Page 14 of Cruel Vows

A white carpet lines the long stone steps. I climb them, coming to a stop in front of Dad.

He reaches for my tie, fixing it as Aiden nods to me and heads inside. I stand stiff, not wanting to breathe the wrong way and risk this becoming worse.

“You’re going to stand at the front of the church and not cause any trouble for us, you hear me?” He tightens my tie a little too tight, eyes boring into mine. “I won’t have you ruining this alliance for our family.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I know my duty to the family, and I’ll marry Ellie. I make no promises about her behavior, though. She’s been known to be feral.”

Dad loosens the tie, smirking. “Aiden has assured me that she’s going to be the picture of a perfect wife today and there won’t be a single thing for you to worry about.”

He’s clearly never met Ellie.

She’s just as likely to pull a knife on me when we’re reciting our vows as she is to go through with this ceremony and not cause a problem.

There’s a grudging part of me that likes her unpredictable nature.

Even if she resists this life, she’s suited for it.

Dad leaves me to go speak with some of his friends as they arrive at the church.

I disappear inside to find Ellie’s entire family already sitting in the pews. Her sisters give me matching glares.

Maybe this is a funeral.

My funeral.

Aiden walks down the white carpet lining the aisle toward me. “I’m sorry about them. They took Ellie’s side when they found out the two of you were getting married, and they’ve all been giving me the cold shoulder for the past few days.”

The corner of my mouth twitches. “It sounds like you have your hands full.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” Aiden claps a hand to my shoulder and steers me toward the altar where the priest is already waiting. “Ellie is going to behave, though. She knows that the future of both of our families is riding on this.”

“I think you underestimate what she’s capable of.”

Aiden sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “One of these days, the two of you are going to have to put aside your differences and learn to get along with each other. Especially now that you’re getting married.”

“And whose fault is that?” My tone is sharp as I tug at my gold cuff links. “You were the one who came up with this plan. Don’t you dare stand there and bitch about it now.”

“Listen, if I could go back and change your father’s mind, I would. He’s the one who came up with this entire scheme.”

“You didn’t fight him on it either.”

Aiden smirks and shrugs. “Maybe I thought it was time you and Ellie figured out a way to coexist with each other.”

I give him a flat look before turning my attention to the towering wooden doors Ellie is going to walk through soon. “You never would have wanted any of your sisters to marry me and we both know it. This is just what happened.”

“I tried to negotiate with your father, for what it’s worth.” Aiden steps away from the altar. “If I could have found another way to get the alliance I needed, I would’ve.”

He takes off for the doors, disappearing through them as the rest of his men and my father’s filter into the church. They take their seats as soft music begins to play.

A few minutes later, the doors swing open, and Ellie enters the room.

The dress she wears hugs her body, nude material beneath white lace, showcasing the curves I’m sure other men have begged to touch. White lace lays over the nude material, sculpting over her round breasts and hips.

The skirt hugs her thighs, flaring out just above her knees, a long lace train and a giant veil trailing behind her.

She’s stunning, even if she’s one of the most irritating people I’ve ever met.

Eyes the color of a deep-green forest turn to me, mauve-painted lips parting slightly. She looks like she’s counting each step she takes down the aisle, as if she’s marching to her death.

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