Page 27 of Wicked King

“As you say.” Both males dip their chins at my grandfather once again. “Please let us know if there is anything we can do to facilitate the process.”

“Thank you.” Yéye returns a faint bow and steers me toward the red door.

“And please, let us know when the wedding will be,” Jianjun calls out from behind.

Oh, God, the wedding.

Another bout of nausea threatens to claw its way up my throat. I swallow hard, refusing to throw up again.

Yéye holds the front door open, and I draw in a breath of fresh air, somehow managing to keep the nausea at bay. The black limousine pulls up along the sidewalk, and my stomach cramps again.

Do not puke, Jia. As it is, you’ll never live this day down. Throwing my shoulders back, I march toward the sleek limo. Before I can wrap my hand around the door handle, Marco leaps out and holds it open, hinging at the waist for my grandfather.

A pleased smile curves Yéye’s lips, and I’m not certain I’ll survive the car ride home with these two.

“I think I’ll walk,” I blurt.

Marco’s eyes widen before his head swings back and forth. “Nope, I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jia.”

“So, now that you’re my fiancé, you’re going to think for me too?”

He huffs out a frustrated breath. “We’re far from your apartment, and it’s not safe, not until we’re married.”

“Like I’ll be safe then? Will the ring you put on my finger be bulletproof? Because the gold band certainly didn’t protect my mother.” I snap my jaw shut the moment the words are out. Why am I spilling my soul to this man? Few outside of our trusted inner circle knew that Nanay was killed by one of my father’s enemies. He believed it made him look weak, unable to protect his own wife. He was right.

“Fine, if you insist on walking, then I’ll go with you.”

“No,” I hiss.

All the same, Marco knocks on the front passenger window and the tinted glass slides down. “Take Mr. Guo to Jia’s apartment. We’ll meet you there.”

“Sure, boss.”

The engine revs and the limo slowly maneuvers into traffic.

“You really shouldn’t have,” I growl as I march toward Canal Street.

“And miss out on the opportunity for a lovely stroll with my future wife?” He tosses me a toothy grin.

“Please don’t call me that,” I grumble.

“You might as well get used to it.”

“What about you?” I bark. “You’re ready to give up your Most Eligible Bachelor status?”

“Ha, I knew it! You have heard of me…”

“Of course, I have. Every woman in New York City has heard of your philandering ways.”

“Are you jealous?” That damned smirk grows wider.

“Ugh, no! More like revolted.”

Darkness creeps across his features, and the relentless smirk falls away. “Well, you’ll have to find a way to get over it, spitfire. Because like it or not, we’re stuck together.”

“It’s not too late. You can tell Grandfather you changed your mind.”

“I gave him my word, Jia.”

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