Page 39 of Escape You

Two days ago, this asshole had been eyeing Mia as if she were some prize he’d like to get his hands on. He’d have to get through me first.

I finished the rest of my drink in one gulp. A fifth of liquor wouldn’t be able to wash out the bile taste in the back of my throat. “If you would excuse me, it looks like my grandfather wants me.”

He nodded, and I picked my way back inside through the sea of bodies that had already gathered in the living room. Rossi waved for me to join him by the window arch facing the terrace. In a few minutes, night would fall. The cityscape and Central Park view with its twinkling lights beyond the terrace would serve as backdrop to our wedding ceremony.

“Can we get on with it?”

Rossi chuckled, misreading my motives. “Of course.” He pointed toward the marble grand staircase where Mia descended in a white silky dress that hovered over her body like a wisp of air. She was like oxygen to my lungs. I inhaled until I had my fill. Every part of my being wished this was our real wedding. I wished she were mine, no agreements, no one-night stands.

“Satisfied?” he asked.

“She’s so fucking beautiful.” I hadn’t meant to say the words aloud.

“Sure. There’s also that.” Rossi strode toward Mia to meet her at the bottom of the steps. To him, it was appropriate to be giving the bride away. He’d done exactly that.

All the furniture had been removed from the main living area, except for the grand piano that sat at the far end of the penthouse. White chairs had been arranged to face the arch window with the city of New York looming outside. The large room could easily handle one hundred people, but tonight Rossi only needed forty guests to bear witness. Music notes filled the space with a tone that was melancholic and sweet.

Mia walked down the aisle to marry her fake husband. Her face showed no emotion; her eyes were a different matter. Fire and danger hid behind the elaborate makeup. She’d been so sure this charade wouldn’t make it this far, but only because she didn’t know the FBI was behind it all. They wanted Rossi to make this deal. They wanted him to win. We never had a shot at stopping any of it.

Rossi played the part to a tee, doing the customary ceremony of kissing the bride’s cheek gently before placing her hand in mine. I squeezed her fingers tighter than I meant to, gritting my teeth to keep myself in check.I won’t let them hurt you.Would she believe me if I voiced that promise?

Her gaze fell to my lips, and to my relief, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she used me for support as we walked the rest of the way to face the officiant, who promptly began the ceremony. We made promises neither one of us had the ability to keep.

The room swayed once, then twice. It stopped and turned in the opposite direction. The whole affair felt like going through a carnival house of mirrors. After it was all said and done, we had both said “I do,” with the cacophony of sighs, laughter, and applause surrounding the two of us. I got lost in Mia’s green gaze. For a heartbeat, she was the girl I’d met at a bar.

“Go on.” Someone chuckled behind us.

“You may kiss the bride,” the officiant repeated with amusement in his tone.

Mia pressed her hand to my chest and gripped the lapel of my tux. I cradled her neck and kissed her lips, a soft brush that didn’t begin to cover how I felt and how much I wanted her. Afterward, Rossi had us mingle with the guests. I had already memorized twenty names that matched the faces I’d seen in Clifton’s files. Today was Christmas morning for the FBI.

“Do you want to get out of here?” I asked Mia after two hours of working the room.

Her green gaze snapped up at me. She considered something for a beat, then nodded. “I can’t take any more of this bullshit.”

I wrapped my hand around her elbow and ushered her toward the stairs. We didn’t bother with niceties or goodbyes. When we reached the second floor, a round of laugher from the guests tailed us until we reached my room, our room.

Turning the gold key that was part of the metal knob, I took a deep breath, then swung the door open. “I’d carry you through the threshold, but no one is watching. So, what would be the point?”

“Don’t even try.” She sauntered inside and froze.

The floor-to-ceiling windows that led to the terrace had been left open. The city lights and candles dotting the room provided all the lighting we needed. The food and wine had been set up out on the balcony, and a violin tune played from the overhead speakers in the room that drowned all sounds from downstairs. We were as alone as we’d ever be.

“Nice. We’ll add cheesy to the list.” She removed her shoes, padded over to the washroom, and locked the door behind her.

“Can I get you a drink?” I placed my ear to the door. She had the water running, and I couldn’t be sure if she was talking to someone. “Mia, we need to talk.”

I had no idea what to do next. One thing was for sure. I didn’t want Mia to spend the night locked up in the bathroom. While I waited for her to decide, I shrugged out of my tuxedo jacket and vest. The tie came off next. When I started on the shirt studs, she opened the door.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing? I can’t sleep in a tuxedo.”

She sucked in a breath. “Fine. Let’s talk.”

“Do you have something you’d like to tell me?” I stalked over to her. Her breasts pressed against the fabric of her dress as she inhaled deeply, but other than that, she held her ground.

“No.”

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