Page 129 of Ink Deep Devotion

“You think his mother won’t try to destroy it when we take over?” He grunts, then steps closer.“It’s going to be the first place that bitch targets because his father loved that castle more than he ever loved her.” A bead of sweat rolls down his temple.

“Dante’s security around that castle would make the CIA proud.”But is it enough?I grind my teeth.“Leo is my backup plan.”

“Leo!” Titan arches a brow.“You’re going to shove Mila in some Siberian tundra.”

“Leo has houses everywhere.”

“Mila will hate that!”

“What do you want from me?” I roar.

“This!” Titan grabs me by the lapels.“You’re shutting Damian and me out. Talk to us! Stop making plans behind our backs.”

A second passes, then another. Should I tell him about the letter?

“You’re here, are you not?” I shove him away, hating that I’m choosing to harbor Dad’s secret letter like he asked.

“Walk her down the aisle for me,” I order as I turn and head to the beach.

“Dash, you think this hurts now,” Titan shouts as he follows behind me.“Imagine what it will feel like the day her love for you dies.”

???

She looks like a dream that turned into a nightmare. Virginal white, heavenly, but her face, those cold eyes, are all wrong. They slice through her veil like starlight, trying to stretch out and reach me.I see you, little fox, I feel your pain, but I will not change anything. Like any treasure, I have to tuck you safely away

This image of her walking down the sandy aisle towards me will haunt and fuel me.

Our eyes lock so forcefully that we each jerk as a side effect. Glancing away, I find the priest, but Mila speaks before he can.

“Look me in the eye, Dash. Look at me!”

I can’t.

Her veil remains untouched, so she grabs the ends and lifts it herself.“You once taught me how to fight. How to rebel.”

I expect this.

“I’m not going to.”

What?I meet her stare. She’s so stunning—no longer the raw, uncut stone I first glanced upon. No, now she is all carved up, polished with my hatred and affection.

She’s a sparkling diamond.

Her lips pull up into a snarl, showing me a hint of her dimples—two little indents that I love.

“I love you, Dash King, with all my heart, but that wasn’t enough then, and it won’t be now. I know why you’re doing this.” Her narrow shoulders lift as she shrugs,“I might have done the same.”

What was the point of this speech?

“What’s your plan?” She demands.

I nod for the priest to start, but she interrupts again.“Give us a minute.” Spoken like a queen dismissing her staff. His eyes bounce from me to her before he steps back a few feet and turns to look at the ocean.

“I deserve to know.”

Fine, I’ll tell you.“We will marry here legally. That will take your father’s enemies off your back, but then you’ll have mine breathing down your neck.” My eyes trace over her face, whichis still flushed with the breath of life. Alive and not dead.“Then, after a few weeks, I’ll have pictures leaked.”

“What pictures?” Her voice remains uncharacteristically neutral.

---