Page 147 of Sinful Sacrifice

Others, I’m so angry.

At him. At my family. At myself for ruining our future.

He’s marrying Riona, and then what am I supposed to do? Stay single forever? He wants to kill any man interested in me. Yes, Levi was a scumbag, but he didn’t deserve to die. Maybe a good ass-kicking or castration.

After the jet incident, Damien drove me home, lecturing me like I was a teenager caught sneaking out. I told him he wasn’t staying the night, so he sat outside my building all night. He also has eyes on me all the time now. Unless I become a ghost, I’m stuck in New York forever.

“Why are you going to this wedding again?” Genesis asks while making herself comfortable on the hotel bed. “You know what’d be super cute? If when they ask if anyone objects to the marriage, you stand up and recite a love speech for Damien.” She slips a gummy worm in her mouth.

I sit on the edge of the bed and slip on my heels. “My uncle would shoot me. So, no, not super cute.”

Darcy scoffs. “Damien would murder his ass.”

Genesis nods repeatedly. “If someone so much as pinched you wrong, they’d get Damien’s wrath.”

“Ugh.” I throw my head back. “Let’s not talk about the groom.”

“I’m so pissed at him for following through with this marriage,” Genesis adds.

I stand and inspect my reflection in the mirror. “He didn’t have a choice.”

My dress is the blush pink that drives Damien crazy. If I’m going to attend my ex’s rehearsal dinner and wedding, might as well look hot.

Darcy and Genesis came to Boston with me, and we booked a suite in the nicest hotel. While they aren’t invited to the wedding—Damien chose not to provide a guest list for himself—they’re here for moral support.

I’ve come—okay, I’m trying—to come to terms with everything.

Damien didn’t fall in love with Riona and propose.

He doesn’t love her. That at least makes me feel better.

A few days ago, Cernach came to the dance studio to make it clear I would attend the rehearsal dinner and wedding. Why the rehearsal dinner is beyond me since I’m not involved in the wedding.

All I need to rehearse for the nuptials from hell is not getting too drunk on champagne, where I say something stupid.

Cernach invited Igor to the dinner and wedding, which most likely prompted my invite.

At least I’ll see it with my own eyes.

Watching Damien exchange vows with my cousin will be the reality check I need. It’ll be the kick in the ass that any hope for us is gone.

A reality bitch slap, if you will.

While I’ve let an engaged Damien touch me aplenty, that’ll stop when he’s married.

When he’s made a commitment to Riona.

Our dark love story will come to its ultimate end.

Lanie and my mother meet me at The Ritz for the rehearsal dinner.

Confusion rattles through me on why they were invited. Neither is involved in the wedding either.

My mother claimed it was Cernach wanting all his family there. It’s like someone unscrewed her head and implanted a new brain inside it. My father really did a number on her for her to run back to the family that’d done nothing but shit on her.

Fewer people are here than at the engagement dinner. As we walk into the room, Lanie stays at my side like a security blanket. She still fears Cernach will marry her off. Before I marry anyone, I’m demanding a clause in the contract where he can’t do that.”

Though I’m unsure if it’ll happen.

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