Not just real. He said all the things I’d ever wanted to hear. He molded it into forever and always. Made me his wife.
His.Theirs.
So, it can’t just fizzle in the face of my infuriated brothers.
No. Why would it? Because he won’t fight for me?
My chest cracks, tiny fissures, like you’d see in dried clay. I can feel them spreading, their fingers lurching forward—lungs, sternum, ribs, spine. Soon, I’ll involuntarily crumple to the floor. Because even though I’m not a vampire, that’s what happens when someone stakes you in the heart.
When Ty’s voice slices through that laden pause, the walls and floor and lights all flicker with anI told you sotaunt.
And I smell kettle corn.
“I wanted to talk to you, planned to discuss things with you, but I fucked up. Killed the wrong guys. You have every right to be pissed, but it had to be this way. I married her to protect her.”
TY
Rena’s face blanches, the porcelain shade morphing into an ashen gray before my eyes. I never lied to her, but it’s clear my cryptic explanation of not giving her a choice in the marriage read differently from her vantage point.
Before I can address it, Ryker balks. “That’s fucking rich.”
“What are you talking about?” Rena asks, her voice so small and gravelly that it’s evident she’s choking on disillusionment.
“Last night with those guys … I didn’t realize who they were,” I begin while the rest of the room remains in a battle stance. “They were foot soldiers for a Mafia family we’re supposed to be aligned with.”
“Motherfucker,” Axel hisses, no doubt suspecting which family I’m referring to.
Maddox’s eyes squint, as though he’s piecing something together. “Did you draw up a prenup?”
“No,” I scoff, thrown off by the asinine assertion of priorities. “We didn’t have time for that shit. I did what I had to do to protect her without a second thought.”
“Are you hearing this, Rena?” Ryker is lasered in on me while addressing his sister. “After years of insisting that you would only marry for love, you ended up as a pawn in a business transaction anyway. And now, he owns you and your shares.”
She shakes her head as though she’s trying to dislodge the notion while Jax rubs her back and Ivy sidles up on her other side.
“Jesus Christ,” Wells hisses. “Let’s not muddy this nightmare any more than necessary. Why would Ty give a fuck about Noire shares? He’s got more capital at risk than she does. We all care about her and your whole family. You know that.”
Axel considers that for a beat, but walks to Rena and lifts her chin. “We should go home. We’ll sort through this. It’s okay. You’ll still be anchored to him, to them, but I’ll fix it. I’ll find a way.”
“Fuck that,” I spit, over this bullshit. “I know you’re upset, but you’re all messing with her head and hurting her.”
Axel peers back at me. “The marriage can protect her whether she’s here with you or not. If that was your intention, I appreciate it. But there’s no point—”
“She’s not leaving with any of you because she ismywife.” I stride toward her, not giving a fuck if one of them shoots me or not. “I’ll be the one protecting her.”
Rena glances between all of us, finally settling on Jax. “Help me pack.”
“No.” I snag a belt loop in her jean shorts, tethering her to me. “They’re confusing things. We need to talk about this, Little Moon.”
“Little Moon?” Cash sneers.
“Don’t, Ty.” Rena holds up her palm as tears drip down her cheeks. “Just don’t.”
The sight of her reeling is gutting. All these years, I’ve denied myself getting close to her in any respect so that I wouldn’t cross the line, wouldn’t risk endangering her, and because I believed itwas the right thing to do for countless reasons. And when it finally happens, every fear I ever held regarding her comes barreling at me.
Crunch. Squeak. Blood.
Hell is all I’ve ever had to offer.
