Page 56 of Malicious Wedding

“All right, fine. I choose right.”

I watch him uncertainly as he nods to himself, reaches into the pocket—

And drops to a knee.

“What the hell are you doing?” I ask, hands coming up to my mouth as he reveals a ring box.

“I didn’t get to do this properly,” he says, voice somber. “I’m not asking for your hand in marriage. I’ve already gotten that. But I am here to pledge myself to you. I am yours, Ashlyn Crowley, for as long as I’m breathing. You will want for nothing. You will never be hurt again. I will dedicate my days to making you happy in ways you never imagined. You are everything, and I am all yours.”

With that, he flips open the box.

I stare at the massive, glittering diamond.

“Holyshit,” Keely says from across the bar. Jamila shushes her forcefully.

“That’s mine?” I ask, blinking rapidly.

He nods. “Do you like it?”

I hold out my hand, not bothering to hide its tremble. All my clever little quips, my defensive measures, they disappear. All I can say is, “I do.”

“I hoped you would.” Gently, he slides it onto my finger. “There you are, my angel. All mine.”

He gets back to his feet. I stare at the ring as it sparkles in the overhead lights. I’ve never seen a ring like this before in my life, and I’d guess it’s worth more than this entire bar.

It’s obscene. It’s disgusting.

I love it so much I want to cry.

“Now, for the other pocket,” he says.

I clear my throat. “Right. Another surprise. As if this isn’t enough.”

He produces a black credit card. “This is yours.”

“Excuse me?”

He holds it out. “There’s no limit. Buy whatever you need.”

“Well, what the fuck!” Keely says, again getting shushed by Jamila.

I take the card. It’s thick, metal, and heavy. “This is ostentatious. And I’m pretty sure it’s a bribe.”

“You can call it whatever you want. It’s endless money. Enjoy.”

“Nothing is endless and everything comes with strings attached.” I narrow my gaze at him. “What’s the string, Carson?”

“No string. Only I want you home again tonight.” He gently touches my chin. “Wife.”

I hesitate, heart racing as I stare into his eyes. I flash back to the night before, to his softness in the shower, to stroking him off, to him fucking me, not once, but three times, and leaving the bruises to prove it.

He’s going to do all that to me again.

A thrill runs down my spine.

“Thank you,” I finally say. “Carson.”

He grunts, definitely unhappy I didn’t call himhusband, but turns away. “I have business to take care of. Have a lovely day.” He pauses at the door and gives a little smirk and a wave to the girls. Keely practically faints.

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