Page 41 of Red

When was the last time he’d experienced a peaceful morning? Or any time of day? Since his uncle’s death, his world had been topsy turvy with a touch of acid rain.

“Erik.” Ian placed his hand on Erik’s shoulder. “She’s ready.”

“Don’t want to try and talk me out of this again?” Erik asked while straightening his tie. It was a simple event in his life, this wedding. There wouldn’t be anyone besides his brothers to bear witness. Other than a few distant relatives, there wasn’t anyone to invite, anyway.

“Would you listen?” Ian asked, his voice gruff. Being the second son, he had the luxury of working with the right and wrong aspects of every decision. He didn’t have to make the hard calls.

Erik shook his head. “Not even a little.”

“Then get it over with.”

The office door opened, and Nico entered with Melinda close behind. A sharp twist went through Erik’s neck at the sight of Nico escorting Melinda. It was innocent, but it didn’t matter. He didn’t like it.

“Well, is this the bride?” Justice Trenton brightened up his smile.

“Yes. Melinda Manaforte.” Erik stated her name in hard syllables. “Soon to be Melinda Rawling.”

Her gaze snapped up to his; a soft-pink hue swept over her cheeks. This wasn’t the way a little girl planned to get married. There was no pomp or circumstance. No father to lead her down the aisle. Fuck, there wasn’t even an aisle.

She wore a simple lavender dress, more suitable for spring with the flowing skirt and short sleeves. Her hair had been left down, thick curls cascading over her shoulders and down her back. Only a bare trace of makeup could be seen. She didn’t need any of it, but she probably wouldn’t listen to him on the subject anyway. And it was her wedding day. Picking a fight would make the awkward situation even worse.

And Melinda didn’t deserve that. Hell, she didn’t deserve anything that had happened, but that’s where they were.

Nico backed away, allowing him to take his place beside Melinda. Erik picked up her hand and laced his fingers between hers, rubbing his thick digits against her thin, cool fingers. She stared up at the justice, her chin high and lips pinched together.

A bride should appear joyful and hopeful, standing ready to make her vows. Melinda looked…resolved.

“Okay, then. Let’s begin.” Justice Trenton cleared his throat and read the script laid out for him in his binder. A part of Erik wanted to bark at him to skip all the preamble and get to the vows, but he kept himself under control. Melinda might not have the wedding of her childhood dreams, but she wouldn’t have a rushed shotgun ceremony either.

Besides, Ian would probably have a fit if Erik made the situation any worse. Tension rolled off his younger brother from behind him. Nico gave off an agitative energy. Maybe his youngest brother had more of a crush on Melinda than Erik originally thought.

Melinda’s fingers twitched when Trenton came to their vows.

“Please face each other,” he said, still grinning, though it had slipped in sincerity since Melinda arrived. The justice had worked with high-profile families before. An unenthused bride probably didn’t faze him at this part of his long career, but maybe he still hoped he was presiding over a happy couple instead of a manufactured marriage. He would probably have more luck with his goal if he wasn’t so quick to take a payment to keep his opinions and judgment to himself.

Melinda squared off with Erik, and he grabbed her other hand. Maybe he was trying to keep her from fleeing, or he was endeavoring to keep himself planted.

“Erik, repeat after me, please,” Trenton said.

Erik repeated the vows, word for word. He locked his gaze with Melinda, speaking directly to her. This wasn’t a marriage of love, but it would be an honorable union. He wasn’t fudging his oaths. He was a man of his word. Always.

Trenton began the vows for Melinda, who repeated them softly.

“And obey…” Trenton said for a second time when she froze. Her lips pressed together in a thin line of defiance. As though she was locking up the words and wouldn’t be letting them free.

“Did you have to put that word in there?” she finally broke her silence to whisper. Though she wasn’t very good at it, and Nico chuckled from his spot.

“It’s an important word,” Erik said, keeping his own amusement hidden.

Erik tightened his hold on her hands when she continued to glare up at him in silent protest.

“I promise to love, honor and…obey…”

“Good, girl.” Erik rubbed his thumb over her hand.

The pink tint to her cheeks deepened, and she turned her gaze away from him while the justice continued the rest of the ceremony. Once the last vow was spoken, the rings in place, Justice Trenton announced the marriage complete.

Erik didn’t wait for the justice to make the suggestion; he simply pulled Melinda to him and kissed her. A fiery, possessive kiss. He didn’t break away until he felt her soften in his hands. When he pulled back, he gazed into her eyes, at her dilated pupils, the slight smear of her lipstick, and grinned.

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