Page 196 of Beautifully Reckless

Sighing dramatically, I roll my eyes and slap my hands lazily against my sides.

“Oh, my bad. I just thought since I’m already wearing a ring…”

I don’t finish the sentence. Instead, I raise my hand and flash my black band in front of his face.

“That’s easily fixed, Abigail.” His eyes darken, sparing the ring a single glance. “Either you take it off, or we will.”

I gasp, slapping a hand to my chest in mock horror.

“You wouldnever.” I feign terror before I start laughing again, the sound wicked and deranged.

Banes scoffs, before pointing to the thugs.

“Get it off her.”

I keep laughing, even as one of the thugs wraps his arms around me from behind, pinning me in place, and the other starts trying to pry the ring from my finger.

“Hold still,” he grits, his breath hot and angry as I squirm, trying to drag this out for as long as possible.

I don’t know what they think the ring is for, given their reaction. Are they really that dumb?

Sure, the ring isn’t traditional gold or white gold, so maybe they think it’s something insignificant. I’ve got no clue howthey’ll react when they find out I’m already married, but I know in my gut it won’t end well for me.

It takes the thug a few tries to drag the black band off my finger, and when he does, a stupid smile spreads across his face like he’s just struck gold.

Idiot.

The thug behind me lets go, and I stumble forward on purpose, right into Minister Banes.

He reaches to steady me, which is when his eyes fall to my hand, pressed flat against his chest, I realise… this just worked in my favour.

“What’s that?” Banes snatches my wrist, yanking my hand up to get a better look.

“What’s what?” I blink at him, all innocent, fluttering my lashes.

His harsh eyes burning with rage meet mine, and my laugh returns.

“Is that atattoo?” He curls his lip in disgust.

“What?!” my mum screeches, storming to my side, snatching my wrist from the minister to see for herself.

“Abigail!Howcould you get a tattoo? Now you look liketrash!”

Yanking my hand back, I lean in close and hiss in her face like a snake.

She flinches back at the sound, before waving a dismissive hand, her eyes turning to the minister.

“It’s fine. Laser will get it off.”

Again, I laugh, louder this time, turning to face the sea of men watching this mess unfold.

“Whoops.” I lift my hand, point to the ink on my finger. “I have another man’s name on my body.”

“Can we get on with this?” Daniel finally snaps, his tone clipped and full of barely concealed irritation.

Clearly he’s not a fan of my little performance.

My mum nods like she’s suddenly the one running this whole circus.

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