Page 93 of Bonded By Christmas
Tonight should be an adventure, though.
It was supposed to be Vanessa Chapman’s engagement announcement to the O’Connor brothers. If all goes well, someone will be getting engaged tonight… It just won’t be who the guests believe they’re coming to celebrate.
I’ve personally negotiated on behalf of both families, but even I don’t have confidence everything will go off withouta hitch. At least everyone involved is aware of the basics beforehand.
If it all works out, the O’Connors will be free to pursue Charlotte, and Vanessa will become the problem of the family she was after from the beginning.
I don’t feel especially sorry for Emory Moretti. He considered selling Grim out to make an alliance with that MC out of Jacksonville. He deserves a little suffering in life in the form of one Vanessa Chapman.
I chuckle, shaking my head.
God, I’ll be grateful to no longer have her and her brothers calling me twenty times a day, but I shouldn’t be spiteful. If I had a sister in her situation, I would also advocate for her to choose her own path in life. Hopefully this bullshit of arranged marriages dies off with our generation.
I could choose to feel sorry for Emory, since he doesn’t realize he’s the prey in all of this, but I figure that will be his surprise. I’m sure Vanessa will make for quite the doting and loyal wife.
My anxiety is high, but I have to trust that everyone will do their parts.
And ultimately?
This is not my goddamn problem.
They can hash it out among themselves, as far as I’m concerned.
I want to drink champagne, show off my fiancée, and spend the night checking out Lacey’s ass in her barely there dress.
Lacey sits at the built-in vanity in the pack bedroom, applying her makeup in nothing more than a sexy little thong andstrapless bra. Grim and Callum are just waiting for the chance to fight over who will help her into the dress that we’re all so fond of.
I’m still every bit as enamored by my mother’s ring on her finger. I love the physical proof that we’re engaged and she’s permanently off the market.
I slide onto the bench next to her, wrapping my hand around her lower back as I place the gift box on her lap with the other.
“You look stunning,” I say, kissing her cheek.
“Thank you.” She grabs the box. “What’s this?”
“Just a little something to adorn your neck tonight.” I grin shamelessly. “Well, outside of Callum’s and Grim’s bites.”
“You know, I wouldn’t mind if you and Cal wanted to take Grim’s approach and get my name tattooed on your necks.” She tilts her face toward mine, and I can’t help myself. I shove my lips to hers, cleaning and teasing my bondmark.
I pull back, chuckling. “That might be a lot to ask of Callum, since he’s still healing from getting your name across his heart.” Not to mention, my entire back piece is dedicated to her.
“What can I say? I’m greedy.” She laughs.
Hmm. Then again, no one can see my back—not unless I’m undressed. I do love the idea of any woman who looks at me knowing I’m taken, but I’m not sure I’m edgy enough to pull off a neck tattoo. Perhaps something a bit lower than Grim’s that could be hidden by my suit collar.
I pat her bare stomach. “Open your gift so I can put it on you.”
She gasps as she pops the lid, exposing the necklace. It has a light blue aquamarine stone in a heart-shaped pendant, and it will match her dress for the ill-fated event tonight to perfection. If nothing else, I’ll enjoy having her at my side.
“Wilder, it’s beautiful,” she murmurs.
“You’re beautiful,” I tell her, capturing her mouth in another tender kiss.
She’s my peace before we descend back into the chaos of my world.
How soon is too soon to retire?
I’m ready to spend my days lounging around the house with my beautiful bride-to-be.
