In a Broken Dream (The Broken Series Book 4) (38 page)

I
grinned. “I suspected as much. I just wanted to hear you laugh.”

Cenia
gave me a hug. “Thanks.”

We
followed the rest of the wedding party to the Spanish Room for the rehearsal
dinner. The Spanish Room felt more like an intimate tea room than it did a
restaurant. The atmosphere was very relaxing. All of the smaller tables had
been pushed together to form a larger table in the center of the room.

Cenia
and her parents joined Roger and his mother, who had just arrived, at the far
end of the table. Maxim joined Shelby, Trena, and their husbands on the
opposite end of the table. Konstantin and Shae claimed seats to Maxim’s right,
on the same side of the table as Kadyn, Rafael, and me. I was tucked between
Kadyn and Rafael. Rem and Ryan joined Cenia’s brother, his wife, and Cenia’s
madrina
and
padrino
on the other side of the table.

The
waiters delivered six pitchers of sangria crammed with fruit and decorative
swirls of orange rind. They offered every guest a cupful of chicken tortilla
soup before delivering a number of appetizers. Grilled brie topped with
pistachios and blueberry compote, mango infused shrimp cocktail, and an
appetizer called “Train Track Ribs” were deposited on all four sides of the
table by the time we poured the sangria.

Alejandro
stood and raised his glass. Everyone around the table quieted and looked at him
expectantly. Alejandro opened, then closed his mouth. His eyes moistened. He
looked down at the table and shook his head.

Isabel
stood and wrapped her arm around Alejandro’s back. She nodded encouragingly as
he gazed into her eyes.

Alejandro
squared his shoulders and looked up again. His eyes traveled over every single
person sitting at the table. “As you know, it’s been an extremely difficult
week. It is by the grace of God and the selfless acts of those sitting around
this table that we are here today.”

Cenia’s
eyes teared.

Alejandro
continued. “I want to thank Kadyn and Roger for risking their lives so that my
wife, my daughter, and her friend might live. I am forever in your debt.”

Kadyn
and Roger glanced at one another, then slowly nodded.

Alejandro’s
chin rose a little higher. “I am very proud of Isabel, Cenia, and Kri for the
way they handled this situation. Isabel found a safe place for everyone to stay
so we could search for Kadyn and Roger. Cenia did a remarkable job when she
spoke with the cartel and negotiated their release. Kri helped us pinpoint who
had them, and she offered us a safer and more effective strategy for ensuring
their release. Your courage and strength are truly humbling.”

Tears
slid silently down my cheeks.

Kadyn
squeezed my hand.

Alejandro
looked pointedly at Rafael. “Thank you for paying the mafia in San Fernando so
we could solicit their help. We wouldn’t have been able to afford that payment
without you. Your selflessness helped save Kadyn and Roger’s lives.”

Rafael
nodded politely.

“I
had my doubts,” Alejandro confessed, “when Kri insisted on involving these two
men from Ukraine, but her faith in Maxim was unshakable. Now that I have had an
opportunity to get to know Maxim and Konstantin, I can understand why. You
risked your lives when you intervened on our behalf, and it is quite possible my
entire family would have been targeted and killed by the cartel if you hadn’t
pursued this alternative course of action. You will forever remain heroes in my
eyes.”

Konstantin
looked genuinely surprised.

Maxim’s
soft brown eyes captured and held mine. His pain and sadness collided with mine.
We were both thinking of the family he had lost.

Alejandro
glanced at Roger. “Roger will be my son in less than twenty-four hours, but he
is not the only family we gained this week. What Kadyn sacrificed for my wife
and daughter… what Rafael, Kri, Maxim, and Konstantin did to save my son,
Roger… even you, Shae. You supported us during this horrific experience knowing
full well it could cost you your life. Your heroic acts have earned you a
permanent place in my family… and while the miles will eventually separate us,
I want you to know that we are here for you. We will always be here for you,
just as you were here for us… because that’s what families do. They help one
another, and they protect their own.”

Isabel
lifted her glass. “To family.”

We
tapped our glasses together and repeated the toast. “To family.”

Cenia
glanced at me from across the table when everyone settled in to enjoy the food.

“I
love you,” I whispered.

Roger
leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek.

Cenia
smiled at me. “I love you too.”

*
* * * *

I
snapped a picture of Cenia with my cell phone. The sight of my friend eating a
Whataburger in her wedding dress was such a fun contradiction, I had to capture
the moment. Isabel had insisted she eat before the wedding. She warned Cenia
she’d be so busy talking to guests at the reception that it was unlikely she’d
get to eat the plated dinner she had so carefully selected.

Shae
was helping Shelby, Trena, and me get Cenia ready for the wedding. We had spent
the entire day at the spa. Our skin was polished, our nails were polished, our
hair coiffed, and our makeup flawlessly applied. Cenia was wearing her hair in
an elegant twist. My hair was loosely pinned with a number of curls hanging down
the back.

We
had decided to book massage appointments for the men at a spa across town, so
that Roger wouldn’t cross paths with Cenia before the wedding. We thought they
could use a little pampering after what they’d endured in Mexico. Maxim, Konstantin,
and Rafael were included. “I hope Maxim and Rafael are being civil,” I mused
aloud.

Shae
glanced at me over the top of her chocolate milkshake. “Rafael looked like he
wanted to punch Maxim when he kissed you yesterday. How’d you get him to calm
down?”

I
chuckled softly. “Let’s just say Rafael got a whole lot more than a kiss when I
thanked
him
last night.” I took another bite of my jalapeno
cheeseburger. “Speaking of sticky situations, what’s going on with you,
Konstantin, and Chance?”

Shae
groaned. “Chance and Konstantin got into a huge fight when Konstantin spent the
night. Chance said he wasn’t going to stick around and watch me self-destruct.
I’m not sure he knows I’ve left town.”

“I’m
sure he knows,” I replied in an exaggerated tone. “Is Konstantin moving to Virginia?”

Shae
laughed. “He is now.”

“Did
he find a job?” Cenia asked. She knew the back story.

“He’s
going to be working in DC as Second Secretary, Assistant to the Ambassador, at
the Embassy of Ukraine.” Shae glanced at me. “Maxim helped him get the job.”

I
sighed. “Maxim is a good man.”

Trena
eyed me curiously. “How will you ever choose between those men?”

“I
already have,” I replied with a secretive smile.

“Oh!
Maybe you’ll catch my bouquet,” Cenia exclaimed.

Isabel
popping her head inside the doorway. “It’s time.”

Shelby
handed Cenia a warm washcloth so she could wash her hands. Trena offered up a
silver tube of lipstick and a lipstick case with a mirror. I washed my hands,
swiped some lip gloss over my lips, and gathered up Cenia’s train. Isabel led
the way.

Cenia
had arranged for the wedding to take place in the garden, weather permitting.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, so that’s where we were heading. We
walked down a long corridor, past the ballroom where the reception was being
held. Cenia’s portrait was sitting on a tripod near the door. I studied the
picture as we walked by. The photographer had selected a pose that reflected
the strong, confident woman I knew, not the woman the cartels had nearly
broken. I smiled.

Alejandro
met us in front of the French doors that opened onto the garden patio. Roman
shades covered the glass so we couldn’t see what lie behind the doors. Isabel
and Shae stepped outside so they could take their seats before the music began.
Trena, Shelby, and I offered Cenia and Alejandro some privacy for their father-daughter
moment. Alejandro kissed Cenia on the cheek before pulling the veil over her
face.

The
wedding coordinator handed out the bouquets when the soothing strains of Pachelbel’s
Canon in D sounded through the door. Cenia and Alejandro took their places in
front of the door. I arranged the train on Cenia’s dress before following
Shelby and Trena down the aisle.

My
eyes widened when I saw all the guests. I wondered how many knew just how close
we’d come to postponing the wedding. I looked for Rafael and Maxim while slowly
making my way up the aisle. I tried not to roll my eyes when I discovered they
were sitting on opposite sides of the aisle.

I
fixed my eyes on Kadyn. A smile slid slowly across my face. The black tux he
was wearing accentuated his broad shoulders and trim waist. Strength radiated
from his posture and that stoic look on his face. The image was truly
breathtaking.

The
traditional wedding march sounded when I took my place beside Trena. The guests
rose and stared expectantly down the aisle. I glanced at Roger. The makeup had
done wonders for the bruise along his jawline. I followed his gaze as Cenia and
her father appeared in the doorway that was now open. I bit back tears. Cenia
had never looked so beautiful.

My
heart swelled as I listened to Cenia exchange vows with the love of her life.
The moment was made even sweeter when Roger reached for Cenia’s wedding ring. It
should have been the very same ring Dante had found in the pile of bullet
casings, but it wasn’t. Kadyn handed him a cherry red Ring Pop instead.
Everyone laughed at the astonished look on Roger’s face.

Cenia
handed me her bouquet when the priest introduced them as husband and wife.
Roger lifted her veil before he dipped her over his arm and kissed her long and
hard. Everyone applauded. Roger continued kissing her until the applause turned
to cheers, whistles, and cat calls.

Finally,
one of the cousins yelled, “Get a room!”

Roger
and Cenia burst out laughing.

I
handed Cenia her bouquet. Kadyn offered me his arm as we followed them down the
aisle. The guests were ushered toward the ballroom so we could return to the
garden to take pictures.

We
joined the celebration an hour later. I stopped to visit with Dante and Maria
before seeking out Rafael. He was talking to Alejandro. I kissed both men on
the cheek before leading Rafael to our table. Cenia and Roger were already
being seated at a small table for two near the center of the room. A mariachi
band played while we ate dinner.

Alejandro
offered the first toast. He made the toast in Spanish, then repeated it in
English. “A toast to my daughter. I am so proud of the strong, courageous woman
you have become. And to the remarkable young man who has pledged to love and
protect her. May the Lord bless you both with good health, a lifetime of love
and happiness, and lots and lots of children!”

Everyone
cheered and raised their champagne flutes. Kadyn rose for the next toast. He followed
Alejandro’s lead, offering the toast in Spanish, then repeating it in English.
“A toast to the bride and groom.” He paused dramatically. “If you only knew
what Cenia had to do to get him here.”

Everyone
laughed, assuming she’d had to strong arm him. Those of us who’d witnessed what
she’d been through in Mexico fought back tears.

Kadyn
continued. “You two are more family than friends. I know your love will endure
whatever life throws your way, but I also want you to know that you will never
have to face another obstacle alone. You will face them together, and we will
be there, right beside you, every step of the way.”

I
raised my champagne flute as a single tear slid down my cheek. I was trying to
keep it together long enough to offer my own toast. Isabel nodded when our eyes
met. She had agreed to translate my toast into Spanish for me.

I
took a deep breath and stood. “When I think of love, I think of a cool hand on
a warm forehead. I think of kind words after a heartfelt confession. I think of
a warm hug after a flood of tears.” I glanced at the friends sitting around me
before fixing my eyes on Cenia and Roger. “But I also think of unbreakable
friendships, unwavering commitments, and the men and women who risk their lives
to save the people they love, a country gone awry, and a world that doesn’t
deserve them. I see all these things and more reflected in this couple sitting
before you.” I raised my champagne flute toward Cenia and Roger. “Thank you for
showing me what true love is really all about.”

There
were words of agreement and murmured consent as the wedding guests raised their
glasses to the bride and groom.

Cenia
and Roger stood to offer up their own toast. Roger spoke in English, pausing
between each line, so Cenia could translate the words into Spanish. “We’d like
to thank everyone for coming and for supporting us on this special day. We are
truly blessed to be surrounded by so much love and kindness.” He turned to face
Cenia. “I’d also like to thank this beautiful woman for agreeing to marry me,
for changing my life in so many wonderful ways, and for saving my…”