Page 57 of Prince of Darkness

“No. It’s hers.” I open the box and pull the ring out. “Give me your hand, angel.” She holds it out, her hand slightly shaking. The round sapphire is surrounded by smaller diamonds. They match her eyes perfectly. The ring was really meant to be hers.

“Love you, angel.”

“I love you too, Max.” She wraps her arms around me as I kiss her again.

“Okay. Enough of that. We’ve got a wedding to plan,” My sister breaks in.

“Maybe baby showers too?” My mom slides that right on in there, making my soon-to-be wife turn cherry red. She buries her face in my chest. I hold her close.

“Plan it all.” I kiss the top of my angel’s head. “I’m going to give her everything she could ever want.”

“All I want is you,” she says into my chest. My mom smiles so big her eyes start to water. My sister smacks her arm.

“You cry, I’ll cry,” my sister half hisses at her.

“I think you’re right. I’m really going to like them.” Mia looks up at me as my sister and mom start to bicker. Somehow Amelia gets into it, too. It bleeds over into wedding talk.

“Told you I’d give you everything. I meant a family too.” When love is on the line you’ll do anything to keep it.

EPILOGUE

MIA

A few weeks later

“This place is so nice.” I peer around the fancy club. The music is already blasting. The dance floor is full of people.

“We have our own area.” Kim points to a roped-off space that sits up a little higher than the rest of the club. I don’t want to know what it cost to have the area reserved. Two big guards guide us through the sea of people. They part, making room for the security guards that have been with us all night. You’d think we were out for a super wild night. We spent the day at the spa and then went out to dinner. Max’s mom, Vicky, parted ways with us, telling us girls to have a good night. She was going home to her husband, Jim. We made a quick stop at Kim’s place to change into our club wear. That’s what Kim kept referring to our outfits as. Her husband shook his head at us as we headed out. But not before whispering something into Kim’s ear that had her blushing. I have a feeling he’s going to tattle on us to Max. They are, after all, best friends. Even if he married Max’s sister.

It makes sense now why we had to change clothes at Kim’s. I would not have gotten out of the house dressed like this. The girls didn’t give me much of an option. They pretty much took my other clothes from me and only left me the choice of the outfit that I’m currently wearing. I know Max would not be happy with the dress I am rocking right now. He’ll enjoy it when I get home, though. It is a little flashy for my taste. It is covered in silver sequins and molds to my body. I’m not sure how long I’m going to make it in these heels but the few glasses of wine that I had at dinner are making me forget the pain in my feet. The music makes my hips start to sway as we walk to the roped-off area.

“You have to put this on.” Before I know what’s happening, Amelia is dropping a bachelorette sash over me and putting a crown on top of my head. Both have flashing pink lights on them. I hate being the center of attention but I know that Amelia and Kim are enjoying this so I go along with it.

“Is this a penis?” I ask as Kim hands me a drink. The tip of the straw looks very much like a penis.

“Of course it’s a penis. Don’t pretend as though you’ve never seen one. You were getting the D when we picked you up this afternoon.” I flush because I was. They barely pried me from Max’s hands. It’s not that he didn’t want me to have a bachelorette party; he just never cares for us being apart. I don’t either. I've gone as far as even quitting my job. I hated it there and Max hated seeing me go somewhere every day that I disliked so much. He said it dimmed my light and he wasn’t having it. Besides, I had a wedding to plan in record time. Not to mention I think there are baby plans in the making. A lot is happening and I am enjoying every moment of it. Letting my soon-to-be husband spoil me is not a fight I wish to have. It is something that I’ve never had and watching his face light up every time he does something to make me happy brings me joy.

“Let’s not talk about your brother’s penis?” I suggest. Kim just shrugs.

Amelia lets out a laugh. “Speaking of penises. Look at that fine piece of ass behind the bar.” I follow her line of sight to see a black haired man with eyes just as dark. He’s in a white button-up shirt. The sleeves are rolled up, showing off all of his tattoos. He has bad boy written all over him. The button-up shirt seems odd for a bartender but the club is nice. The others are in plain black shirts. Maybe he’s the manager or something. He pops the top off a beer before sliding it across the bar. As though he can feel us staring at him, he turns to look our way. I avert my gaze so as not to be noticed. Not Amelia, though; she keeps on staring right at him.

“Not your type?” I question, making sure he can’t see my mouth. Last I heard she’d called it off with the other guy. She never sticks with one for long. She is a serial dater but she has a certain type. They are always rich, pretty boys. This guy is the total opposite of anyone I’ve ever seen her date before. That might be a good thing for her, though. She needs to shake it up a bit and then maybe she’ll find someone to settle down with.

“It’s a bachelorette party. Aren’t we supposed to be a little more wild?” Mischief dances in her eyes. “I think I’ll get my drink from the bar.” I glance back to the bartender who is still staring at her. Hell, half the men in the bar are. She’s hard to miss with her white-blonde hair and long legs. She can have her pick of men and she usually does. Yet she always goes for the safe ones. Ones she thinks can offer her security. Something she’s never had in life.

“Have fun.” I watch her go.

“He is hot.” Kim comes to stand next to me. “I’m not so sure she knows what she’s getting into with that one.” I nod in agreement. “Finish your drink. Let's dance before our men show up.” I chug the rest of my drink.

“Are they coming?” I ask as I set my glass down. I mean, I know it’s a bachelorette party but I wouldn't mind one bit if Max shows up. He was supposed to be out celebrating his bachelor party with Kim’s husband but I think all they did was go to dinner. Now I’m thinking dinner was their way of biding their time before busting into our party.

“They’re probably already here. Let’s give them a show.” Kim grabs my hand, leading me onto the dance floor. I barely sway my hips twice when an arm wraps around me. I don’t have to look to know it’s Max. I push back into him, letting my head fall back onto his chest.

“You’re going to pay for this dress.”

I turn in his arms wrapping my hands around his neck as he moves to the music with me. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Everyone is staring at you.” Max looks all around. I roll my eyes. He always thinks men are looking at me. That they want to snatch me away from him. I think he forgets he’s the one that women are always after. He says I don’t notice, which makes it easier for them to get close to me; where he knows when someone is trying to get to close to him and he’ll tell them to fuck off. I fight a laugh because while it’s rude it does make me laugh. It doesn't matter. Neither of us want anyone else. I know Max only wants me. I’m unbothered by other women.

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