Page 3 of Triumphant Kings

Collin wraps an arm around my waist, the other going to my hip. He gives it a reassuring squeeze as I wrap my arms around his neck.

We start to move to the music as the band begins playing a slow song. Lying my cheek on Collin’s shoulder, I close my eyes, pressing a kiss to his neck, trying to calm myself down.

“You're doing good, Sunshine,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I’m sorry you have to do this.”

“Don’t be.” I sigh heavily, another wave of guilt because he must think I regret this, or that I felt pressured into it. I didn’t. If anything, I pressured him into doing this. “Marrying you isn’t a bad thing, Collin. I love you. I want to be with you. I just hate how all of this had to happen.”

“I know.” He rubs his thumb against the curve of my back. “And I know I should have said no and not let you get involved with getting me out of this fucked up situation, but I’m not going to lie, Sadie, the idea of marrying anyone who wasn’t you had me desperate. Call me selfish, but I’m fucking over the moon that you have my last name.”

“I’m happy too, but I never wanted to choose. I wasn’t supposed to marry any of you.”

“Ouch,” he chuckles.

I move back so that I’m looking into his eyes. “That’s not what I mean. If I could have it my way, I’d marry all of you. But seeing how that's not legal in this country, that’s not going to happen.”

If I could have things in all the ways my heart aches for, we would be living a very different life.

“I’m not gonna lie, the possessive bastard in me is banging his fist against my chest in triumph. And I know this doesn’t change anything when it comes to the romantic relationships in your life. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to enjoy the fuck out of calling you my wife.” He gives me one of those crooked grins that has my stomach twisting into knots, in a good way. “You're going to call me your husband, too, right?” He raises a brow, the grin still on his face.

“Only when the others aren't around,” I grumble as his smile grows. “Or in public like this.”

Collin looks over my shoulder, and the smile falls away. “What?” I ask, suddenly on alert. I try to look around, but Collin grasps the back of my head, holding me in place. “Don’t look,” hecommands before leaning down to kiss me. It’s deep and dirty, all for show, but it still doesn’t stop the way my stomach flutters with arousal. “My father is watching,” Collin murmurs against my lips. “And he’s pissed.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I ask, a flush of fear washing over me.

“I guess we’ll find out.” Collin moves me around, dancing to the music, angling my body just enough to see his father’s retreating form storming out of the doors that lead out to the garden.

“Fuck.” I bury my face into his chest and take a deep breath. “It’s like I can breathe now.”

“I know,” Collin murmurs, rubbing his hand up and down my back as he kisses the top of my head. “Me too.”

“But for how long?” I ask, tilting my head back to look him in the eyes. “We might have gotten you out of an unwanted marriage, but we’re not stupid enough to think that's the end of it.”

“Oh, it’s not,” he replies, and I sigh heavily. “It’s not over until one of us is in a body bag,” he states grimly.

My lips part as I gape up at him in horror. “What the fuck, Collin?” I hiss. “Why would you say that?”

His face falls, morphing into one filled with guilt. He’s about to say something else when we’re bombarded by our mothers.

“Collin!” Carol slaps the back of Collin’s head.

“Ouch,” he groans. “What's that for?” He frowns down at her, rubbing the back of his head.

“What’s that for?” She narrows her eyes at her son. “Don’t play stupid with me, boy.” Carol looks my way. “Excuse me, love, I need a word with my son.” She grabs Collin’s arm and starts to tug him away. “But don’t think you’re off the hook, young lady.”

I’m trying not to laugh, it’s really not the time for it, but it’s pretty funny to watch this tall, grown man be scolded by his mother like a child.

“What are you smiling about?” Mom’s voice has my back stiffening.

Biting my lower lip, I turn to her with guilty eyes. “Hey, Mom,” I say lamely.

She raises a brow. “Don’t you ‘hey, Mom’ me. So, you’re married, huh? Isn’t that typically something one would let their mother in on?”

Her eyes are filled with hurt, adding another punch to my gut. I was so focused on making sure Collin didn’t go through with the forced arranged marriage, I didn’t stop to really think about the fallout and how this was going to affect the other people in my life.

“I’m ss-sorry,” my words break as I grab her hand and tug her away from the crowd of people. Now probably isn’t the best time to be spilling all my secrets, but I’ve been lying to my mom for too long.

I can’t do it anymore.

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