Page 24 of Desperate Vows

The lightweight garment slid over my head, down my body, and hugged me like it was made for me. I turned in the mirror, and my confidence increased. Even my butt looked good. I left the dressing room and stepped onto the pedestal.

Helen gasped. “It’s perfect. You’re just beautiful, Claire.”

Thea stood and drifted around me. “I love it. It’s so elegant and chic.”

I gazed at myself in the mirror just as the bridal assistant arrived with a veil. When she set it on my head, it was the first time I felt like a bride.

“My father will hate it.” I blurted and caught myself, clamping my hands over my mouth. “Please… please don’t tell him I said that.”

The assistant shook her head. “I consider myself something akin to a priest. Nothing said here leaves the shop.”

“I’m certainly not telling,” Thea grumbled.

Helen stood and walked to me. “It’s your wedding. You have to be comfortable with the dress.”

I chewed my lip as indecision gripped me. It quickly turned to anger. This was my wedding. MY wedding. I didn’t have my mom. I didn’t get to pick the groom. The invitations were something my father would like. The cake was for Lucas. Everyone else was getting something. Why couldn’t I have this? I stood up straighter as I found myself looking in the mirror again. “I’m picking whatever the hell I want for a dress, and this is it. My father will just have to suck it up.”

Day after day, I did what I was told to do, and no one, not since my mom died, had cared one whit what I wanted or thought or needed. I blamed my father for so many things, but I was equally to blame because I’d let him get away with it.

Not anymore.

I was done.

The best way to honor my mother was to grow a backbone and use my tongue.

They were brave words, and I meant every one of them, at least for the moment. I’d see how I felt in the morning.

Chapter Ten

LUCAS

I answered my phone. “Kalantzis.”

“Lucas.” Franklin’s voice sounded strained. “I apologize?—”

He stopped abruptly.

“It’s not on speaker,” I told him.

Franklin let out an exhale. “Thank you for that courtesy. I need to ask a favor. I’m currently on my way to New York, and I would appreciate it if you kept an eye on Claire while I’m gone.”

No doubt his flesh buyer was ticked after Dimitris led our guys to the shipment of girls and got them to safety.

Leaning back in my office chair, I smiled at Dimitris, who sat across from me. “I’d be happy to keep an eye on her. I’d hate for anything to happen to our tentative alliance.”

“I thought you might.” There was a sick humor in his voice. I didn’t think I could hate this man more. “I’ll be gone until this weekend. I’ll text you Remy Moreau’s number.”

“Remy?”

My brother gave me the I-told-you-so look.

“Yes, my lieutenant. He’ll be in town should you need anything.”

Silence lingered.

Franklin said, “You’re not going to ask what happened to Emil?”

Because I didn’t have to. “It’s none of my business.”

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