Page 78 of Wild Angel

I try to imagine Sergio isn’t here, but I can feel his demonic soul a mile away. And he’s looking at no one but me, wearing a faint smile Iknowmeans that he’s constantly reliving that afternoon he had me trapped in his room.

I keep trying to block the memory, but it slides in like cold from a windowpane in the dead of winter.

Vito…well, he’s just Vito.

But Savage?

Maybe it’s the suit. I mean, they say you shouldn’t buteveryonejudges a book by the cover. It’s kinda the whole fucking point, right?

Savage in a white shirt and leather jacket. On point.

But Caesar Domingo in a black pinstripe suit that brings out his tanned complexion, dark eyes, and sumptuous mouth?

It’s not fair. No one should lookthatgood…especially since I know he’s the furthest thing from an angel.

Wrap all of that up, and tie it with a shotgun wedding? Okay, well, I’m not pregnant, but the urgency is real.

I can see it in Savage’s eyes. I can feel it in my bones.

I don’t know what would have happened if I’d said no. If I’d fought. But Savage believes this is the only way, and that’s enough for me.

Fuck knows why I trust him, but I do.

And I keep wondering how it’s possible, but I think after today, I’ll stop. I can’t explain it, and I’m actually okay not knowing everything.

Sometimes it’s comforting, thinking there’s something out there. Some invisible guide, or predetermined path.

Because that means you don’t have to be so harsh on yourself all the time. You made a mistake? Well, maybe it was already written in the stars. Don’t know if you’ll ever find true love? No worries—if it’s meant to be, it’ll fuckingbe.

A lot of decisions went into me standing here, in front of a non-existent altar, beside a man who I might have been tasked to kill in a few years if my hit on his father had been successful.

Would I have taken the money?

You fucking betcha.

Could I have pulled the trigger?

Undetermined.

I don’t even hear what the weirdo marrying us says. My eyes are on Savage—where they belong. My hands are in his, where they should always remain. I parrot backI doonce, twice, three times. But the last one sticks in my throat, because Savage’s eyes are locked on mine, and it feels like he’s siphoning my soul.

“Nyx…” The weirdo raises his voice a little. “Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Oh God, I think I’m going to cry.

No. Wait. It’s just sudden onset allergies.

Right?

Fuck it. Let’s get this over. I mean…it’s not like this could make things worse, right?

“I do.”

“Caesar and Nyx will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment to each other.”

There’s a buzzing in my ears that cuts out the rest of his speech. Suddenly cool fingers manipulate mine. I turn and give Vito a blank look as he opens my hand and pushes a cold ring onto my palm.

“You’re doing great,” he whispers.

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