Page 12 of Tangled in Vows

It was all one big fat lie. But thanks to Archer’s impeccable hacking skills and a few name changes, she couldn’t find out what actually happened either.

I’ve detested lies ever since.

It was, without a doubt, the right thing to do though, and I’ve clung to that belief all these years. It’s the only reason I left her alone after I was released. I didn’t want the house of cards to collapse around us.

Then I had to go and have a weak moment and tell Evie that I knew Olivia.

That doesn’t mean I need to turn her life upside down now with my presence though. I’ll stay here until we’ve sorted out this situation and I know she’s safe. Afterward, we can go back to avoiding each other as much as possible.

Yeah, sure. Just keep telling yourself that.

I cross my arms over my chest and widen my stance. “Unless you call the cops back and have them drag me out of here, I suggest you go to sleep, Hurricane. Because I’m staying.”

She huffs in annoyance and mumbles, “Suit yourself then,” before stalking off.

Stormy lets out a whine.

I give her a quick scratch and point across the room. “Go. She needs you. I’ll see you tomorrow. Go.”

With her tail down, she follows Olivia. A minute later, a door shuts upstairs with a bang.

And what do I do?

I smile like a lunatic.

Nothing has changed about our past, and it never will, but this has been the most time I’ve spent with her in five years. And damn it, I missed her crazy ass—even her attitude. There’s a reason I nicknamed her Hurricane. She stormed into my life on my sister’s death anniversary and turned my life upside down.Instead of spending the day moping and wallowing in self-pity the way I usually do, I agreed to marry her.

Chapter 4

Holden

Day 47 without you: Happy Anniversary, Hurricane.

SIX YEARS AGO

Ireach for the door of the pub when it swings toward me. One second, a gust of cool, late-winter air hits me in the face. The next, a soft body collides with mine.

A chuckle escapes my lips. “Where’s the fire?”

The person steps back. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

“No worries.” I shrug and takeherin.

Brown hair tied back from her face, pouty lips, and stunning almond-shaped eyes that currently gaze up at me. I can’t tell if they’re green, brown, or a mix of both, but there’s an undeniable spark in them. Although she’s tall, her eyes widen as she takes in my muchtallerandbiggerframe. Something I’m used to at six feet six and two hundred and ten pounds.

“Do you mind?” She gives me a tight-lipped smile and points behind me.

Yup, I’m still blocking the way.

Move, you idiot.

I finally get my legs to work and step aside, making room for her to pass.

She weaves through the heavy wooden tables to the long rustic bar where a server stands with the owner, Tom. Only one table is occupied in the far corner, the man’s eyes transfixed on the large flat-screen TV mounted to the wall. It’ll be a few more hours until the evening crowd will flood this popular place.

Some come here for the drinks and company, others to place bets for the upcoming fights Tom organizes. Since my next one is coming up, he wanted to see me. He likes to check in with me, even if I regularly see him at the gym, where he watches us train. “His boys,” as he calls us. Archer, me, and a few other guys who needed something to keep us out of trouble. Making money from it helps too.

Tom is a good guy, but what does the girl want from him?

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