Page 142 of Bad Little Bride

I go, but just as I’m about to cross the threshold, a thought occurs to me then and I spin around. “Where’s Katana?”

He watches me closely, then drops his chin an inch, shame I’ve never seen him wear weighing down his expression. “She will never overshadow you in any way ever again.”

My pulse pounds a little harder, the part of me where love is supposed to live opening up a little more.

My smile is soft as I hold his stare. “Will you ask someone to send her down for me?”

“Baby—” He shakes his head.

I hold my hand up. “She’s all alone in all this. We’re all she has.”

Enzo’s eyes bore into mine, and I know without a doubt he wants to throw me over his shoulder right now and haul me out of here.

Later, dear husband.

“You’re more than I deserve,” he rasps.

“And you’re everything I ever wanted.”

He charges me instantly, and I scream, barely dodging his grasp as I run out the door.

Only when I’m down the steps, officially entering into the wonderland he has set up outside for me, do I spin around to smile.

His hands are curled around the frame above his head, eyes locked on mine. I follow the length of his arms, strong and stretching his suit just right, the cut of his biceps visible through the thick material and the broad curve of his shoulders. That vein that runs down his neck. My mark. Subconsciously, mythumb rubs along the underside of my ring finger, my tongue sliding out to wet my lips.

His lips curve up oh-so slowly. Purposefully. He knows he’s got me.

I take a single step…and Grandma slides in front of me, gray brow raised high.

“There will be plenty of time for that. Turn around, dear. We’re making magic happen and to do so, I need to know whose heads must roll.”

On cue, Rocklin slides up, bumping her hip to mine, a black gown in her hands. “Can I wear this?”

“Is there more alcohol?!” Bronx shouts.

“Katana! You’ve joined us,” Delta says.

I sidestep them all, looking toward my man, only to find he’s no longer there and the doors have been closed.

I pull in a lungful of air and turn toward my sister, taking the dress from her hands. “We’re doing things a little differently.”

Bronx wiggles her brows.

Delta smiles demurely.

Katana squeals, and my sister?

My sister narrows her eyes, a knowing spark flickering within them. “I take it you and your husband-to-be have gotten to know each other better since the last time we talked?”

I smirk, spinning on my heel and leading them where I wish for them to go. “You havenoidea.”

“He canceled the contract.”

I jerk to a stop, head yanking to the left to meet her stare.

She gives nothing away, face set still like the stone princess she’s trained to be as she does all she can to dig as deep as possible with a simple look that’s not so simple at all. “You didn’t know,” she decides, stepping closer. “Why did he cancel the contract?”

“I don’t know.” My voice comes out scratchy. A little unsure.

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