Page 14 of Iron Bride

Little did they know thatrevengewas an Irish hobby.

“That explains why she’s protecting them,” I concluded. “Because they’re one of her own.” I scoffed, almost disappointed at her naivete.

Oh, sweet ice queen. It’s not regal to have a knife in your back.

I reached my hand for Randa’s phone, and I put in her code to open the photo again.

“I have seen this man before, I think,” I whispered, as I examined the man’s features.

I snarled, looking down at the ground as the embarrassing truth hit me square in the chest.

“You’re sure?” Randa asked.

“I’m certain of it.” I fidgeted with the cuff link on my silk shirt, as I considered my next move.

Another deception, dear ice queen of mine?

This was becoming a habit. One that would land her over my knee, if she wasn’t very,verycareful.

“Looks like me and the misses are about to have a long tete-a-tete.”

Chapter six

Does This Hurt, Love?

Gia

Istared at the diamond eternity band, stacked on top of my engagement ring. It was large. Obnoxious. A weapon in itself. I wouldn’t need to hold my keys between my fingers when walking at night. I could just back hand them and do some serious damage.

I was married, now, sitting in my husband’s living room, staring at the city of New York from above. Like a bird of prey, glaring down at the mice in the field below.

My wedding day would be the second date on my tombstone. My death date.

Gone was Giovanna Durante, and in her place was some stranger called Giovanna Green.

Was I a ghost? A ghost of Christmas future?

“Darling—” The low rumble of his voice sent a shiver through me. “I’m home.”

My husband.

He stared at me with those disturbing eyes.

“Did you miss me?” He smirked, his eyes lazily scrolling down my body.

Memories of the other night flashed through my mind. His golden hair between my thighs, as he stared at me. He’d given me pleasure I didn’t think was possible.

I wish he’d beaten me instead.

I said nothing as he approached, pushing his sleeve up his arm, flashing those veins that advertised hours of physical labor.

“I’ve sent everyone home.”

I glanced around, realizing that the tittering staff who kept looking in on me were absent. I had done such a good job of ignoring them that I hadn’t even noticed that they were gone.

My husband’s long shadow crossed my sight, plunging me into his darkness.

I shivered, both from the growing cold of his presence and the sudden dread of being alone with a serpent, ready to strike.

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