The vehicle slammed to a stop. Squirming out of Emilio’s embrace, I looked out the window.
A church?
“I was hoping for it to go a bit differently, but your twofriendsthrew a wrench into my plans. No matter, a pact is a pact.”
Promise? Pact? Ten years.
Realization flushed through me. “Emilio, you can’t be serious.” I attempted to fling myself out the other door, furthest from him, but he caught me by the waist.
In my stupor, Emilio was able to manhandle me into his arms, and that is where I was wrapped as he carried us up the chapel’s steps.
It was a huge building that appeared to be hundreds of years old based on the design, but it wasn’t falling apart at all. On the contrary, it was clearly well taken care of, even the small patch of grass in the front was well manicured.
For a moment, I thought I might be in some type of fever dream, but when the driver, Kazi, opened the door, I could no longer deny I was seated in reality.
The pews were lined in rows and eerily empty, cast in shadows by the candles.
This was a scene straight out of a nightmare.
Why wasn’t I running? Screaming?
There were also hundreds of rainbow fairy lights adorning the walls, fresh flowers at the ends of the pews between the candles, and beautifulcrimson stained glass moths hung from the large windows. It turned the nightmare into something…oddly soothing. Comforting. Someone had put a lot of effort into this chapel, but why?
Emilio tightened his grip on me, the rough pads of his fingers digging into my skin, as he walked us down the aisle. “Come on, Isa, it’s past midnight. I waited the full 10 years as promised, but now it’s time to follow through on our pact. We’re getting married.”
Chapter 4
Izzy
His words bounced around the chapel before landing across my skin. They burned me, bringing me to my senses.
My mind was a muddled mess of confusion, chaos, and apprehension.
He couldn’t be serious.
“I’m not signing anything or agreeing to this,” I argued, attempting to escape the confines of his arms.
Except he was much stronger now than he had been in our youth. I could barely budge.
Before, he had been a comfort–a salve needed after a traumatic night–but now I wasn’t so sure. I knew Emilio lived a darker lifestyle, that hisfamilyowned most of this town, but he had always made me feel safe. Protected.Loved.
Emilio remained silent, but the chapel suddenly roused with an eerie tune.
A wedding march.
We were only half a dozen steps from the altar at this point, and he wasn’t slowing his pace or loosening his grip.
“Emilio, you aren’t thinking clearly.” My heart pounded into my ears.
This isn’t happening.
My head swiveled, searching for anyone to come to the rescue. But there were only the four of us here and Kazi was not going to be my ally. I found the priest’s attention, but he quickly looked away, clutching a bibleto his chest. He was muttering under his breath and his wiry gray hair was disheveled. Upon closer inspection, I noted he appeared to have been freshly pulled from his sleep. His garb was littered in wrinkles and his face still had the indents from a pillow.
Isheeven here of his own free will?
“Emilio.” I put as much oomph into my voice as I possibly could. “I am not agreeing to marry you.”
“Kazi, give him the form to sign,” Emilio barked out the order, his voice held none of its previous warmth.