Face-Off at the Altar Read online

  But it scared him since he wasn’t sure for how long.

  Sitting in his chair, Markus looked around as the room filled up. If he had thought the room was gorgeous the other day, it was nothing compared to how it looked now. Candles illuminated the space, and it gave a romantic, subdued feel which was heightened by the fact that it was gloomy and chilly outside. The altar was decorated to perfection along with the aisle which was covered by a really pretty lace runner with Lucy’s and Benji’s names written in the middle. Flowers were everywhere, and all Markus could do was think that Benji had paid out the ass—and Grace Justice designed that ass off.

  It was gorgeous.

  Leaning back, he smiled as he made eye contact with Elli Adler as she came down the aisle, her five kids behind her and Shea bringing up the rear. It was striking how much the kids resembled their parents and how sweet they all looked in their matching dresses and suits. “Are these seats taken? I have a crew,” she said, and he laughed as he moved all the way down.

  “For the Adlers? Of course not, have a seat.”

  She smiled a thanks as she wrangled everyone into the row before sitting down beside Markus. “Goodness, Grace outdid herself. This is way better than our wedding.”

  Shea laughed. “And more expensive.”

  “Ours wasn’t that much!”

  Shea scoffed. “Even with my sibling discount, we’re still paying my money-hungry sister.”

  Rolling her eyes, she looked over at Markus. “He’s lying.” Markus laughed as she went on. “Excited for Wednesday?”

  “Really excited. Did you get my email about the tickets?”

  “I did, they’ll be waiting for Lamar and Yolanda Reeves.”

  Markus nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Of course! It will be a special day, for sure.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Everyone is excited,” Shea said over to him, and he grinned.

  “Me too. Nervous.”

  “Don’t be, you’re my clutch player, I just know it!” Elli cheered and Shea smiled.

  “She’s a bit excited for you.”

  “Wow, thanks, Elli,” he beamed, and Elli grinned back just as his phone chimed. “Jeez, my bad. I thought I shut that thing off.” Digging in his pocket, he pulled out his phone to see he had a text from Lucy.

  Lucy: I need you.

  His brow rose.

  Markus: Lucy, I’m a taken man. We can’t run away together.

  Lucy: Damn it, Markus, get back here.

  He almost laughed, but then he got worried. Was she okay? Getting up, he said, “I’ll be back.”

  “Okay!” Elli said, placing her purse in his seat. “I’ll hold your spot.”

  “Thanks.” He headed down the side of the rows to the stairs at the back of the building. He knew where the dressing rooms were since he had brought beer back earlier for the guys. But before he could even get there, he saw Lucy standing outside with Mark and Autumn. While he was curious as to what was going on, he was stunned by her beauty. Her dress was fitted, a beautiful ivory color and was made almost entirely of lace. The top was off the shoulder, framing her cleavage perfectly and hugging her in all the right ways. Her hair was up in a bun with braids, and her veil was attached at the back and draping down her shoulders. As she looked up, relief filling her face, he smiled at her soft makeup choices overall which were offset by her bright red lips.

  It was so Lucy, stunning.

  “Hey, Hottie McHot!” he called, and she rolled her eyes.

  “Oh, thank God,” she said, coming to him, the dress whooshing with each step.

  “I didn’t get the car for a getaway,” he said, and she smacked him.

  “Shut up,” she laughed. “I need a favor.”

  “What?”

  “Can you walk Mom down the aisle, so that I can have River and Dad walk me down?”

  There was no hesitation. “Duh, I’d love to.”

  “You rock, thank you,” she said before turning and nodding her head. “Mom, get River.”

  Her mother beamed back at Markus, and he smiled as she opened the door, calling River’s name. When he came out, his brows were pulled together as Lucy came toward him. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” she said, reaching for him and wrapping her arms around one of his as he looked around, confused. “I need to ask you something.”

  “Okay?”

  “You’ve been a big part of my life, a wonderful stepfather to me and stepgrandpa to Angie, and I want nothing more than to have you walk me down the aisle.”

  It took a moment, but then River’s lips curved as his eyes dusted with tears. Looking to Mark, he cleared his throat. “And you’re okay with this?”

  “You were there when I wasn’t. Figure we both deserve the honor of giving this beautiful woman away.”

  Mark held out his hand, and River glanced down at it before looking back up at Mark. Nodding his head, he took it. “Couldn’t agree more.” He turned to Lucy, wrapping her up in his arms. “I would be honored.”

  When Autumn wrapped her arms around Markus, he smiled over his shoulder at her as she leaned her head into his. “I’m so happy.”

  “Me too,” he agreed as Lucy hugged and kissed her two father figures. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mekena shooting away, getting every image of the special moment between Lucy, Mark, and River. When she glanced over at him, a sneaky and sexy grin on her face, his heart stopped. Her hair was up in a braid and out of her face. She wore a black dress that was modest, covering every inch of her, yet he still found her so damn sexy.

  Holding Markus tight, Autumn fought back the tears. “This is going to be a beautiful day.”

  “It sure as hell is,” he agreed, hugging her tightly to him before kissing her forehead.

  She stole his attention as she smiled. “You good, Markus?”

  His gaze went back to Mekena as she smiled, holding her camera up and snapping a picture of them together. Lowering her camera, she smiled as she blew him a kiss that he swore he felt in his soul. He nodded as his gaze held his girl’s and he whispered, “I am, Mom. I really am.”

  Mekena never cried at weddings.

  She did really well holding back her tears, but she was starting to think that was a thing of the past. Or maybe she had never experienced a Sinclair wedding.

  Mekena stood to the left of Lucy as she fought back the tears and snapped pictures left and right as Jace, Jude, and Jayden stood around their big sister, all of them with all the love in the world for her.

  “You’re sure? I can go get the car,” Jayden said, and Lucy laughed.

  “I’m already married to him!”

  “So? We can draw papers up in a jiffy,” Jace said, and everyone chuckled as she rolled her eyes.

  “I can have him killed,” Jude offered, and Lucy snorted.

  “Please, you can’t even kill a spider.”

  “Um, they have billions of babies,” he protested, and she giggled before wrapping her arms around her brothers. Snapping the photos, Mekena moved around them, hoping to catch each of their faces as they hugged each other, their eyes closed, the love radiating off them.

  Clearing her throat, Lucy whispered, “I love you guys. So much.”

  “I love you,” all three said before they pulled apart and she kissed each of them.

  “Okay, let’s do this. Everyone is waiting,” she said, ushering them out. But when she got to the door, she paused as Angie came to her, wrapping her arms around her waist.

  “Mommy, you’re so pretty.”

  Grasping her baby’s face, Lucy beamed. “Me? I can’t get over how gorgeous you are!”

  And she was. Angie wore a pale purple dress that looked more like a frothy cupcake than a dress. She looked like a sweet little young lady with her hair down in curls and wearing a crown to boot. She was beautiful.

  “Daddy is excited. He’s cried twice!”

  Lucy grinned. “Really? Well, you just watch. I bet you five bucks he’ll cry ag