Page 22 of Merciful Lies

I wonder if Fury is his real name or if he chose it. Either way, it’s apt because he is the very definition of fury in that moment.

His anger is so damn strong, it’s palpable.

“I don’t know what that means, but it feels bad. I-I came to you for protection.”

I finally find my voice as Nico’s blue eyes flash to mine. He cocks his head to the side, like a wild animal, and my heart hammers harder against my ribs.

Someone knocks on the door, and he growls a command for them to enter. An older man with a familiar collar comes in, followed by one of the men I saw upstairs.

A priest?

“What do you need to marry us?” Nico addresses the priest.

“What?” The priest looks shocked.

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

“No, no. Um, you just need to file a license and have someone perform the ceremony with witnesses. I have a license in here,” he says and takes a paper out of the case he’s holding.

“Good. Give it,” Nico grunts and takes the paper.

I sit stunned while he fills it in. Nico uses a complicated looking multifunction machine to make copies of his and my driver’s licenses, along with the actual wedding application.

I should argue. Or something. But I’m actually just stunned.

“Okay, here. Now do it,” he says.

“W-why are you doing this? I'm here because I have to find my brother’s killer and to protect my baby against them.”

“Your brother don’t need you looking out for him anymore, Rosebud.”

I gasp. It hurts to hear him say it so frankly, but he’s right.

Sammy made his choices, and he’s paid for them. With his life.

“Look, I’m sorry if that came out rough, but it’s the truth. And you clearly need someone looking out for you. Walking in this fucking place alone and pregnant,” Nico growls.

I feel the flash of anger rise in him even as he tries to stanch its growth. Then he’s standing in front of me.

His body is so close I can feel the power vibrating off him. He crouches, taking my trembling hands in his.

“You came to me for protection. This is how we do it. You take my name, Anna Keller, you keep growing my baby in your belly, but you do it under my roof. Where I can keep you both safe. But first, you’re gonna marry me. Okay?”

“Okay,” I say, nodding my head as tears spill down my cheeks.

“Good. You look thin. Luc, I want you to get me the best OBGYN on staff at the Medical Center,” he says to his man, naming a local hospital.

“Yes, boss.”

“I, uh, I have a doctor?—”

“Nonnegotiable. From now on your body is a goddamn temple. Only the best, Anna. I won’t tolerate less.”

“How, uh, how do you know the baby is yours?”

He just looks at me as if to say, “who else got you pregnant”. I huff. I'm being petulant, but whatever.

Truth is, I can’t help but feel relieved. It’s crazy. I know it is. That I am even considering marrying this guy is likely the result of some borderline personality disorder, I’m sure of it.

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