Page 32 of Magnetic God

A sound somewhere between a laugh and sob escapes my lips.

Keep in touch? I don’t think that’s a good idea. Especially when we’ve already done enough damage. You made me the other woman, Brooks. Not only that, but your WIFE is pregnant, which means you were sleeping with BOTH of us at the same time!

I understand. I hope that you believe me when I say that this is not how I wanted things to play out. Goodbye Hannah.

Goodbye Hannah.

Those two words break my heart.

I thought Brooks was the love of my life.

I thought we had a lifetime to be together.

God, was I wrong.

But I don’t have time to dwell on Brooks Henderson. No matter how much he hurt me.

Because I have bigger things to worry about.

6

NOW

Brooks

“Hell no.” I shake my head. “Hell fucking no,” I add for emphasis.

Jacqueline Chanel Minty-Smith-soon-to-be-Henderson puts her hand on her slender hip and stares me down. I have to fucking force myself not to fidget. It reminds me of one of my aunts who used to terrify me as a kid. I don’t know how some people can give that look and strike the fear of god into the souls of the person on the receiving end.

“This is what I want.”

“As I’ve said many times, this isn’t the first time either of us are getting married. There’s no need to put on a show.”

“Of course there is.” She holds up her hand and wiggles each finger as she lists five reasons. “One, I’m the heiress to the Minty Chewing Gum empire. Two, you’re the Face of The Defiant God Brotherhood. Three, our wedding will call attention to the Brotherhood and bring in new blood. Four, my husband just died, and this will make me happy. Five, I want the world to know that I’m marrying you.”

Blanc, the head Elite Member of The Defiant God Brotherhood, meets my gaze. Fuck no. I shake my head, but he’s smiling.

“All excellent points, Jacqueline. Henderson, surely you can see how important this is to your fiancée.”

I’m so fucking close to knocking this motherfucker out. If I wouldn’t face retaliation from the Brotherhood, I’d do it. He smirks at me, as if he knows what I’m thinking.

“Henderson?”

“Fine,” I grit out. “We can have the wedding of your dreams, Jacqueline.”

“Excellent. I’ve already reached out to several wedding planners. I’m waiting to hear from my top two.” She smiles at me. “This is going to be quite the event. I can’t wait to let the other wives know. Vivian is going to be so jealous.” She gathers her things and stands. “Brooks, darling, I’ll have my assistant send you over some information, including my ring size. We need the perfect diamond before we take our engagement photos.” She eyes me. “And you’ll need to get a haircut. You’re looking a bit rough around the edges.”

With those parting words, she leaves, and I exhale.

“It’s not that bad, Henderson.”

“Says you.”

Blanc crosses his arms. “I’ve done what has been asked of me by the Brotherhood, just as you will.”

“Yeah, yeah. No need to sell it to me, old man. I took the red pill a long time ago.”

“Then you understand why this marriage has to happen.”

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