Page 1 of Tangled in Vows

Prologue

HOLDEN

Day 1 without you: I killed someone for you.

Istare at the small piece of paper and my sloppy handwriting.

Part of me wishes I could send this to her, but how would she ever understand?

How could I ever explain to her what I did?

That I took someone’s life.

That I’m in prison.

If I can’t see her, can’t talk to her, at least I can pretend she’s still in my life by writing to her.

Chapter 1

Holden

Day 16 without you: More than anything, I wish I could have said goodbye.

“Threaten my wife one more time, I dare you.”

There’s an edge to Phoenix’s voice I know all too well. He’s about to lose his cool and punch me. While I’m not opposed to a brawl with him, today isn’t the day for it.

I slowly turn and point a finger at him. “Maybe you should teachyour wifesome boundaries then.”

He glares at me before peeking at the perpetrator. “Angel, I told you to leave him alone about Olivia.”

Evie throws her hands in the air and sighs. “Oh, come on. I just asked a simple question. That’s it. It’s not my fault he’s getting his panties in a twist.”

This time, I poke Phoenix in the chest. “See. I didn’t know it was possible to transform into bridezilla when you’re renewing your vows, but she’s been a little shit all day.”

Evie squeezes between us and wraps her arms around my bicep. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop now.”

She blinks her eyelashes at me, but there’s no hiding the mischief in her irises.

Good thing this little shit is my best friend. Well, she and Phoenix both are. They come as a package deal, after all.

Still, I lean closer and puff out my chest. “I’ll believe it when I see it, Princess.”

“Evie?” A female voice comes from the hallway, and a moment later, a woman enters the dining room of Phoenix and Evie’s mansion.

But this isn’t just any woman. It’s Olivia Parker. World-famous singer. Evie’s friend. The ghost from my past.

She sees us and stops. Evie and I jump apart as if I had my hand down her pants. Which I didn’t, of course, but not everyone would see this scenario for what it is: our version of a friendly tug-of-wills. Plus, Phoenix is right here. This is just the unique dynamic of our trio, I suppose. We’re very close, but notthatclose.

Despite the situation, and my lingering annoyance with Evie, I can’t help but drink in Olivia’s beauty and her generous curves. It’s impossible to look away.

“Olivia, hey.” Evie passes the white marble table but still manages to shoot me a meaningful glance.

She just can’t help herself. Little shit, indeed.

The cascading light from the crystal chandelier illuminates Olivia’s hair, as if it were a paid actor. Even the damn light fixture is on her side. And the fact that she went back to her natural brown hair color gives me major déjà-vu.

Like every time we’re in the same room, I expect to see the distaste on her face, but something else shrouds it. Worry?

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