Page 111 of Midnight Wedding

I start to kneel. “I’ll beg. I’ll fucking plead with you. I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks.” I take her hands in mine.

She yanks at me. “Get up, people are watching.”

“Let them.” I don’t move. I stare up into her eyes. “Please, baby. I miss you so much.”

Her cheeks burn and she glances around. But when her eyes meet mine, they stick there and hold my gaze for several long moments. I stare right back and she’s the only person in this room. She’s the only person in my life I truly care about.

“Get up, you idiot,” she says, softly now. “Come on.”

I slowly climb to my feet. She presses herself into me, breathes in my smell, and nuzzles up against my chest. This fucking girl.

I love her with a fire.

“I miss you too,” she says, shaking her head. “But… there’s something you need to know.”

“What’s that?”

“Go talk to Sona.”

My eyebrows raise. “Don’t tell me you’ve been visiting her.”

“Just do it, okay? Just listen to what she has to say. It’ll be hard… but you need to hear it.”

I’m not sure how to take that. What did my wretched fucking aunt tell her? Sona’s a goddamn viper and nothing she says can be trusted.

But if that’s what it’ll take, it’s a small price to pay.

Lena’s my everything. She’s my heart, my body, my soul. I’ve been aching for her since that stupid fight.

“I’ll talk to her. I have to release her tonight anyway. If she’s got something to say, she’ll say it then.”

“Thank you.” She slips her hand into mine. “Now, show me off to your family. This is your victory night, right?”

“It’s a celebration,” I agree. “And you’re my beautiful wife.”

“I don’t know about beautiful?—”

“Never doubt yourself. You’re my fucking queen now.”

She stares at me and raises her chin. “Yeah, you’re right. Iamyour queen.”

My stomach does twists. I love that look on her. She’s regal, beautiful, and intelligent. Even though marrying her made my life very difficult for a while and led to the deaths of some of my family members, I don’t regret it, not one fucking bit.

She’s the partner I need. She’s the woman that will help steer the Brotherhood into the future.

With her by my side, I can dominate this city.

We mingle with the family. Lena’s funny and outgoing. I stick by her the whole time, never leaving her alone for more than a few minutes at most. But soon the night gets late, and it’s time to release the fucking dog.

Lena’s quiet on the car ride back to the mansion. Most of the Brotherhood is going to be celebrating long into the night, but Garen and a few of his close men are going to meet us at the front gates in a half hour to take Sona home. Lena’s not talkative, and that’s fine. She’s clearly stressed about something.

Whatever my aunt’s got to say won’t matter.

My life is finally coming together. My demons will always be there. My scars won’t fade. But I can keep moving forward now that Lena’s by my side. We’ll have our baby and we’ll have our kingdom.

That’s more than enough for me.

Lena comes with me to Sona’s room. The guards unlock the door. Sona’s waiting, sitting straight-backed on the cot, looking prim and rigid and strong.

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