Page 26 of Relentless Oath

I didn’t think Luis would have been interested in mingling with the friends of a family who’d killed his partner. I’d told no one about this arrangement. I’d told no one about the baby.

I was good at keeping secrets.

“You should eat something. I ordered all your favorites.”

I looked down at the plate in front of me. I hadn’t even noticed it. Had we even cut the cake yet?

It was all a blur. I just went through the motions.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Can you at least try to smile?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because it’s your wedding day.”

“You mean,yourwedding day. I’m just here because you’re blackmailing me, remember?”

I looked at him then. I’d avoided his eyes all day, but I wanted him to see how much I hated him at that moment.

I didn’t expect my stomach to do a little flip when my eyes finally connected with his. Did he look handsome? Of course. Devilishly so. That’s who he was.

His green eyes, the cut of the suit, even his hair was perfect. With his sharp jawline and olive-toned skin, he looked like a prince who’d just stepped out of a fairytale.

Too bad I had no interest in being his perfect little princess.

“I’m not sure why you want to speak of unpleasant things now, of all times.”

“Unpleasant things? Aren’t you fancy? Is that what we call blackmail nowadays?”

I didn’t care that my voice carried.

He frowned at me. “Keep your voice down.”

“Or what?”

“The gentleman at the table to your right is a US Senator. Next to him is the chief of police, and a well-known prosecutor. They all owe me favors, Mya, so before you get anyideas, I suggest you remember where you are and who you’re with. Take a breath and have a piece of cake.”

He slid a slice of cake my way and took a bite of his own. Then he had the audacity to smile and wink at me.

My fingers itched to throw the cake in his face. He must have read my thoughts because his smile dropped and he said, “You wouldn’t dare.”

I wanted to dare.God, I wanted to smash him right in his gorgeous, stupid, face.But I knew one spirited moment would mean I would have hell to pay.

Instead, I took a bite of my cake, sat my fork back down, and said, “It tastes like trash. Happy now?”

He stared at me, not saying a word, and then turned away from me. He picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth.

Finally, when he turned back toward me, I could see the anger in his eyes.

His look said,no more Mr. Nice Guy.

“You don’t have to be happy about the arrangement, but you will comport yourself with respect and grace. Is that clear?”

His audacity was starting to get on my nerves. “I will comport myself in any manner I deem appropriate.” I leaned in and whispered, “You think your fancy suits and money buys class? You’re nothing but a criminal with a decent vocabulary andenough money to make you forget that you got where you are by killing and sacrificing others. You’re not royalty, Dario. You’re just a criminal playing king.”

With that, I attempted to stand up, but he smoothly caught me by the waist and kept me pinned to my seat.

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