Page 33 of Ruthless Prince

“And do you, Ellie Moore, take Vincent Antonov, to be your lawfully wedding husband?”

“I do,” I whisper. I have no other choice.

“Then I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss.”

Gently, Vincent takes my face in his hands and plants a simple kiss on my lips. It reminds me of what we did in the hotel room earlier in the week, and it lights my body on fire. I want to be with Vincent again.

I just didn’t want it to be like this.

There’s no wedding reception. Father wants us back home right away even though we’re both married now.

Once we arrive back home, he orders us to go to our separate rooms.

“But we’re married now,” Vincent says.

“I know. And that doesn’t change anything. I don’t want you touching my daughter.” He gives me a hard look. “To your room, Ellie.”

Vincent grabs my hand. “You don’t have to do as he says.”

“Yes, she does. If she wants to live here, she does. You don’t have any money, boy. You can’t take care of her. So, she can either be homeless or go to her room.”

I drop my head and pull my hand away from Vincent. “I’ll go to my room.”

“Ellie,” Vincent says.

I ignore him and walk away.

The next week goes by in the same fashion. Vincent and I keep our distance from each other. Knowing I can’t touch him hurts, so it’s just easier to stay away.

Until Vincent runs into me in the hallway when my father isn’t around.

“This is ridiculous,” Vincent says. “We’re married, yet we can’t even be together.”

“Just win this competition, Vincent. Win the money. You can get out of here, then.”

“And leave you? No. I’ll take you with me.”

My heart flutters at his words, but that’s the thing—they’re just words. “My father won’t let me go. Just win this competition. For yourself. Meet Nico, and get the answers you’re looking for. I’ll be fine.”

I walk past him before it hurts my heart even more.

It’s not until I’m almost down the hallway when I hear Vincent say, “You’re not fine.”

He’s right. I’m not.

But there’s no use in complaining about it. My life never changes and despite being married, it still hasn’t changed one bit.

Chapter

Twelve

VINCENT

It’s the final round of competition.

And I have to face off against the Mountain—the man who beat me before the competition even began.

To say I’m nervous is an understatement. I’m so close to winning. So close to meeting Nico and getting the answers I need. Did he really kill my father? And if he did, will I be able to kill him?

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