Page 16 of Royal Beast
I clear my throat, cutting her off. “Thanks for the advice,” I tell her. “And I get it. But I know what I’m getting myself into.”
Clary shrinks back and nods, though the concern doesn’t leave her eyes.
I’m saved from the conversation when Maureen returns with another dress and presses it into my hands. “Take this one. I think it will work.”
I step back into the fitting room and pull off the lace dress, slipping into the one Maureen just brought. This one feels much more my style. This dress is also short, with an empire waist and off-the-shoulder bishop sleeves. The bodice is tight, with a sweetheart neckline and ruching over the chest.
As I smooth my hands over the material, I’m struck by the fact that I’m about to getmarried. It’s like it didn’t feel real until just now.
I step out in a daze, and Clary and Maureen both light up when they see me. Maureen gives me a giant grin and a thumbs-up.
“Perfect,” she says. “Let’s get one in your size and make sure it doesn’t need any last-minute alterations. Oh! What is your shoe size, dear?”
Clary nods and smiles, and that’s all the reassurance I need. I feel my nerves settle as Maureen rings us up. I almost have a mini heart attack at the price, but Clary simply presses Kellan’s black Amex into Maureen’s hand and that’s that.
Clary helps me into the dress and fiddles with my hair, pinning up the back but leaving a couple of strands by my face. She carefully wipes off my dark lipstick and paints on a blush pink one from her handbag before declaring that I’m ready.
I glance in the mirror and blink, struck by the fact that it only took a little bit of work to make me look like a bride. I smile at her and thank her profusely.
“Ready to go?” she asks. I nod, and she follows me to the town car, opening the back door for me. “I’m taking a cab back to the office. Kellan wants you to meet him at the courthouse,” she explains.
I take in a deep breath and give her a quick hug. “Thank you for helping me,” I tell her.
“Good luck, and you’re very welcome,” she says, rubbing my back. I head off in the town car, wondering once again whether I’m making the right decision.
Kellan is waiting for me outside when I arrive. He gives me his arm and escorts me up the steps. He doesn’t comment on my attire. He only gives me a soft smile as we head into the judge’s chambers.
“Kellan, my boy!” Judge Hammond declares, pulling him in for a bear hug. The older man pats Kellan on the back with a broad hand, then squints at me before giving a nod of approval.
Kellan leans in and whispers something in his ear then palms a bill into his hand. Any hope I had for the judge seeing through our charade is instantly dashed. This man already knows Kellan.He’s probably one of the judges in the pockets of the Brannagan family.
“Let’s get this thing started,” the judge says, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiles benevolently at us. “Take her hand,” he instructs.
Kellan takes my hand, and a tingle runs through me. But as I gaze into his eyes, the pit in my stomach grows.
“We’re here today to witness the union between Kellan Brannagan and Darcy Flynn,” Judge Hammond states. “You begin a new life together today founded in love, honesty, respect, and friendship.”
What a farce. Our marriage is a business transaction, nothing more.
The judge continues, as though this is all perfectly normal.
“Kellan, do you take Darcy to be your spouse and live as partners, to build a marriage that grows stronger and more loving as time passes?”
“I do,” Kellan says, the intensity in his gaze rooting me to the spot.
The judge repeats the question, directing it at me, and I swallow hard, trying not to cry.
“I do.”
Judge Hammond begins to wrap things up, saying stuff about love and trust, but I barely pay attention, too stuck on the ridiculousness of the whole thing.
He presents the marriage certificate, and when it’s my turn to sign, I decide that even though I’m doing this to help my family, I’m still going to try to find a way to fix this mess and get out of this sham marriage.
Once it’s done, Kellan gives me a kiss that leaves my toes curling before tugging me away. We head back to the waiting town car and drive in silence to his office.
“Rory, we’re back!” Kellan calls out. He takes my hand and pulls me into his brother’s office. “This is Darcy. She’s my wife,” he introduces. “Darcy, this is my brother Rory.”
“Welcome to the family,” Rory says, though his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
