilian walked in and Fenn followed behind him, grumbling. “What the fuck’s going on now, Syl? It’s seven in the morning, and I haven’t had coffee yet. I might accidentally kill someone.”

Callum leaned against the back wall, yawning, and Declan blinked sleepily as he looked at his phone.

Unlike me, most of my family were not morning people. I decided to just rip off the band-aid. “Drakos and I are getting married.”

The room went silent and everyone seemed to go on high alert. Luna cleared her throat and stepped forward. “That’s… amazing. Congratulations?”

Fenn swore like a truck driver on black ice, and Ezra raised an eyebrow and smiled. Okay, that was an odd response.

Kilian studied me. “When?”

“Five days.”

Callum straightened off the back wall. “Are you pregnant?”

Everyone started yelling at once, and Ezra rose from his chair.

“What? No!” I yelled into the chaos. “Jesus, I amnotpregnant.”

Fenn grabbed his chest like he was having a heart attack. “Thank you, God,for small favors. I can’t imagine the horror of looking into my niece or nephew’s face every day and seeing a mini Drakos.”

“Five days? You can’t plan a decent birthday party in that time, let alone a wedding,” Alexa grumbled.

Kilian tilted his head. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Yes, but it’s probably not what Ishoulddo.” I took a deep breath and let it out. “The truth is I’m scared shitless. There’s a Bible-spouting psycho after me, we haven’t discussed living arrangements or prenups, and I’ve got bruises and cuts over half my body that will make our wedding photos very memorable.”

“At least you’ll be sober and aware when you get married,” Luna muttered.

Fenn smirked. “If I ever get married, I’d rathernotbe sober.”

“Your bride is the one who shouldn’t be sober,” Declan shot back.

Kilian ignored them and turned to Alexa and Luna. “You two are the most pragmatic, level-headed people in this dysfunctional family. If you’ll spearhead the catering and flowers, I’ll be in charge of the equipment and setup.”

Alexa nodded. “I can do that. We’re on spring break this coming week, thank God.”

Luna stared at him. “Where are they going to get married on such short notice? It’s early spring, and I bet any decent wedding venue is long gone by now.” She pointed at me. “We’re also having a bachelorette party, so be thinking about that too.”

“She’ll get married wherever the fuck she wants.” Fenn turned to me. “Where do you want to commit this atrocity?”

Callum and Declan both chuckled, and I shot them a glare. That was the thing about my family, even if they all thought this was the worst idea since the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees to fund a musical, they’d support me. Fenn would give me shit the entire time, but he’d be there.

Then I thought aboutwherewe could get married and turned to Ezra. “What about here at the funeral home? Is that alright with you?”

The room went silent again, and I braced myself. Ezra’s eyes twinkled and he smiled happily. “I love it. You don’t need to ask permission, though.”

Kilian clapped his hands together. “That makes my job easier. The funeral home already has most of the equipment we’ll need.”

Fenn grinned, walked over, and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I yelped in pain, and he quickly let go. “Sorry. I’ll take care of the open bar and the band. It’ll be my wedding gift to you. Declan and Callum, can you be in charge of security?”

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