Page 47 of They All Own Me

"Don't even think about it." I adjust my stance, willing my body to behave.

Forty minutes and several hundred dollars later, we're heading back to the jet. The pink shopping bags swing from her hand, a reminder of what's inside them.

"That was fun," she says as we climb the stairs. "Though you looked ready to murder someone in there."

"Nearly did." I follow her into the cabin, tossing our bags into the storage compartment. "Next time send Connor lingerie shopping with you."

She laughs, settling into her seat. "Afraid of a little lace, Dom?"

I give her a warning look as I buckle in. "Afraid isn't the word I'd use."

The engines roar to life, drowning out whatever response she was about to make. Thank fuck for small mercies.

Chapter 26

Tatum

The flight attendantpours us both a generous glass of bourbon. Dom settles into the plush leather seat across from me, swirling the amber liquid.

"So tell me about your wedding day," he says, his expression neutral but curious. "Must have been quite the high society event."

I take a long sip, letting the bourbon burn. "So, picture this - a thousand white roses, crystal everything, and me hiding in the bridal suite having a panic attack."

"That bad?"

"Oh let's see… well for starters, I was seventeen, damn near a child." I subconsciously tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.

"My dress cost more than most people's cars. Oh, I was made to go on a hardcore diet two weeks before to ensure I was able to fit in said dress.

"You're joking right?" Dom asks with a raised eyebrow, I don't miss the aggravation in his tone.

"Serious as a heart attack. The guest list was basically a who's who of Connecticut politics." I trace the rim of my glass. "And my father walked me down the aisle like he was closing a business deal."

Dom leans forward. "And Thomas?"

"Standing there in his custom tux, looking like the cat who got the cream. He knew exactly what he was getting - arm candy with the right pedigree." The bourbon is starting to warm my chest. "You know what's funny? I actually tried to run away the night before."

"No shit? What happened?"

"Made it three blocks before my father's security detail caught up with me. Spent the rest of the night locked in my room 'for my own good.'" I laugh, but there's no humor in it. "The photos looked great though. Everyone said we were the perfect couple."

"Christ." Dom tops off both our glasses. "That's fucked up."

"Welcome to high society, where daughters are commodities and marriage is just another merger." I kick off my flats and tuck my feet under me. "At least the cake was damn good after eating basically nuts for two weeks."

The engines hum beneath us as we cruise through darkening skies. Dom watches me with an intensity that makes my skin tingle. Or maybe that's just the bourbon.

"You deserve better than that," he says quietly.

I meet his gaze over my glass. "Maybe. But for now, I'll settle for revenge."

The alcohol loosens something in my chest, a knot I didn't realize was there. "You know what the worst part is?" My fingers trace the rim of my glass. "He's made me doubt everything about myself."

Dom leans forward, elbows on his knees. "How so?"

"It was the little things. The way he critiques how I dress, how I speak, how I move." I take another sip. "My ass is too big, my laugh is too loud, my opinions are too... inconvenient."

"That's bullshit."

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