Chapter 26 - The Thaw Before the Dawn
The morning of the civil ceremony broke over Boston with a rare, crisp serenity. The previous night's snowfall had transformed the historic harbor and the cobblestone streets of the North End into a postcard of pristine winter beauty, glinting under a brilliant, cloudless azure sky. Inside the penthouse suite overlooking Berth 14, however, the serene atmosphere was mildly threatened by the meticulously orchestrated panic of Liam Calder.
"The car is downstairs, the municipal clerk has been briefed on privacy protocols, and the press has been successfully diverted toward a completely fabricated shipping dispute in East Boston," Liam announced, marching into the master bedroom with a clipboard pressed firmly against his chest. He stopped dead in his tracks, blinking in astonishment.
Rafe stood by the tall mirror, calmly adjusting the cuffs of a tailored charcoal suit—crisp, elegant, and entirely devoid of the tactical under-holsters or heavy wool overcoats that usually defined his wardrobe. Standing beside him, Tessa was smoothing down the fabric of a simple, elegant ivory crepe dress, her dark hair pinned back with a delicate silver clasp.
"You look..." Liam trailed off, lowering his clipboard. For once, the fast-talking, hyper-efficient logistics director was entirely speechless.
"Breathtaking, yes, we are aware," Rafe deadpanned smoothly, throwing a sidelong glance at his younger brother. "And if you drop that clipboard, Liam, I’m locking you in the freight elevator until Sunday."
Tessa laughed, a bright, musical sound that broke the last lingering traces of tension in the room. She walked over to Liam, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Relax, Liam. It’s just city hall. No syndicates, no shootouts, and no press."
May you like
"Right. Exactly," Liam cleared his throat, regaining his composure with a quick nod. "Just... make sure you sign the correct line on the registry. I’d hate for my new sister-in-law to accidentally become majority shareholder of a commercial shipping terminal in Nova Scotia."
"Too late," Rafe murmured, a slow, wicked smile touching the corners of his mouth as he looked at Tessa. "She already owns everything that matters."
