Page 46 of Night Wedding
Gianna stared out the library door. “Why aren’t we part of that conversation?”
“They’re discussing something uber serious,” I replied. “And they don’t want me to hear it yet.”
“Rude.” Gianna put her hands on my hips.
“Not really.” My muscles tightened. Them needing privacy meant they wanted to shield me from a difficult conversation. “They’re trying to protect me. What that means is that this is probably pretty bad.”
The damage done might be irreversible. My heart panged, and my gut twisted at how Diego was wronged. Nobody should have their memories stolen.
No one should be forced to love someone.
Gianna sat beside me on the rug beside the cushion. “You don’t know that for sure.” She tapped my thigh. “It’s going to be all right,” she encouraged in a lighter tone.
“Is it?” My voice came out strangled. “It doesn’t look that way at all.”
“Don’t give up hope yet.”
“I wish it was that easy.” I turned to Gianna, tears blazing in the corner of my eyes. “It can’t end like this, can it? Has Diana won?”
Diego
Sebastian peered up at me with a sheepish expression that declared his guilt.
When he glanced behind me, his eyes narrowed. “What have you done to him, vamp?” As he rose, he pointed at Diana.
“Hey, hey, hey,” I protested with raised arms. “That’s my fiancée you’re talking to. Watch it.”
“She’s no such thing,” Sebastian spat. “She did something to you, Diego.”
“Go bark at a tree.” Diana flung her hand in his direction. “Or find another trash barrel to play in.” Her lips curled with revulsion as she scanned him.
Sebastian walked out from behind the barrel and onto the beach. “She left you a few years ago, breaking your heart,” he addressed me. “You haven’t been together since then. You’re with Nova now. You just proposed to her.”
“Bullshit.” I barked out a sarcastic laugh. “How can I be engaged to a woman I don’t know?”
Sebastian’s eyes implored me as he approached. “Diego, search your mind. Deep down you must know that something isn’t right.”
I sought for any logic in what he’d said, but my thoughts turned cloudy. A pang of discomfort grew at the base of my skull. I rubbed the back of my neck.
“He’s engaged to me.” Diana hissed at Sebastian and lunged for him. I leapt in between them pushing my arms out before they tore each other apart.
“What the hell is going on?” I demanded. “Why is everyone acting so damned crazy around here lately?”
“The only one acting out of character is you, Diego, but it’s nothing you’ve done,” Sebastian replied. “It’s because of her. Anything she’s telling you is a lie.”
“Diego, don’t listen to thiswolf.” She peered down her nose and emphasized the last word with distaste.
“She’s twisting your thoughts,” he added. “Don’t let her control you.”
“This is why we should move.” Diana ran her hand down my chest. “We don’t have to worry about creatures like him interfering with our happiness.”
Through the mind fog of confusion swirling like waters at low tide, I remembered something she’d said earlier. “I thought you liked it here.”
“I changed my mind. Too many supes are putting their noses into our private matters.” Her nostrils flared. “And they stink.”
Although I was ready to ditch my pain-in-the-ass roommates earlier, I might have been overreacting. Sure, their prank was out of line, but they were good guys and had my back. We often gave each other shit, like brothers. I shouldn’t let one stupid move ruin our friendship. “I have a life here. One I like.”
“We can start a new one somewhere else,” Diana said. “Abetterone.”
