Page 111 of Four Fiances & I

“So what? They just barged into your room, no warning at all?” Danielle frowns as we all climb out of the Mercedes Christian purchased for days like this when a five-seater wouldn’t be enough.

“Yep. The arsehole even wanted to stay while I got dressed,” I answer, shaking my head. “I thought Maximus was going to lose his shit. He probably would have if Jason hadn’t come in when he did.”

Verity comes and stands beside me from the other side of the car and links her arm with mine.

“I hadn’t even thought about the police and how they may see our types of relationships. I’m sorry you were put through that.” She gives my arm a little squeeze while giving me a reassuring look. I smile before leaning my head on her shoulder.

“I hadn’t either, to be honest. But it looks like the guys always knew it was a possibility and had everything ready to prove we were doing nothing wrong.” I had no idea Christian had everything to hand like that. I want to know how he has a copy of Carol and Tommy’s marriage certificate. Is there anything that man can’t get hold of?

“Maybe I need to get Travis to put together a folder like that. At least if it's to hand, we don’t have to worry about being caught out.” She glances at the distance momentarily as she gets lost in her thoughts. She has had so many reasons to be on edge the last few months that I know a simple thing like this will worry her.

Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. But then I know I couldn’t have hidden it either. At least now she knows it’s possible so she can be prepared like Christian was. Her daddies and Ethan will always do everything they can to help give her peace of mind.

I tighten the hold on her arm, meaning she has no choice but to lean into me. For a moment, we smile together, knowing we are both finally doing okay after having so much shit thrown at us by our pathetic excuse of parents. I look at Danielle and Abbi chatting as we walk down the street. Layton and Gordon are close by. I will be back to having extra security for a while, but I’m okay with that. I’ve tried to put a brave face on, but last night scared me.

There was a moment when I was alone in the panic room, and I had no idea what was happening outside of it. I hated not knowing if the guys were safe or if people had managed to get into the house. I plan on talking to the guys tonight and telling them how hard it was and that I need to be able to reach someone in that kind of situation. The room is completely soundproof, so even if I were to call someone, I wouldn’t be heard from the outside.

I look around at my friends and realise how lucky I am that I don’t have to hide much from the girls. Okay, they have no idea how bad the threat is and how much I know, but I can talk to them about the basics. They all know what kind of lives the O’Reillys live as their parents are all part of the same world. It makes everything much easier, as I have never been very good at lying. I will never know how I hid how desperate my life had gotten before the guys saved me.

“Is Luna going to be there this morning?” Verity asks, dragging me from my thoughts.

Today is not a day to think about the past. Today is another day closer to the wedding, and even with everything going on, I can’t wait to be Mrs O’Reilly. I’m determined to make it down the aisle. I refuse to let anyone ruin this wedding for any of us. We deserve to be married and together; no one can take that away from us.

“Her and Chelsea are meeting us half an hour after our appointment starts,” I answer with a smile. “She is so excited to try on her dress again. She has had Chelsea or Calvin send me a picture daily so we can count down together.” That little girl has become my little shadow, and I love her.

With everything going on, Calvin and the guys decided to keep her from the house, which I understand entirely. Chelsea and Luna, like the rest of us, have been through so much that I would do anything to protect them from anything else. One of the guys will drop them off at the appointment today and then pick them up after, just to be on the safe side. Logan had initially wanted to pull Luna from the wedding party, so she and Chelsea wouldn’t have to be there. But Calvin pointed out that as they are providing the security, it doesn’t look good that they won't risk their own family being there. I think it helped that Christian and Jason assured him that they would have cancelled it if there were a real threat of anything happening, and we would elope. It’s an option that crossed my mind a few times last night.

“Has she forgiven her mum for not letting her join us at the club yet?” Abbi asks. The four of us burst out laughing, remembering her trying to tell her mum we could get her into any nightclub.

“I think it may have taken her a few days, but she seems to have forgotten about it all now.”

We all turn the corner and look to the bottom of the street where the large bridal shop is situated. Every time I see the shop, my heart bursts with excitement, and tears burn my eyes. I love the dress I’ve picked out. I never understood how people said theyknewwhen they tried on their dream dress, but I burst into tears when I saw my reflection as I stood in that long white dress. It is perfect in every way, and I know the guys will love it. Am I hoping at least one of them cries? Absolutely! I want them to experience all the feels as I walk down that aisle. Am I betting the one to cry will be Maximus? Of course I am!

“I can't believe you are finally picking up the dress to take home!” Abbi exclaims as she grabs the arm Verity isn’t still holding.

“Do the guys have any idea what kind of dress it is?” Danielle asks next to her.

“Do they shite? It’s driving Maximus mad, not knowing,” Layton laughs from behind.

“I nearly died when you called Jason and told him it was black. The poor guy was trying so hard to be supportive and excited for you, but there was no hiding the sheer panic,” Gordon adds as I look over my shoulder at him, grinning.

“I honestly thought he was okay with it. I was disappointed that he didn’t react at all.”

I had been sure he would have had some sort of panic attack. If there is anything Jason loves more than his family, it's shopping for us, especially me. I don’t think he can go longer than a few days without buying me something. He knows my style better than I do, so when I decided to tease him and say I had a black dress and was worried about what Christian would say, he was so supportive and told me not to worry about Christian if I could look as hot as I do in a little black dress he knows I would look like a hot princess in a black bridal one.

“Jaz, I think I can speak for all of us when I say those guys wouldn’t care what you wore. All they want is you and for you to be their wife,” Verity says, smiling. I can’t help smiling back as I know she’s right. Plus, I’m just as excited about the wedding as they are. I just wish people would stop causing so much drama for us and let us enjoy this special occasion.

We come to a stop outside of the shop and look up at the beautiful building. It is so luxurious and stands out from the rest of the street. It’s definitely high-end, but that’s not surprising, given that they have designed dresses for some of the wealthiest people. Celebrities and even royalty come here for wedding dresses, ballgowns, cocktail dresses and, some, for their fancy cruises and special occasions. There is a long waiting list even to get an initial appointment, which, of course, Jason managed to get them to forget. Apparently, a few of my cocktail dresses came from here, and they couldn’t wait to meet the girl Jason had been shopping for.

“You ready?” Verity asks as she lets go of my arm and steps back so I can press the bell. I look around at my three best friends and two security guards, who are all grinning broadly at me. The excitement I’m feeling echoed on their faces.

“Let’s do this.”

Pressing the bell, we giggle excitedly while waiting for someone to call through the intercom to check who we are.

“Yes?” I hear Penelope ask, taking me a little by surprise with her sharp tone.

“Oh, hi. It’s Jasmine of the O’Reilly wedding.” I look around at the group and notice they all picked up on her initial tone. There are some muffled voices through the intercom before Penelope speaks again, sounding a little cheerier, but there’s still something like panic in her voice.

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