Page 123 of Bad Little Bride

“To catch a snake.”

“Why come to me?”

“Because he’s in your grass.”

I look to Bastian, who nods, his gaze flicking up to Enzo.

“If you know where he is, why do you need me?”

The tattooed one scoffs. “Because it would be more fun.” He might as well add an “obviously” to the end of that statement.

Enzo’s grip tightens on my shoulders. “And you think I would risk my fiancée for your entertainment?”

“No.” Raven edges, humor in her eyes. “I think your fiancée will do it for the simple fact that you think she shouldn’t.” She cocks her head in challenge. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

I look from her to him, holding his gaze for a long moment. He gives nothing away, at least not to the naked eye, but I’m beginning to see through his masks, and she’s right. He doesn’t want me to, he said as much earlier, but even if he hadn’t, I would have known.

Somewhere between his making me feel like a fool and recognizing his intentions were far better than even my own, I’ve come to trust this man. My husband.

He would no sooner put me in harm’s way than he would allow me to walk away, not that I want to anymore. No, this man would burn anything that stood in his way to ash if it meant reaching me on the other side.

A small smile curves my lips, and while Enzo’s expression remains blank, I spot the matching flicker of affection in his hazel eyes before moving mine back to her.

Instantly, Raven’s scowl forms.

“You’re wrong.” I cross my legs, lifting my mug once more. “I know my place, Raven, and I don’t need to go against my man’s wishes to make me feel adequate, especially when the one other men go to for protection is the one who belongs to me. If he disagrees, I disagree. So.” I look to Bastian. “Your job isn’t to convince me. It’s to convince him and I will follow his lead.”

“Even if by not agreeing, he’s leading you into a fire?” Raven glares.

“Especially then.” I smile wide this time, uncrossing and recrossing my legs in the opposite direction. “Look, I don’t know what this is about, or what it is exactly you’re looking for, so I’ll lay down the facts that I’m sure you already know.” I pause, and when Enzo doesn’t interject, continue. “Philip is the son of Gorgio Mitchell, a chemist who worked his way into the drug game. He’s not a supplier; he’sthesupplier, sells to all the districts but doesn’t have the approval to cross over himself, so he’s forced to sell his share of profit with each side, being they use their own runners. They’re a powerful family but they’re stuck where they are with no opportunity for growth without ties. Respected, but stuck.”Which is precisely why he wanted to marry me.

Of course I don’t tell them this.

Raven’s eyes narrow in understanding, and slowly, she nods as if she knows exactly what I mean.

“Cute. We already knew all that.” The tattooed one crosses his arms.

“Don’t call her cute,” Enzo snaps.

The man grins at Enzo. “Heard he caught a wine stem to the neck. Nice move, my man. Might borrow that one.”

Enzo huffs, and I can picture him shaking his head.

Raven has been watching me silently, and I wait for her to open her mouth, but she just runs her tongue along her teeth.

“Looks like we’re done here,” I say, sitting back.

“You’re making a mistake.”

My eyes snap to the dark-haired, green-eyed one, Maddoc, I think they said his name was. His expression is one of pure annoyance, jaw sharp in anger.

I squint, guessing, “He’s a threat to you.”

Maddoc’s lip curls and I correct myself.

“He’s a threat…to her.” I motion toward Raven with my head.

Maddoc stands up taller, dipping his chin as he glares at me through his lashes. “Nothingwillevertouch her.”

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