Page 134 of Guarded

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”

Her eyes shift, and her lips tremble.

“WHY THE FUCK DID YOU NOT TELL ME?” I roar. Repeating the question.

My voice was low the first time I asked her. The second time, it was less forgiving and much more ominous.

My face is red in the reflection. I slam my fist into the mirror. Another fucking bloody mess.

“I’m sorry,” she cries out, but her tears are meaningless to me.

“You were going to let my sister marry that son of a bitch?” I growl, turning to move into her.

Black dots appear in front of me, shielding me from her reaction. I close my eyes and press my hand to my temple before my vision clears.

“You knew this whole time and said nothing,” I say calmly.

“Axel, I was scared. I-”

“Shhh. My family paid for a wedding, and they’re going to get a fucking wedding today.”

Her pupils dilate, and I look over her designer dress.

“It’s not white, but it will do,” I murmur.

“Axel, you can’t be serious?” she says petrified.

“I’m dead serious, Cosita.”

I close the distance between us and run a knuckle over her cheek. Her face is frozen in shock, and I can smell the fear rising from her body at the sudden change of events.

Excitement grows in me at the thought of her quickened pulse.

“I’m going to pump you with babies, Liza. You’ll be nothing more than a pawn in my rise to the top. I’ll take over the gun trade and overthrow every single member of your fucking family until all of you cease to exist. You will make up for what was lost here today.”

A tear falls down her face.

“I hate you.” She murmurs.

“I don’t give a fuck. Clean yourself up. I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the altar.”

Chapter 40

Nero

Jasper takes his place between Ariella and me. Turns out the son of a bitch was an ordained minister.

The open stage made up for a lack of an altar, and my bride was already dressed for the occasion. This wasn’t the wedding she deserved, but the smile on her face was all I needed.

“Do you, Nero Dizon, take Ariella Reyes to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Jasper says.

I look at her, her hand in mine, and feel full in this moment.

“Hell ya,” I say, causing her to blush.

“Do you, Ariella Reyes, take Nero Dizon to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

The green embers of her eyes shine up at me, and my heart jumps when she says confidently, “I do.”

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