Page 91 of Guarded By the Phantom

“Yeah, I do. I made them from grenade pins in a bout of depression. You don’t mind, doll, do you? I can get you diamonds later. I have ideas.”

“No, I don’t mind. I don’t need diamonds. Just need you.”

“Fuck,” he breathed, earning a disapproving look from pastor Michaels. “You really are too sweet for me. Well, get on with the vows. I can’t wait to be a married man.”

The pastor shuffled in place, clearing his throat. “Normally, we require interspecies couples like yours to sign a document confirming you’re aware it’s highly unlikely you will have offspring. In these circumstances, I’ll accept a verbal confirmation.”

“If I want to get her pregnant, I will get her pregnant,” Scarab said belligerently, giving me a very pink look. “But fine. I’m aware.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” I said.

I didn’t want to be a mother, and if I changed my mind in the future, there were plenty of options, I knew.

The pastor nodded and read the marriage rite. I looked at my abomination bodyguard, my heart bursting with joy. Earlier today, I stood in front of the same minister, my heart broken and full of sorrow. Now, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

“I do,” Scarab said, taking my hands. “I so fucking do.”

Pastor Michaels cleared his throat, reading my part of the vow, which I barely paid attention to. I stared at my beautiful man, who was so determined to marry me, he threatened to blow up a church, and I couldn’t help but shake with silent laughter.

“I do,” I said without hesitation when it was time.

“Fuck yes,” my groom murmured, leaning in to kiss me.

My lips met his mouth, our tongues touching briefly. Somewhere in the distance, a camera clicked. I pulled back tolook, just in time to see Scarab give whoever took the photo the middle finger as he pulled my face closer for one more kiss. His free hand settled on my waist then slid lower to my ass as he groaned, tugging my hips against his.

“You might want to take it somewhere private,” his shehru friend said. “And take care of your lady. She’s been through a lot.”

Scarab pulled back, touching his forehead to mine, his hot breath fanning my face.

“I love you, doll. Will you come home with me? I need to fuck you real good since it’s our wedding night tonight.”

I smiled. “Yes to everything.”

My answer was always going to be yes.

Chapter 31

Phantom

Nat gave us a ride in his huge shehru car. It didn’t have seats in the front, allowing his snake body to fit in there, and I sat in the back with my girl in my lap. She nodded off pretty much immediately. When Nat tried to say something, I shushed him so he wouldn’t wake her up.

“Congratulations,” he whispered after we arrived at my place and I gathered her in my arms to carry her inside. “When you piss her off and need couples therapy, call me. I can fit you in next week.”

I stuck my tongue out at him. My baby stirred in my arms, and I decided her sleep was more important than telling Nat where he could stick his offer.

We were perfect together, me and her. We would make it work.

Up in my place, which I had thankfully cleaned up after Nat pulled me out of my funk a week ago, I laid my pretty doll in the middle of my bed. Her dress was so white against the black sheets, and for a moment, I just stood there and stared at her. Itdidn’t even matter that she hadn’t originally put this dress on for me, because I was the one who ended up marrying her.

After I’d looked my fill, I took off her shoes, smiling when I saw the pink nail polish on her toes. Then I grabbed my knife and carefully cut the dress open so she’d be more comfortable. She had on modest lingerie, simple and white like her dress. It still made my breath hitch with want.

I tucked her in and went to shower, packing my destroyed clothes into a trash bag to get rid of later. Once I was clean, I did my rounds, making sure the security system was on and the steel front door well locked. My windows were fitted with bulletproof glass, and I made sure they were all closed.

My apartment was a fortress since this was the place where I slept, and I’d never been more grateful for all the work I put into securing it than now. Because the most precious person in the world would now live here, and I would do anything to keep her safe.

I hung my towel out to dry and slid into bed with her, naked and unarmored, spooning my baby from behind. With the scent of her hair in my nose, tinged with smoke but still lovely, I finally fell asleep after weeks of staying awake.

When I woke up, it was night, and a faint sound of running water came in from the bathroom. I sat bolt upright, knowing at once she wasn’t in bed with me. I followed the sounds, opening the bathroom door to find the space fogged up with hot steam.

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