Page 126 of Captive Bride

Tristan

The Governor’s lying in a pool of his own blood.

Is it wrong to say that I’m happy he’s gone?

The asshole deserved it.

He tried to hurt her, and that’s just something that’s not done on my watch.

In an instant, I know this part of our lives is over, and I feel reprieve. The politician is gone, and he can never threaten her again.

But my satisfaction is short-lived, because the bullets are blazing outside. These may be our last few moments on earth—and yet, all I see is her.

She’s wearing a hideous, bloodstained white wedding dress, which I immediately start to tear off her body.

She’s mine. Not his.

She’s all mine.

“Isobel,” I say, kissing her hard. “I thought I fucking lost you. I thought it was all over for us. That I’d never see you again.”

I cradle her tenderly in my hands, knowing that she had almost vanished from existence.

“Oh, Tristan. I knew you’d come. I was drugged and couldn’t move, and I was so scared.”

“Shhh, baby. I’m here now. Don’t think about it. It’s in the past.”

She looks at the door, then at me.

“We’re gonna die in here, aren’t we?” she asks.

I can’t bear to say it. I can’t look at this beautiful angel and reveal the truth.

Yes, Isobel. We might die in here. It’s even likely.

But thanks to you, I knew how it felt like to truly live.

That’s what I feel like saying to her. But I don’t.

I can’t be the one to break this gorgeous girl’s heart. I can’t tell her that death is imminent. I can do only one thing.

Make her focus on me, for us to have one last moment together on earth.

I will be with her when the end approaches.

Guns are shooting outside the door. I have no idea who will win this fight, Capulet or Montague.

It’s an equal match.

All I care about is having one more fuck with the woman I love before we go out with a fight.

I look at her and think how she’s discovered a new kind of strength. Even in this moment, minutes before death, she’s being brave.

I kiss her tenderly, completely tearing off her dress now.

This is not her fucking wedding.

This is her funeral.

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