Page 29 of Don't Make Me Beg
I’m calling in my favor.
I need your help with something, and you can’t tell anyone.
Jett
Goddammit.
What’s going on?
I’m getting married this evening, and you’re going to be my best man.
Jett
Fucking hell, Luka. For what it’s worth, I think this is a terrible idea.
What do you need me to do?
We need rings. Stop by Jewelry Store and pick out something classy. Gold, not silver. Nothing gaudy but make sure the diamond’s big enough to make a statement.
Jett
I really hate you right now. I hope you know, after this, we’re even.
Trust me, I know.
I used the ride over to make the last of my calls, and lucky for me, all it took was a few more persuasive donations to get Miss Scarlett on board. Honestly, she probably would’ve agreed just for the simple bragging rights that she’s the first to know, but I made sure to throw in a little extra to sweeten the deal.
“Luka, where are we going? The courthouse is that way?” Scout’s voice cuts through the speaker in my helmet when I turn left, heading away from town.
“We’re not going to the courthouse.”
“Then where are we going?”
“Jesus, woman. I told you I was handling it. Just relax and go with the flow.”
“I’m not really a go-with-the-flow kind of person, if you haven’t noticed,” she squeals, her hands tightening around my middle as we lean into the sharp turn.
As soon as we make it out of the turn, I lay on the gas. “That’s because you’ve never had someone you trust to help handle things.”
“I hate to break it to you, Luka, but I’m not feeling particularly trusting of you right now.” I feel her helmet press against my back as she squeezes her arms even tighter. “Is the speeding really necessary, or are you purposely trying to throw me off?”
No, it’s really not. But it’s not every day I get to have the town princess riding as my backpack on the way to our shotgun wedding. Forgive me for cherishing the moment.
“Stop your whining and just enjoy the ride. All your nagging back there is ruining the vibes.” My hand moves to her bare thigh, suddenly remembering she’s wearing a dress. I loosen my grip on the gas, bringing the bike to a slower, safer pace.
I instantly feel her body relax as we fall into a comfortable silence.
You’d think I’d be second-guessing myself, with the impulsiveness of this decision, but I’m oddly at peace with it.
When I was younger, I always thought someday I would get married and maybe start a family of my own, but that was before my whole life got turned upside down.
After getting out of prison, finding someone to share my life with was the furthest thing from my mind. I don’t think I’m capable of trusting someone to that degree ever again. So, if anyone was going to enter into a marriage of convenience, forthe simple pleasure of ruining Scout’s perfect image and her father’s precious reputation, then it makes sense that it’d be me.
It’s not like I’ve got anything more to lose. At least this time, I’m the one with the upper hand.
It’s nearly sunset by the time we make it to Phantom’s Reach. The blue sky is streaked with orange and pink as the sun makes its descent behind the mountains. Massive hemlock trees tower above us on either side as we disappear beneath their shadows. I slow my speed as I maneuver through the narrow, winding roads that are only known by locals and even then are rarely taken…especially after the sun goes down.
This place is completely secluded. Which makes it the perfect place for us to elope.
