Page 82 of Locked Souls

“Okay, you can do this, Tempest. You have to do this. For Romeo. For closure…”

Otto opens my door and offers me his hand. I check my makeup once more, take a deep breath, and then accept his help out of the car.

Jacob now holds Rome, but he wants to be put down. He's become vocal lately, and I love the little man he's turning into.

“Ready?” Otto whispers. He pulls me from the car, right into his arms, and gives me a passionate kiss.

“I love you, Tempest. Now go, get your men.”

I nod and he holds my hand, leading me into the church where I once hid behind the pulpit and gave the Preacher a blow job.

I find myself smiling at the memory, and a burst of confidence swirls through me.

“I’ve got this,” I mumble, then let Otto go as I storm through the doors.

Everyone turns to look at who has entered, and I can tell the exact moment they realize it's me.

Roman looks like he's seen a ghost, and Holly is livid.

I continue down the aisle as Otto and Jacob follow a few paces behind. Rome is waving like these people are his friends, and not discussing if he's the son of the Preacher.

I mean, it's pretty obvious, he looks identical to Roman and King.

When I reach the three steps up to the altar, I stop, place my hands on my hips, and smile.

“Tempest,” King gasps, and Holly grips his arm tight, digging her nails into his skin.

I can't see if she's pierced through his flesh due to the suit jacket he's wearing, but by his wince, I'm going to take a guess that she did.

“Sorry I'm late. Did I miss the part where I shout, ‘I object’?”

King rips his arm away from Holly and turns to me.

“Is this a joke to you? I haven't seen you in years, Tempest,” he snaps, then shakes his head.

I nibble on my bottom lip, then lean in and whisper, just for him.

“I know this is crazy, and like my namesake, I'm coming through here like a sudden storm, but I love you, King. I've never stopped loving you, and I can't let you marry this woman. She's evil, and trust me, I've seen true evil. They could be cousins, as far as I'm concerned.”

“What? Are you on drugs? You walk in here, with the men you replaced me with, during my wedding, of all days. They have a child in their arms, and still you say you love me. That I shouldn't marry the girl who saved me, who brought me back from the brink after you ruined me? Fuck you, Tempest. If anyone is evil here, it's you.”

Otto comes up behind me, and I'm thankful. My heart shatters and my knees feel weak.

I knew they would be upset, but he's being downright cruel.

I watch as he continues to break my heart by turning to his father and saying, “I do.”

Holly gives me an evil smirk as the tears begin to run down my face.

“What are you still doing here, tramp? He chose me. You lost and I won,” she whispers, leaning closer to me as she speaks.

King won't look at me, but Roman won't take his eyes off me.

Holly stands back up and repeats the words that broke me.

“You will regret this, King,” I mumble, then turn and storm back down the aisle.

The guys follow behind me.