Page 19 of Promised Vows

That thought had slapped me out of the trance. I was serious when I said she’d beg me. I’d kiss her nose, her forehead, her cheeks, but her lips…nope. I wanted to see how long that tigress would keep her claws out before she caved.

As far as ceremonies went, it was nice, and the vows gave me insight into what I’d experience in a few weeks. To me, they seemed generic, but given the situation, it made sense for Lucas and Claire. I did have to wonder if I’d be okay with generic for my vows. I’d never in my life wanted that. I wanted to look my woman in the eyes, pour my heart out, and pledge my soul, all with my own words.

For the first time since I’d volunteered for this arranged marriage, I was having second thoughts. A loveless marriage. Attraction and physical affection weren’t love. That wasn’t a marriage or a life. When I got married, I wanted a home, not a house.

Across the dance floor, I spotted Anna. She’d ridden with the bridesmaids to the reception while I’d ridden with my brothers and Thea. We hadn’t spoken yet since she’d sat on the bride’s side while I sat on Lucas’s. I had the feeling she was avoiding me once people began to mingle after the meal and the cutting of the cake. I wouldn’t push it though. This was Lucas’s wedding, not a boxing match.

“Deep in thought, Ari?” Thea asked, sidling up next to me.

“Watching the bride and groom.”

Lucas had led Claire to the dance floor as “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” began to play. I mentally noted the interesting song choice. They began dancing and soon became engaged in a conversation. Obviously, I couldn’t hear them over the music. I could tell that by the way Lucas grinned and laughed at her at one point, she’d said something that amused him. A moment later, he’d picked her up by the waist, a somber expression on his face. There was more talk and then he kissed her. Whatever she’d said was something that required soothing.

“They’re in love with each other,” Thea mused.

With a grunt, I asked, “You think so?”

She nodded. “I really do. He needed someone like her. Someone to take care of him in ways you can’t.” Then she angled herself toward me. “Like you need someone to take care of you.”

“I’m fine, Thea. If you’ll recall, I volunteered for everything I’m doing.”

“That doesn’t mean you don’t need care.” She gripped my forearm. “You take care of the businesses, the taxes, the schmoozing it takes to keep our interests taken care of with the city, Lucas, Dimitris, Lex…me. Who looks after you, Mr. Wick?”

Thea was privy to some of my darkest secrets. The number of bodies and gallons of blood I’d collected shortly after Gianna died. We all had different ways of dealing with the guilt, but mine was more barbaric. There was a reason my nickname was Wick.

At that time, Lucas was Dad’s second. He’d taken it hard, but it’d been me that was supposed to keep her safe. I had the skills to do so, and I’d failed. Her death was on me. All on me, and anyone who landed on my radar wasn’t breathing for long.

I smiled at the mention of my nickname. “The Continental.”

Her head tilted. “Who’s the concierge, Ari?”

“Don’t worry about me, okay? I’m fine.”

This conversation was making me uncomfortable. It presented a challenge as well. If I was going into this marriage with the hopes of anything more than a roommate, I’d need to tell Anna at some point, and before we married. It would still happen, but she wouldn’t be uninformed.

The air shifted and there was an immediate change in demeanor as Anna walked up behind me. “If I’m interrupting something serious, tell me to go away and I will.”

A soft thank you was on the tip of my tongue for the rescue. Thea could be intense and unrelenting at times, even if love was at the root of it.

I swept my arm over Anna’s head and settled my hand on her lower back, bringing her forward. “You’re not.”

Thea shook her head, her gaze flicking from Anna to me. “Not at all. I was asking Ari to get Lex to help him bring in the throne chair I rented for Claire for the garter tradition. I’d asked Dimitris, but he was occupied with something else. I’d?—”

“I’ll take care of it.” I tipped my head toward the dance floor. “Go find someone to dance with.”

“If you wanted a minute alone with Anna, all you had to do was say so,” she teased as she walked away.

Facing Anna, I took her in. “That’s some dress.”

She batted her lashes. “Thank you.” Her eyes skated over me. “You’re pretty stinking delicious yourself.”

“What? This old thing?” I chuckled.

“Are you going to ask me to dance? Or do I need to beg for that too?”

That feistiness. I was a moth, and she was the flame. I held out my hand. To my relief, the song playing was slow, and then I realized it was perfect. “She’s Got a Way” was on. Anna sure did have a way. “May I please have this dance?”

Her hand slipped into mine. “I thought you’d never ask.”

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