Page 68 of Ruthless Intent

He changes direction, his hand grabbing my wrist and pulling me along behind him until we’re on the opposite side of the room.

“I didn’t think I’d have to spell it out to you.”

“Spell what out to me?”

He waves a hand back to where the three strangers are waiting, staring at us.

“This is our wedding, Ashley.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

ZAIN

The way the color drains from her face makes me want to smile.

“What did you think was going to happen?” I lift one eyebrow. “Did you think you could leave town before the weekend, and avoid this?”

“No, but?—”

“But what? This is happening, Ashley.”

“But now?”

“Why not now?” I hook a hand around her elbow and guide her across the room. “Look at it this way. The sooner you start, the sooner it’ll be over with.”

“You said you’d arrange it for the weekend. No one is going to think that after one date, we’re so into each other we want to get married!”

“They will.” I don’t actually care if they do or not. I just think that if I leave her alone for too long, she’ll run. This way she can’t. Not easily, anyway.

We stop in front of the officiant I hired, and the two witnesses I asked him to bring. A little unconventional, but money buys things other people can’t have. Except freedom. It doesn’t buy that.

“Is everyone ready?” The officiant straightens and smiles at us both.

“We are.” I don’t give Ashley a chance to speak. My grip on her arm tightens, warning her not to argue.

If looks could kill, I’d stop breathing. The officiant rubs his hands together.

“Then let’s get started.”

As per my instructions, he keeps the service short, using only the words required to make sure the marriage was legal, and less than fifteen minutes later, we’re signing the documentation.

I’m sure that Ashley is in shock, and that suits me perfectly. It means she speaks when she needs to, follows my instructions when I tell her to sign the papers in front of her, and doesn’t cause any fuss.

It’s only when the officiant and his two friends are preparing to leave, that she seems to rally her defenses. She shakes off my hand, and moves away from me, following them down the hallway to the main entrance.

I don’t stop her. Anything she says or does now will be dealt with under the contract terms she signed.

But she doesn’t say anything. She just stands in the doorway and watches them drive away. Once the car is out of sight, she turns slowly.

“Are you happy now?”

“Happy?” I tilt my head slightly. “Not even close.” I pick up my keys, and walk toward her. “Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“You go where I say, when I say, as per your contract. Now move.”

I didn’t think it was possible to go as white as she does. The only drop of color on her face is in her eyes. And they burn with a hatred she can’t hide.

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