Page 61 of Sunshine & Ink

There was a clear bag with water around his neck demonstrating his status. A decorative bag of water was a clear sign of wealth and power. Elizabeth herself had decorative water in a little vial around her neck, but this Elder’s was very large, with what looked like more than a cup or even two of water.

Greedy bastard, I thought angrily.

To be wasting all this water, while the rest of the region savors every drop. I had always been taught that the Elders were the only source of water.

And here Raker was propping up the same shitass system that would harm his own child, because he was a cruel, hard man who cared for nothing except power.

It was surreal to stand at the altar next to Elizabeth, Elizabeth in a long, elegant white gown, her train arranged in a fan shape behind her, a big satin rosette on her bodice. The dress fit her perfectly, the mermaid shape clinging to her curves.

I was only in my gray tight shorts and a gray T-shirt, but I merely waited.

Elizabeth might have all the money, all the power, all the water, and I might be living in the wrong part of town, in a tiny little apartment above a coffee shop, but I had one thing she didn’t.

Raker’s child

“He’s here,” Command hissed as the sound of Raker’s motorcycle shattered the quiet stillness, and I felt the expectancy of the crowd, a gasping intake of breath.

I had determined to be cool and aloof. This was no concern of mine.

Rakerwas no concern of mine, despite his engagement announcement.

My life was with Leo now, and the baby we were going to raise together.

But when the dark shadow of his bike came into view and Raker threw his leg over the seat, I felt my insides turn over and heat rush to my pussy as he walked toward the crowd.

How could I marry Leo when Raker could do that to me, without even saying a word? Just the sight of his massive strides, the way I knew that cut would smell mouth-wateringly good, the way his dark eyes were locked on mine, the menace on him that felt like seduction.

I wanted to warn him, but I heard the flick of a knife behind me, and I said nothing. I couldn’t risk my baby’s safety by calling out!

He was so focused on me he wasn’t even looking to the right or the left. I had counted on him noticing the rows of menacing brothers, the knives in their hands.

I had to do something to warn him.

Walking toward us, he was so beautiful. His power took my breath away.

Elizabeth didn’t seem as cool as she had before, the flowers trembling in her arms.

Because flowers required so much water to grow, it was a sign of wealth to carry them at your wedding.

“He is choosing me,” Elizabeth hissed in my ear.

And suddenly I had an idea.

“He will never choose you,” I said, moving closer and deliberately putting one dirty tennis shoe- clad foot on her pure white train. Then I gripped the back of her dress and yanked her down so she was forced to my height. That way I could whisper in her ear with the pretty little diamond earrings.

“This baby is his.”

For a second her face went a pure-dead white and then she screamed, whipping around to point at Raker.

“Get him now!”

“Shit,” Command said under his breath.

Elizabeth’s face was contorted with fury, and she raised her hand to strike me, the long scarlet claws of her nails curved to dig into me, punish me for daring to be filled by him.

But I wasn’t that same girl anymore.

Not the one who had just taken everything she had dished out.

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