Page 30 of The Don's Arranged Marriage

"I know." I have to fight to not roll my eyes at him. "Make sure you get two beds, eh?" I say as we arrive at the office.

"But it's our wedding night," he counters with a shit-eating grin, and suddenly, the tiredness within his eyes is gone.

"You actually have to say I do for it to be a wedding," I say as I walk backward towards the gas station.

"I do." He instantly says with a big smile, and I can't help the small chuckle.

"Nice try."

I turn around and walk the short distance over to the gas station.

Thankfully, there is no one in the parking lot, so I don't have to deal with any stares.

That wouldn't help with the attendant, but I can't be the first bride they've seen.

The second I walk into the station, I am hit with relief as I see some shirts hanging on the back wall.

I immediately head over and start to look for my size.

I don't care that the shirts are various rock bands; all that matters is that they will be far more comfortable than what I am currently wearing.

A suit of armor would almost be more comfortable.

I grab a couple and search through the racks until I find a pack of socks, panties, a grey pair of sweatpants, and some black sleep shorts.

It isn't much, but it will be enough to get me through until we can find an actual store so I can get some real clothes. What I am impressed by is the running shoes that I manage to find.

I bring everything up to the cashier, and the older woman standing behind the counter looks me up and down before she speaks. "Long day?"

"You have no idea," I respond with a kind smile.

"Honey, if you gotta run, that means he doesn't deserve you." She says as she starts to ring up the order.

I am not about to tell her that the groom also had to run.

The less people that know about what happened, the better it will be.

I don't know much about this life, but I know you don't go around talking about a shooting.

The safest thing I can do is to keep my mouth shut.

Once everything is rung up, I hand her the cash before taking the bag.

"Thanks," I say.

"I hope your luck turns around," she offers as I head out.

"You and me both," I say under my breath as I head back out.

I see Anthony coming out of the motel's office with a key in his hand.

"You find what you need?" He asks, once I am close enough.

I speak as I hand the cash back over to him.

"A couple of things. Gonna need to hit a store tomorrow to get a few things, like a coat."

"We can hit one along the way. We're in room twelve, but there weren't any with two beds available," he says as he starts to guide me towards the motel room.

---