Bound to the calloway's heir

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THE CALLOWAYS' WOMEN TO THE RESCUE.

SIENNA

The boutique's private showroom felt like a sanctuary of silk and lace, its air infused with the subtle scent of lavender sachets tucked among the racks of custom wedding dresses. The space was bathed in soft light from crystal chandeliers, creating a dreamlike shimmer that made my heart flutter with anticipation.

I stood on a low platform, a makeshift runway, as the seamstress adjusted the hem of the first gown, the flowing creation of ivory silk that clung to my curves before tacking it into a delicate train.

The mirror before me reflected a bride-to-be, but my thoughts weren't entirely on the dresses; they lingered on Zane, the cartel, and the fragile threads holding our world together. Tradition dictated the groom couldn't see the dress, so I had called Belinda, my best friend, and Ava, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, to join me. Their presence would be a counterbalance to the weight I carried as Zane's partner in both love and worries.

Belinda was already there when I arrived, her curly hair bouncing as she flitted between racks, her eyes sparkling with that infectious delight that made every moment brighter. She wore a bright yellow sundress that seemed to radiate her energy, her laughter echoing as she held up a veil studded with tiny pearls. "Sienna, look at this! It's like something out of a fairy tale. You have to try it with the first dress. It is giving total princess vibes."

I grinned, stepping off the platform to take the veil, the silk of the gown whispering against my legs. Her enthusiasm eased the tension that had coiled in my chest. "Princess vibes, huh? You think Zane's ready for a fairy-tale queen?"

Belinda smirked, tossing her curls. "Zane's ready for anything you throw at him. But this veil? It's magic. Try it!"

When the seamstress pinned the veil in place, its gossamer fabric caught the light.

"Oh my!" I turned to the mirror to catch the instantaneous transformation. For a moment, I let myself imagine the wedding day with Zane's eyes on me. It would be just perfect.

"I told you" Belinda winked back at me.

The boutique door chimed, and Ava swept in, her presence commanding despite the subtle gloom in her eyes. "Look who's here. Fresh from her Paris modeling shoot." I called out, waving at her.

"She clearly still carries the city's elegance, just look at that tailored blazer and jeans," Belinda joined,

Ava broke into a grin, her sleek ponytail swinging to each side with each step she took closer to us.

She dropped her leather weekender bag by the door. "Sienna, sorry I'm late, jet lag's a beast. These dresses, though wow. You're already slaying."

I stepped down, the gown's train trailing, and hugged her, "No apologies needed. Saw the terrific Paris cover of your shoot, way to go!. Ready to help me pick the perfect one?"

Ava's smile widened, "Born ready. Let's see you work that runway."

"Yes, we will be your audience, girl," Belinda said,

The seamstress guided me back to the platform, and I began the impromptu show. The first dress was the ivory silk, its simplicity elegant but understated. I walked the length of the room, the fabric flowing effortlessly.

Belinda clapping enthusiastically from a velvet chaise, Ava leaning against a rack with a critical but warm gaze. "Gorgeous," Ava said, tilting her head. "Clean timeless lines. But maybe too safe for you. You're Sienna Calloway, let's go bolder."

Belinda nodded, her hands clasped in delight. "Yes! Something with drama. Try the one with the lace bodice next!"

I laughed and disappeared behind the curtain to change. The second gown was a masterpiece of lace and tulle, the bodice intricately embroidered, the skirt flaring into a cathedral train that demanded attention. As I stepped out, Belinda gasped, her eyes wide. "Oh, Sienna! That's stunning. Spin, show us the back!"

I obliged, turning slowly, the train sweeping across the floor like a royal decree. Ava's lips curved, her nod approving. "Now that's you. Bold, intricate, a little dangerous. Like you and Zane together."

Their reactions fueled me as I tried three more dresses, each one drawing gasps and commentary. Belinda's sassy quips punctuated the air with "That one screams 'queen of the empire'!"

while Ava's model's eye catches the details we had missed. "The off-shoulder one? It frames your collarbone perfectly, but the train's too heavy for dancing," she noted.

Finally, I slipped into the last gown, a strapless creation with a fitted bodice of shimmering pearl beads and soft tulle. As I walked the runway, the fabric caught the chandelier light, sparkling with every step. I felt it instantly. This was it.

I stopped at the mirror, my reflection almost unrecognizable. I was a bride ready for forever.

Belinda's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes glistening. Ava leaned forward, her usual poise softening into awe. Neither spoke, but their silent gushing confirmed it. This was the one.

"That's it," I whispered, smoothing the bodice, my heart swelling with excitement. "This is the dress."

Belinda squealed, bouncing up to hug me, her curls tickling my cheek. "Sienna, it's perfect! You're going to make Zane lose his mind."

Ava joined us. "It's you. Bold, beautiful, unstoppable. This is perfect."

The seamstress beamed as she jotted notes, and I stepped off the platform. Belinda's phone buzzed then, and she glanced at it, her expression shifting to apologetic. "Sorry, loves, gotta take this. Don't pick any veils without me!" as she darted out.

I turned to Ava, catching a gloom in her eyes again. I had noticed it when she arrived. She was staring at the gown, but her thoughts were elsewhere, her fingers twisting the hem of her blazer. "Ava," I said softly, sitting beside her on the chaise, the tulle pooling around me. "What's going on? You've got that look like something's eating at you."

She forced a smile, shaking her head, her ponytail swaying. "It's nothing, Sienna. Jet lag, probably. Let's focus on the stunning dress."

I tilted my head, my hand resting on hers, stopping her fidgeting. "Don't dodge me. I saw it when you walked in. Something's off. Talk to me. We're family."

Her shoulders slumped, and she exhaled, "It's the brothers. They're fighting and fracturing. Noah's talking about quitting Atlas for good because of that damn journalist. Damian's at odds with Zane over me. I'm just joining, Sienna, and it feels like the Brothers are falling apart before I can prove myself."

My heart tightened, the worry I had been pushing down surged back. I squeezed her hand. "I know it's heavy. Zane's worried too about Noah and Atlas. But tell me more. What's got you so scared?"

Ava's eyes met mine, "I'm scared we'll lose each other. The brothers. They're family, but Zane's rules are choking them. Noah's with that journalist, Harper, probably spilling our secrets. Damian's fighting for me, but Zane won't budge. I want to fix it, Sienna. I'm mapping ways to get them to reason and to stop the fighting. But I need your help. Talk to Zane, make him see they need to live their own lives. They have always followed his rules forever. It's time for them to have a choice in their affairs too."

Her words echoed my own fears for the cartel. The cartel was our strength, but division could topple it all. I nodded, my hand still on hers. "I'll talk to him. Zane's stubborn, but he loves you all. He's worried about the cartel too. We'll do our part, Ava to save the Brotherhood and keep Atlas standing."

She exhaled, relief softening her features, "Thanks, Sienna. I just... I want us to stay whole. I'm new, but I'm all in. I need to prove I'm invaluable, not just Zane's sister."

"You will," I said, "You've already proven it. Taking down Echo and Hale, You're a force. We'll hold it together."

The door swung open, and Belinda swept back in, her phone tucked away, her smile bright as ever. She noticed the mood in the room and frowned.

"Okay, what's with the serious faces? I leave for five minutes, and you're plotting a heist or something!" She plopped onto the chaise, her sassy energy instantly lightening the room.

"Come on, Sienna, back to the dress, tell me you're picking that one. And Ava, spill, what's the vibe? You look like you need a mimosa stat."

Ava laughed, the sound a little forced but warming under Belinda's charm. "Just jet lag and family drama. But yeah, that dress, it's the one. Sienna's going to kill it."

I stood, smoothing the gown, Belinda's delight pulling me back to the moment. "It's the one," I confirmed, twirling for her, the tulle catching the light. "And mimosas sound perfect. You're buying, Bel."

She gasped, mock-offended, her hand on her chest. "Me? The maid of honor works for free! But fine, mimosas on me if you let me pick the veil. Deal?"

"Deal," I said, laughing. Ava joined in, her gloom easing, and we dove back into wedding plans, shopping for veils, shoes and the perfect bouquet. But beneath the laughter, my worry for the cartel lingered. I would have to talk to Zane, but for the moment, the dress was all that mattered.