Page 70 of Tempting God

The only thing I’m worried about is hurting Greer Blanc. She’s been through a lot in her short life. More than anyone should ever have to endure. From what I can tell, she might truly have feelings for Carter. It likely started when they met at Unfortunate Souls. I snort to myself. I never would have pegged her as the type to go, but everyone deals with trauma in their own way.

She’s worked hard her whole life to fight for the things she believes in. Will that change now that she’s marrying Carter? That’s the question that might determine her fate.

For now, I’m going to watch the Elite Members and remind them that I’m still here. Judging them all.

16

Greer

I take my time getting dressed. Aimée types on her phone the entire time and doesn’t offer to help me, which is fine. I keep my make-up light but add my red lip. There are a few hairpins set out on the dresser and I pick one that will match the dress I chose. It’s white gold with blue gems and has a twirling design, reminding me of the fairy wings I used to wear as a child. I clip it behind my ear. There. I’m ready.

Aimée looks at me when I turn to face her.

“Greer, you look beautiful.”

Her words seem sincere, but it’s hard to tell with her.

“Thank you.” I pause. “I don’t know why you didn’t feel like you could be honest with me.”

“About?”

“About a lot of things. Like why you wanted me to come here today.”

Her slender shoulder lifts in a shrug. “You know how it is. When the Brotherhood asks something of us, we have no choice.”

“We do have a choice, Aimée. We’re not the ones in the Brotherhood. They are.”

“You’re new to this, Greer. I know you’ve grown up around the Brotherhood and think you know how things work, but you have no idea.” She snorts. “I was thirteen when I learned of my arranged marriage. I was kept under lock and key to ensure that I was pure for Charles. We married the day I turned eighteen and from that moment on, my entire purpose has been to serve Charles and the Defiant God Brotherhood.”

“Don’t you see that’s not fair?”

“Life’s not fair! At least your husband might actually like you.”

For a moment, the mask that Aimée wears slips even further. I see the real reason she’s so mean. It’s because she’s unhappy and unloved. I think back and can’t remember a single moment where Charles has shown her true affection. Not when she had their two daughters. Not when she hosts flawless events for him. Nothing.

“I feel sorry for you, Aimée, but you have a voice which means you have the power to change things around you.”

Aimée is silent for a moment. Finally, she says, “Like I said, you’re new to this. Now, come. We don’t want you to be late for your wedding.”

She walks out of the room, expecting me to follow. Turning back to the mirror, I meet my gaze. This is really happening. I’m really about to go downstairs and marry Grant Carter. For better or for worse. Oddly, I’m not nervous.

“Greer?”

I turn to Aimée. “I’m coming.”

We make our way downstairs to the door that leads to the courtyard. The area has been transformed for a wedding, though Grant, Charles, Aimée, and a man I don’t know are the only ones there. Guess they don’t think I deserve a large, over-the-top wedding like Aimée and Charles had. That’s fine. Because at the end of this I get to leave with Grant, and that’s all I care about. He smiles at me, as if sensing my thoughts.

When I reach him, he says, “You look stunning, Greer.”

“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

He changed from his normal suit to a tux. My god. The man looks good in a suit. A tux is a whole new level of sexiness.

I gesture to the courtyard. “Did you know this is where Grandfather married Grandmother?”

“I had no idea.”

“I think it’s a good sign for us.”

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