The Broken Vows: Zane and Celeste’s Story (The Windsors)

“I can’t believe she’s coming with us,” Sierra mumbles as she watches Dion run through the safety checks ahead of our flight for what must be the third or fourth time now. Sierra looks so tormented, so hurt, and I don’t know how to make it better. I don’t particularly want Celeste to come to Dion and Faye’s vow renewal with us either, but Grandma’s orders are impossible to defy.

“Just ignore her if that’s easier,” I tell my sister. “This week is about Dion and Faye. Whatever issues we have with Celeste can wait until later.”

Raven walks up to us from where she was standing with Ares, concern radiating off her. “Make sure you take your own advice,” she warns me, right as a black Windsor car pulls up in front of our private jet.

Celeste steps out of the car hesitantly, and I study her as her gaze settles on Sierra and Raven. She sucks in a breath, regret instantly marring her features. I wondered what she’d look like when faced with the people she hurt, but her expression doesn’t bring me any gratification. It just makes this whole situation feel even more fucked up than it already was. Her presence isn’t just harmful to me, it’s hurting my family. My brothers dropped to their knees for her, pleading with my grandmother in a way they never would have for anyone else, only for her to betray me.

I know Raven and Sierra begged her for explanations when we fell apart, doing all they could to hold us together. When it became clear nothing would change her mind, they tried their best to maintain their friendship with Celeste, only to be cut out of her life ruthlessly. In the end, I had to tell the girls what Celeste had done to me, just so they’d finally give up on her.

I don’t understand my grandmother’s rationale — even if the Harrisons and Emersons merged their businesses, they’d at most rival us, but they’d be hard-pressed to overtake us. It doesn’t make sense, and my attempts to change her mind have all been futile. If anything, each protest seems to reinforce her decision.

Sierra tenses when Celeste takes a hesitant step toward us, and Raven pulls her away. “Let’s get on the plane,” she says, her tone firm. It’s clear that seeing her is hard on both girls, and I run a hand through my hair in frustration, unsure how to handle the situation.

Celeste looks so fucking helpless as she takes another step toward me, clearly struggling under the weight of my brothers’ irritated stares. The right thing to do would be to extend an olive branch to the woman I have to spend the next three years with, but I just don’t have it in me.

I take a long, hard look at her and turn away, following Sierra and Raven onto the plane and dismissing her. From behind me, I hear Faye welcome her, taking on the role none of us want, and it takes all of me not to warn her away from Celeste. Faye is too sweet, and her kindness is lost on Celeste.

It isn’t long until my fiancée’s signature perfume trails behind me, her steps quiet. “Let’s sit here,” I murmur, choosing seats in the back, far away from the others. For once, there’s no argument from her, thank fuck. If I thought I could trust her, I’d ask for a vow — one that guarantees she’ll be on her best behavior this weekend. Instead, I just turn and look out the window as we prepare for takeoff.

“Is there anything you need from me while we’re there?” she asks, her blue nails digging into her arms, like she’s hoping that’ll keep her from trembling as much as she is. Once upon a time, I’d have asked her what the shade is called, and I’d have looked for clues in its name. They were always hidden messages — indications of how she feels, or sweet surprises for me.

I raise a brow when I realize her ring finger is empty now, Emerson’s ring missing. Something dark and wicked rushes through me at the thought of putting my own ring on her finger, marking her as mine. “Are there any duties I should fulfill as your…”

I tilt my head to look at her face, my heart heavy. My fiancée. Once upon a time, I’d wanted nothing more than to call her that. “No,” I tell her, my tone flat. “Just stay out of my way.”

Much to my surprise, she merely nods and leans back in her seat. I can’t figure her out. She’s acting like she feels bad for everything she’s put my family and me through, when I know that isn’t true.

Celeste doesn’t say a word throughout the entire flight, doesn’t try to provoke me once. Even as we get into a car of our own to the hotel, she’s blissfully quiet, choosing to stare out the window. The silence between us almost feels easy, familiar, but I knew it wouldn’t last.

“Zane,” she says as we pull up in front of our cottage. The way she says my name still sends a thrill running down my spine. “Are we staying in the same room?”

I nod as I walk in and hold the door open for her. She’s hesitant as she follows me in, a storm brewing in her eyes. The moment the door closes behind me, she whirls around to face me, her cheeks beautifully rosy. “You can’t be delusional enough to think I’d sleep with you,” she says, her voice betraying her fluster.

I sigh and unscrew the cap of one of the water bottles my staff provided for us, drinking deeply in an attempt to calm my irritation. “No,” I tell her, tearing the bottle away and inadvertently sending a drop of water running down my bottom lip. It makes its way down my throat, and her eyes follow the water streak intently, her expression shifting. Her anger makes way for something else as I slip out of my suit jacket, something that makes my heart beat a little faster. “However, every single time I share a bed with a woman, I end up buried deep inside her, making her beg for more. I doubt this’ll be an exception.”

Pain flashes through her eyes, and I raise a brow. I didn’t think she’d care, but that look in her eyes is one I became intimately acquainted with in the years we were together. Celeste is jealous. Interesting.

“I guess you’re about to break that streak since I won’t be one of them,” she snaps.

“You already are.”

Anger crosses her face, and she takes a step toward me. “You’re insufferable,” she tells me. “It’ll be a cold day in hell if I ever sleep with you again, Zane Windsor.”

I bridge the remaining distance between us and place my index finger underneath her chin. “It does seem rather chilly today, doesn’t it?”