Page 57 of Malicious Wedding

Carson disappears outside.

“That asshole,” I say, staring at the ring and the credit card.

My two bribes.

Then I’m swamped. Keely, Jamila, and Bernie are all there, chattering at me, asking questions, looking at the objects my husband so lovingly shoved into my hands.

“I don’t even want to hear the depraved things you did to earn all this,” Keely says, shaking her head.

“Keel!” Jamila punches her arm. “I’m sorry, Ash, she’s just jealous.”

“I know, Jams, it’s okay.”

Keely grins at me, crossing her arms. “Let me know if he’s got a brother,” she says.

“He does,” I mutter, glaring back at the door.

“You’re rich now,” Bernie says as Keely and Jamila get back to work.

“Seems that way.” I heft the card up and down. “What’d they make this out of? Freaking iron?”

“Probably.” Bernie chews her lip. “I’m worried. This is happening really fast.”

“I know.” I slip the card into my pocket. “He’s buying me, that’s all. It won’t last.” I’m about to take the ring off—but think better of it.

Carson would flip out of he knew I removed it for even a second.

And besides, I like the way it looks.

Not necessarily what it represents, but hey, a girl can enjoy pretty things.

“You really think he’ll get tired of you?”

“I’m banking on it.” I stare at the door as I pitch my voice softer. “I can’t stay married to him forever, Bern. The second he’s not watching me like a hawk anymore, and all this dangerous crap with the Polish guys is done with, I’m out of this marriage. Whatever it takes.”

Bernie squeezes my arm. “I’m with you no matter what.”

“In the meantime…” I trail off, grinning at her. “I think the bar could use some upgrades. What do you think?”

“I think I haven’t seen a new glass in this place for like five years.”

I take her arm and we walk back to the bar together, scheming about the future.

Chapter25

Carson

Istand on the sidewalk as my men carry boxes of Ash’s things into my townhouse. “That’s more or less the whole apartment,” Fitz says, standing at my elbow. “Should we do anything else?”

“What’s left behind?”

“The furniture.” His nose wrinkles. “I was thinking we could burn the lot of it.”

“Make it happen. She won’t be going back.”

“Consider it done.”

When he doesn’t move, I turn to him. “Something else?”

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