Page 27 of Scandalous Kingpin
“Shit, how much did I drink last night?” I mumbled into the pillow.
A low chuckle. “I’d imagine it was probably too much.”
I shot up and swung my legs out of the bed, my bare feet hitting the cold marble floor. Dizzy from the sudden movement, I squinted my eyes open as my vision adjusted. Someone had removed my heels, but I was still in last night’s dress.
I darted around madly, trying to clock the unfamiliar surroundings. The area was cool and sophisticated, all sleek tan furniture, white-and-blue decals, and custom artwork that looked like it was plucked off the showroom floor. A white wooden bookshelf filled with dozens of leather-bound tomes occupied the space between two sets of bifold doors where sheer curtains danced in the breeze.
Then my eyes landed onhim.
“You,” I hissed. “Why am I here?” I questioned in a raspy, slightly shaky voice.
“I’m keeping my promise.”
I blinked in confusion. “What promise?”
“Making sure we both receive salvation.” My jaw dropped. “Besides, it was about time I took a wife, and you fit the bill.”
I choked on my fury.
“Where’s my bodyguard?” I’d demand he take me out of here.
Priest shrugged. “No clue.”
“I hate you.”
Anger scratched at my throat and the backs of my eyes. Ever since Wynter’s wedding, he had ignored me, and now that Aiden came into the picture, he waltzed into my life, kidnapping me.
Bitterness stung, and it had everything to do with his rejection.
“I can work with that.” Frustration chafed beneath my skin and I opened my mouth to curse him out, when his next words left me speechless. “I hear it’s a thin line between love and hate.”
His gaze met mine: blue darkening under a stormy sky. A flicker of something bright passed his expression, out of place in the current context. And then it clicked.
It was madness.
There was no other explanation for it.
“What do you think my brothers are going to say about this, huh?” Shit, what about myfiancé? Who knew what he might do if he thought I ran off? “I’m afraid you missed your window”—I forced some confidence in my tone—“because I’m about to get married.”
He scoffed. “Yes, to me.”
My eyes widened. “Have you lost your mind?” I screeched. “After your whole spiel about drowning and smothering? I still have no fucking clue what you meant, and now you think I’ll marry you? Are you fucking crazy?”
He flashed me a grin, one that was half sexy, half crazy and would probably have most women falling to their knees. “Quite possibly.”
Swallowing hard, I took a step back. “Have you been here the whole night?”
He shrugged. “More or less.”
I fisted my hands and marched across the room until I was standing right in front of this slightly deranged god of a man. “When my brothers find out, they won’t hesitate to start a war with your family and level you with?—”
“They know.” Priest’s lips widened into a lopsided smile.Red flag, my mind warned. “Get cleaned up and changed. Breakfast will be waiting for you downstairs.” I gaped at him as he turned to leave, but just as he reached for the handle, he said, “Everything you might need is on the right side of the walk-in closet. Any toiletries should be in the bathroom.”
Then he left the room, shutting the wide mahogany door behind him.
The moment Priest’s footsteps faded away, I ran to the bathroom to use the toilet, my bladder ready to burst.
When I moved to the sink to wash my hands, I made the mistake of checking my reflection in the mirror. Jesus, I looked like I’d been to hell and back. My hair was a mess, my white skater dress wasn’t looking so pristine anymore, and there was dirt—or was that drool?—smeared on my cheek. In summary, I looked ragged.
