Page 63 of Twisted Redemption

“I can either drop you off at the office and you can hang out with Dominic until I’m done, or you can come with me. And then after, we can talk.”

I tilt my head, watching him. For a man who’s about to get married, he doesn’t look happy. At all. “Don’t you want to spend the day with Char? Are you guys not doing a honeymoon? And you’re really going to keep staying here after you get married?”

He tugs at his tie. “That’s what I need to explain. I wanted to do it this morning, but I overslept. So it’s gonna have to be after.”

I bite my bottom lip, thinking. “Do you want me there?”

To be honest, neither of the options he’s giving me sound good. I hate the Grayson Security building—too many bad memories. And the thought of Blaze getting married to someone other than me is like a stab to the heart.

Whoa there. Where did that thought come from? He’d never marry you.

“I do,” he says softly. “As long as it won’t be too hard for you.”

Will it be too hard for me? It’s been barely a week since Blaze had me naked and spread out on my kitchen counter with his head in between my legs.

I shiver at the thought, absolutely hating myself for the want curling its way through my body at the memory. He just felt so good.

“Do you think Charlie really wants the woman her husband cheated on her with at her wedding?”

“I think,” Blaze says, glancing at his watch, “that in a little over an hour, Charlie won’t give a single fuck.”

I drum my fingers on the couch cushion. The more I learn about the two of them, the more my suspicions solidify: this isn’t a normal marriage. Something else is going on here.

Relief spirals through me at the thought that maybe I didn’t cause Blaze to cheat on his fiancée. He did say at the time that she wouldn’t have minded.

“All right. I’ll come with you.”

Without another word, I head upstairs to change into something more wedding-appropriate. I don’t bother asking for more details. He said we’ll talk afterward, and I’m planning on holding him to his promise.

Because I have too many questions and not enough answers, and that needs to change—fast.

BLAZE AND CHAR’S WEDDING is weird.

There are no happy tears. Hell, there are barely even any smiles. Just an odd amount of relief written all over Char’s face.

I watch numbly as they say their vows and the judge pronounces them husband and wife. They don’t even kiss, and it piques my curiosity just as much as it makes my stupid heart hope.

Once we’re out of the courthouse, Charlie lets out a laugh and turns to Blaze. She hugs him. “Thank you. Seriously, I know this has been hard.”

“Just let me know if you need anything else.” He squeezes her so hard she grunts.

Then Charlie turns to me and grins. “Thanks for being our witness.” She wraps me up in her arms, whispering in my ear, “He’s all yours, babe.”

When she pulls away, I give her a confused look. “What?”

But it’s all beginning to click. There are still a few missing puzzle pieces, but one thing is clear: this wasn’t a marriage of love. It was one of convenience.

“Wow. He actually didn’t tell you?” Char looks between me and Blaze. “I didn’t think he’d be able to keep his mouth shut.” Then she shrugs. “Thanks, B.”

I watch as she walks to her car, gets in, and drives off. She looks multiple years younger than she did a half hour ago when we all entered the courthouse together.

“Let’s go.” Blaze’s hand slides down my body and comes to rest on the small of my back. Half of me recoils at the thought of him touching me, but the other half—the more desperate half, I suppose—has me leaning into him as we move to his car.

Once we’re on our way back home, I break the silence. “You don’t love her.”

“She’s a good friend.” His grip on the steering wheel tightens. His mood was already worrisome this morning, but he’s looking much worse now.

“And you married her because...?”

---