Page 15 of The Villains We Make

“No, don’t worry about that. You look better,” she says as I take the dish from her and set it on my lap before sipping the coffee.

“This is delicious,” I say, the coffee perfectly made with lots of cream and sugar.

“Silas made it for you,” Lourdes says and ruins it.

I set the coffee aside and pick up the fork. “Is he here?” I try to ask casually.

“Right here,” comes Silas’s voice from the door. I startle and the fork slips from my hand, clattering loudly against the plate on my lap.

I clear my throat and try not to look at him. He’s showered and dressed, and the beard he was sporting is gone, replaced by his usual five o’clock shadow.

Lourdes smiles. “I’ll leave you two alone. Dress is in the closet. It should fit. I was your size once a very long time ago.” She smiles at me then turns to Silas. “We’ll be ready when you are,” she tells him on her way out. I guess she’s talking about the wedding.

Silas thanks her and waits for her to close the door before approaching the bed.

“How do you feel?” he asks, and there’s something in the way he’s looking at me that’s off.

“Fine.” I put a bite of eggs into my mouth and chew. At least we have that signed agreement. It should make me feel better, somewhat in control of what is happening to me. I’ve been out of control for so long. But then there’s something else that comes to mind. A prenup. If it’s true about my grandfather, what about Silas? Would he?—

No. I stop.

He wouldn’t hurt me. I know that in my gut.

I clear my throat. “How are we getting married exactly if we’re trapped here in this cabin?”

“Father Emiliano will marry us. Lourdes will be our witness.”

“Ah. You really have thought of everything.”

“You look better, O.”

I eat another bite of eggs although I’m not hungry anymore. “I want to go to see my father with you,” I tell him, trying again.

“No.”

“We’ll be married. Like you said last night, I can’t marry Ethan if I’m already married to you.” The thought, the words, send not dread but an almost electrical charge through me I know I shouldn’t feel.

“No. Not yet. Eat.” He checks the time.

“In a rush?”

“The sooner we get this done, the better.”

“Know that you’ll be forcing me. It wouldn’t be a choice I’d make if I had any choice at all.”

He grits his teeth but nods tightly. “I’ll help you get dressed.”

“I’m fine. I can dress myself. I need to use the bathroom, so you can go.” I cross to the bathroom door but when I put my hand on the doorknob, I realize something. Ethan’s engagement ring is gone. “Where’s my ring?” I ask.

“Don’t tell me you miss that fucking monstrosity?”

“No, but where is it?”

“Bottom of the ocean by now.” He shrugs. “Who cares. You’ll wear my ring once we’re married.”

“I don’t want your ring.”

“You’ll wear it anyway. Get dressed and try to remember I’m not your enemy, will you? It’s getting tiring,” he says and walks out.

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