Page 97 of Ashes of Sin

An overpowering need to bolt crashes through me and I turn, only to be stopped by my father, looping his arm through mine.

“Smile.” He orders me.

“Fuck you,” I spit out, and my eyes fly open.

Holy shit.I’ve never cursed at my father before. He stills and glares down at me. With my heart pounding, I force that same attitude back on my face, wiping away the shock I just gave myself.

“I guess I deserve that,” he replies then pulls me through the door.

Hundreds of faces appear as I shake harder.

“Walk,” Dad hisses, dragging me along step by step.

My legs almost give out under me as I look from face to face, searching for someone to help me.

To save me and stop what is about to happen. But I know I’m on my own, and the one chance I had to escape all this is gone. He is now my enemy.

A cry stuck in my chest makes me hiccup, and Dad presses his fingers into my arm painfully.

Then I spot Pierce standing at the front of the church and my stomach lurches. He looks so much like his son, and that just makes what happened the other night so much worse. Their silver eyes are the same, except Pierce’s are older and more like the devil.

I know Maddox is full of hate and revenge and thinks he’s a bad man, but he’s not. Not to me. He could have hurt me, but he never did. I trust him more than his father. Far more.

Even while making love to me, he never let his dominance overtake the need to pleasure me. I may have little experience, but a woman knows when a man is being a selfish or a generous lover. And I certainly know the different between a great fuck and rape.

Wait...did I say making love? Is that what I think it was? Do I think Maddox loves me?

I shake off my stupidity. If he loved me, he would’ve fought more and, I don’t know, kidnapped me again. Part of me was almost expecting it until he declared me his enemy.

If Maddox knew his father had touched me, he wouldn’t want me anymore. I know him. His hate for his dad is bone deep.

I spot my mother in the front row, and she doesn’t look at me. I let her wallow in her guilt as I fight the urge to shove my father and run back down the aisle away from everyone.

Then Pierce smirks at me and reaches out his hand while Dad almost launches me in his direction.

A small sob escapes me, and Pierce glares angrily at me.

“Pull yourself together,” he hisses.

I sniff, swallow, and glance out at the enormous number of guests. There must be over five hundred people. I know about six of them.

The priest clears his throat, and my eyes dart his way, pleading with him silently to help me. He holds my gaze for a moment and then glances out at the crowd.

My last hope comes crashing down.

I zone out as Pierce holds my sweaty hands, not hearing the words.

“Do you Kyra Louise Fox take Pierce John Sterling to be your be wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward,for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward, until death do you part.”

I can’t breathe.

Pierce crushes my fingers. I open my mouth but...I can’t speak. He hisses at me and the pressure on my fingers increases to intense pain.

I draw in a breath and start to hyperventilate.

The crowd begins to murmur.

“She does! Continue,” Pierce demands.

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