The Black Box had officially shifted from a tactical headquarters into a high-stakes wedding planning war room. Keigan, the cold strategist who could calculate a market crash in his sleep, had finally met his match in Rina.
Rina was brilliant, sharp, and—most importantly—the only person besides me who could stare down a Watson and not blink.
10:00 AM: The Strategy Session
POV: Jay
I walked into the grand dining room, which was currently buried under silk swatches, floral diagrams, and floor plans. Keigan was staring at a tablet, his brow furrowed as if he were planning a siege on a small country.
"Keigan, it's a wedding, not a hostile takeover," I said, dropping a stack of catering menus on the table.
"It's a logistical nightmare, Jay," Keigan muttered, scrolling through a list of guests. "The seating chart alone requires a three-dimensional algorithm to ensure the Russian delegates don't sit within line-of-sight of the Italian associates. And Rina wants lilies, but the scent-profile clashes with the appetizer course."
Rina walked in, looking effortlessly chic in a white blazer. she leaned over Keigan's shoulder and tapped the screen. "Swap the lilies for white orchids, Keigan. And the seating chart is fine. If they shoot each other, it'll be a memorable reception."
Keigan looked up at her, his cold eyes softening instantly. "Orchids it is."
01:00 PM: The Dress Fittings & "Security"
While Rina and I were in the parlor discussing lace, the "Security Detail" was causing a scene in the foyer.
Keifer was standing there, watching Percy and Rory carry in crates of vintage champagne. Ghost was trotting behind them, sniffing every box, while Astraea had decided that Rina's long silk veil was actually a "tunnel.""Astraea! Out of the veil!" I shouted, catching her just as she was about to do a tactical crawl through $5,000$ worth of tulle."Veil! I'm ghost!" Astraea giggled, draped in the white fabric while Ghost barked in approval.
"Hubby, control your daughter," I sighed, looking at Keifer.
Keifer picked up Astraea, veil and all. "She's just testing the durability of the fabric, Rina. Consider it a stress test."
"If she rips it, Keifer, I'm sending the bill to your London account," Rina teased, stepping out in her gown.
The room went silent. Even Keifer looked impressed. Rina looked like a goddess of war and grace. Keigan walked in from the study, stopped dead in his tracks, and for the first time in his life, the "Strategist" had no words.
04:00 PM: The Bachelor Party Dispute
Section E was huddled in the kitchen, arguing over the bachelor party.
"We need a yacht," Percy insisted, adjusting his shades. "Champagne, jet skis, and a private island."
"No," Keifer rumbled, leaning against the counter. "We need a secure location. High-altitude, low-profile. A tactical shooting range and a cigar lounge."
"Guys," Keigan sighed, walking in. "I just want a quiet night where no one tries to assassinate me before the vows."
"That's boring, Kei-Kei!" Alexander chimed in, holding a toy grenade. "We should have a ninja obstacle course!
"Listen to the kid," I said, walking in with more coffee. "But if any of you bring Keigan back with a black eye or a missing tooth, I will perform surgery on you without numbing cream. Am I clear?"
The men all nodded in unison. They knew I wasn't joking.
08:00 PM: The Quiet Moment
Later that night, the mansion finally settled. I found Keigan sitting on the balcony, looking out at the city.
"Nervous?" I asked, joining him.
"I didn't think I'd ever find this, Jay," Keigan confessed. "I thought my life would just be numbers and shadows. Like Keifer's used to be."
"Rina is your anchor, Keigan," I said softly. "She's the one who makes the numbers stop spinning. Just remember—on the wedding day, forget the logistics. Just look at her."
"I always do," he whispered.
The door behind us creaked open. Ghost poked his head out, followed by Astraea, who was carrying a "flower girl" basket she'd been practicing with. She dumped a pile of wilted rose petals at Keigan's feet and gave him a thumbs up.
"Groom! Ready!" she announced.
Keigan laughed, picking up his niece. "Yeah, Astra. I think I am."