Page 89 of Lord of Debauchery

Another laugh allowed me to relax just a little. “I should have thought of that. Yes, I’ll put it on the list for tomorrow because if any man dares try and touch you, they will die. Period. The end.”

“And here I thought I hated that side of you.”

“Nah, you love me.” He led me to the mirror, turning me around. He placed a lovely velvet box onto the small desk turned into a makeup station, pulling out the most incredible necklace I’d ever seen.

“Oh, God. Are those real?” Diamonds. Rubies. Emeralds and sapphires all in an incredible eighteen-inch necklace. It must have cost him a fortune.

“Of course they’re real. What in the world do you think of your husband to be?”

“Do you have an hour?” He smacked me on the butt three times for my smart response before wagging his finger in the reflection.

“I think a wedding spanking will be in order later. Maybe I’ll do it in front of our guests. And don’t you dare say it.”

“What?”

“You know what. You wouldn’t dare.”

He grabbed the necklace, gingerly placing it around my neck. As soon as he fastened the clasp, I pressed my hand against it. “This is incredible. Thank you.”

After kissing the nape of my neck, he stared into the mirror. “Anything for my beautiful wife. Just remember, whatever happens today we will get through.”

“I know. You walked me through the plan. I’ll take the other girls to safety. Just be careful. I don’t want you to die on me.”

He grinned. “Before my wedding night, baby? Not a chance in hell.”

In hell. Why did him saying that worry me so much?

“Come on. Time to get hitched,” he said as he backed away, holding out his hand.

“Always the romantic, aren’t you?”

“Of course. You taught me well.”

“I think I need to teach you a few additional lessons.”

I’ll be damned in the man didn’t jerk me against him all over again, dropping his head and nuzzling my neck. When he bit down, I couldn’t help but issue a sharp yelp.

“What was that for?” I panted, trying to push him off.

I could tell by the gleam in his eyes he was entirely too pleased with himself. “I’ve marked you as mine. Now I dare anyone, including my brothers to touch a hair on that pretty little head of yours.”

As I pressed my hand on the bite, I had no doubt in my mind it was going to bruise. The sexy bastard. “And what if they do? I’m curious what you’ll do.”

“Beat their asses.”

Why did his words thrill me as much as they did?

“Do you have your weapon in position?” he asked a few seconds later, sadly breaking the sweet moment.

I tugged at the sweeping material of my wedding dress, allowing him to see the thigh holster he’d given me only the day before. The gun was positioned for easy access, at least after fighting the satin and lace of my wedding dress. “Do you really think they’ll show?”

The truth was I wasn’t entirely certain who I was referring to. My father and brother? Maybe I hadn’t juiced up the bait enough for them to bother attending. Assassins from the Death Squad? Oh, great. Now I couldn’t get images of a blood massacre out of my mind.

“It’s a crap shoot, baby, but we’re prepared.” Beckham allowed me to see the weapon he was carrying in the inside pocket of his tuxedo. How insane it was for both of us to be packing at our wedding.

What a life.

“I don’t like this,” I said, more absently than anything.

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