CHAPTER 73: THE SURPRISE (6)

The warm breeze coming from the sea swept through the trees as Georgia and Vicky made their way toward the beach, the sound of waves growing louder with every step. Georgia could feel her heartbeat echoing louder than the ocean.

Vicky, already grinning, pulled out her phone and tapped a quick message to Liam. Letting them know the bride is on her way.

But just before the beach came into full view, before Georgia could lay eyes on whatever Nick had prepared, Vicky halted.

"Wait!" she said, spinning Georgia gently by the arm.

Confused, Georgia turned to her. That’s when Vicky pulled something out of her oversized bag: a delicate bouquet made of cream-colored fabric roses and a pair of soft white flats with silk ties that shimmered in the light.

"I thought these would be better," Vicky said, her voice suddenly softer, more intimate. "The flat shoes, so you won’t sink in the sand while you’re saying your vows. And the bouquet... fabric, so it won’t wilt. And something easy to hide, because my brother made me swear to keep this a secret until it’s the right time to give it to you."

Georgia stared at the items, her fingers trembling as she reached for them.

Her throat tightened. "Vicky... I don’t even know what to say. This is—" Her voice cracked slightly. "It’s too much. Too perfect for something so... simple."

Vicky shook her head, eyes gleaming with affection. "Don’t say that. This may seem simple to you, but to Nick? It is not. He planned it like his life depended on it, even though the time was short and we only communicated through the satellite phone. He wanted to give you something unforgettable."

Georgia’s heart clenched, both warmed and aching all at once.

She tilted her head, her voice gentle but curious. "What do you mean by that?"

Vicky simply smiled, knowingly. "You’ll understand soon."

And before Georgia could ask again, Vicky knelt down and began strapping the soft white shoes around her ankles with graceful fingers.

"Let me finish your look," she said. "We don’t want you stumbling into the ceremony barefoot like a wild nymph. Even if I’m sure my brother wouldn’t mind. In fact..." Vicky chuckled, casting a wicked glance upward, "...I think, the second he sees you, he’ll probably undress you in his mind."

Georgia couldn’t help the blush that bloomed on her cheeks. Her thoughts flickered back to the cave, to the way his hands had been so urgent, so hungry, how her dress had barely survived his touch.

’Yeah,’ she thought to herself. ’If no one was around, he probably would tear it off me again without hesitation.’

She drew in a shaky breath, her pulse racing, the fabric bouquet now clutched tightly in her hand.

Vicky stood and smoothed her dress, eyes gleaming. "Shall we?"

Georgia gave a breathless nod, her heart already racing as they stepped through the tree line. The golden sand greeted them, and so did the final surprise Nick had prepared.

She froze, breath caught in her throat, then gasped as her hand flew to her mouth. There, nestled on the edge of the beach, was a makeshift wedding arch crafted from driftwood and vines native to the island. Draped in ivory and cream fabric flowers, undoubtedly Vicky’s touch—it glowed in the sunlight like something out of a dream.

And beneath it stood a priest. Off to the side were two men watching in silence, whom she figured would be Liam, Nick’s brother, and Oliver, his best friend.

"There’s a priest?" she whispered in disbelief, her voice trembling.

Vicky only smiled slyly. She dropped the bag beside her and took out from it a small bouquet of fabric flowers similar to what Georgia had, but hers were fit for a bridesmaid. "I told you, he planned it all. Walk after me, soon-to-be Mrs. Knight," she said with a teasing wink before striding gracefully toward the wedding arch.

Georgia’s pulse thundered in her ears when her gaze found Nick.

There he was.

Trimmed beard, tanned skin, and dressed in his crisp white captain’s uniform, the gold buttons catching the sun. His hat rested just right, and the way he stood, broad, composed, fiercely masculine, made her knees wobble. But it was the way he looked at her that unmade her completely.

Like she was the only woman who existed in his world.

It was very simple. It was unexpected. But it was perfect.

Georgia inhaled slowly and walked toward him. Her feet touched the sand lightly, her dress swaying, heart hammering as his eyes devoured her every step.

When she reached him, Nick extended his hand.

Without hesitation, she placed hers in his.

He pulled her gently beside him, never looking away, never blinking. The priest began to speak, but Georgia barely heard a word of it. All she could focus on was Nick’s eyes—dark, burning, tender.

"You look so beautiful, Georgia," he whispered. "So perfect, I can’t even breathe."

Color rushed to her cheeks. She looked down and then back at him with a coy smile. "You look dangerously handsome, too, Captain."

Their soft exchange wasn’t as private as they thought—muffled giggles erupted from behind them.

The priest smiled knowingly. "Shall we begin?"

They both nodded.

The ceremony moved swiftly, each word from the priest tugging at something deeper in their chests. But just as the priest reached the halfway point, a sharp mechanical sound ripped through the atmosphere.

It was distant at first, then louder. The unmistakable roar of engines, and it was moving fast towards them.

Everyone turned toward the sea.

A fleet of speedboats cut through the waves like knives, heading straight for the island.

"What the hell—?" Vicky’s voice trembled.

Nick’s jaw clenched. "Goddamn it." He turned sharply to Liam. "Start the plane. We’re leaving—now."

Liam and Oliver bolted toward the hybrid aircraft parked on the shore. But before they could reach it—

A helicopter’s rotor thundered above them.

Then—gunfire!

Everyone duck down. Nick covered Georgia with his body.

The shots weren’t aimed at them. Instead, they exploded against the rocks a few yards away, close enough to warn, to threaten.

Everyone froze.

Then came the chilling voice through a megaphone from the hovering chopper:

"Don’t even think about running. The island is surrounded."

Georgia’s blood ran cold. She instinctively reached for Nick’s arm, her heart thundering.

********

Thank you Edna_R2679 for the Golden Tickets!