Page 42 of Pure Vengeance

“This is better,” she murmured as she tugged the frilly crinoline free. She got to her feet and tossed the wads of fabric into the wastebasket. “So much better. It looks like something someone might actually wear without being forced into it.”

Unable to stop myself, I hugged her and tried not to cry.

“Thank you,” I whispered once I thought I could speak without sobbing. “All the thank yous forever and ever.”

“It was nothing.” She pulled away.

Realizing I’d made her uncomfortable, I dropped my arms. “Sorry. I know I’m weird, but still, thank you.”

“Yeah.” She cleared her throat and cocked her head toward the door. “Ready to go back?”

I nodded and led the way from the bathroom, enjoying the absence of that stupid dress as I sat comfortably for the first time since the stylist zipped me into the awful thing.

Strangely, Lachlan’s face darkened, and he tilted his head to look at me, but didn’t say anything. Truthfully, he hadn’t said much at all, seemingly content to let Saoirse keep up the conversation.

He was probably already having second thoughts. I crossed my fingers and prayed Lachlan would give me a settlement large enough to allow me to get as far away from my father as I could. He probably wouldn’t, but I’d fucking walk and eat out of restaurant dumpsters if it meant staying out of my father’s reach.

My heart sinking, I made the best of it and tried to be a good host to the guests until Lachlan asked, “Are you ready to go, Natasha?”

No. “Yes. Thank you for planning such a wonderful day.” I held up my hand and smiled at the tastefully understated gold wedding band adorning my left ring finger. “Even this ring is perfect. How did you know exactly what I wanted?”

He shared a glance with Saoirse. I didn’t know either of them well enough to identify the perplexing mixture of anger and confusion on their faces. Leaning close to him, Saoirse whispered something in a language I didn’t recognize and scowled at his soft reply in the same language.

“You’re welcome,” he finally said without answering my question. After rising to his feet, he offered his arm.

I stood and laid my free hand in the crook of his elbow. For better or worse, as the minister said, I was married now. Maybe it wouldn’t be roses and happiness, but I had to look on the bright side of things.

Lachlan seemed kind. Aside from my dress, the wedding and reception had been exactly what I’d have planned if I’d done it myself. Well, except the part where my father walked me down the aisle anyway. I’d have definitely skipped that.

Promising to obey my new husband wouldn’t have been part of my vows either, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. Maybe Lachlan was old-fashioned.

I even had a new friend, and she didn’t seem to care that, aside from what I’d seen on television and movies, I didn’t know what friends did together. Of course, I wouldn’t get to keep her. The minute her brother decided to end our marriage, my friendship with Saoirse would end too. At least it wouldn’t end violently.

“Shall we?” Lachlan asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yes, of course.” I matched my pace to his as he led me to the black town car waiting outside. The driver held the door as Lachlan helped me into the vehicle.

“I’ll be back shortly.” He shut the door, cutting off my reply, then went to talk to Saoirse.

They appeared to be arguing, and I frowned, wondering what they discussed. Lachlan held a hand up and shook his head, then turned on his heel and returned to the car.

After seating himself next to me, he said, “Take us home, please.”

His spicy cologne and the heat of his body cocooned me, and I inhaled deeply, finally able to breathe without worrying about being punished for it.

From his spot behind the wheel, the driver said, “Yes, sir.”

Lachlan

It was all a lie.

After growing up with Steve Ashland, Natasha couldn’t possibly be so cluelessly sweet and innocent. Worse, my own sister was beginning to question what we were doing.

She’d agreed to the fucking plan and gone even further when she suggested befriending Natasha to make her fall from grace even more painful. And now Saoirse wanted to bail because Natasha had gaslighted her into thinking she wasn’t a spoiled, materialistic bitch.

I knew better.

Oh, this ring is perfect,I mocked inwardly.How did you know?

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