I stand next to Liam, my arm brushing his. He’s perfectly composed—relaxed even—as though everything is going just fine. As if our worlds aren’t imploding. As if he didn’t almost choke a man to death in the hallway. As if he isn’t lying to everyone on my behalf. He wears that infuriating grin. I’ve come to realize it’s part of his mask. The person underneath is far more complex than I originally gave him credit for.
Meanwhile, I feel like my skin is too tight. My heart is pounding so hard, it’s almost painful. I can’t believe this is happening, that I’m about to tie my life to his because I’ve run out of time. Because of one mistake. Because I was too trusting. Because I let myself be stupid.
And yet… I have to admit I feel better knowing it’s Liam. It’s not some stranger or another alliance picked by my father. It’s him. And it may be crazy given how short our engagement has been, but I feel like Iknowhim. Like he knows me.
The magistrate clears his throat, glancing up from his paperwork. “We are gathered here today…” His voice drones, but each word lands like a nail being pounded into place as he reads from a script. I shift my weight and glance around the room.
No one is looking at me. Not Rafferty. Not Nolan. Not my parents. Not even Liam’s family.
I could scream that this is all wrong and they wouldn’t hear me—they wouldn’t care.
The magistrate reaches the part where he asks, “If anyone has reason why these two should not be joined, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
There’s a beat of silence.
Then Liam leans toward me slightly, his voice a low rumble. “Anything you want to say, beauty?”
The question rocks me harder than I expect. He’s the only one asking. The only one who’s given me the choice—even if it’s just for show. My family hasn’t asked for my side of the story. They accepted Liam’s tale and never once asked me about it. They’ve all decided this is what I deserve. But Liam is taking the hit for me. He made up an elaborate story to protect me. He’s standing here, letting the entire world think this was his plan when I know the truth. He’s giving me an opportunity to voice this is all a lie if I want to. But, do I want to?
I look up into his eyes—steady, unflinching—and I shake my head. “No.”
Something flickers in his expression—approval, maybe. He reaches for my hand, sliding his warm fingers over mine.
The magistrate nods. “Then let’s proceed with the vows.”
The words sound like static as he reads them, but when Liam repeats, “I do,” my breath catches. His voice is certain as he slides the simple gold band onto my finger, like he’s already claimed me. He adds the diamond that had once felt suffocating and squeezes my fingers.
When it’s my turn, I hesitate—only for a second—before sliding the ring over his finger as I echo my vows. Then I say it, the words tumbling out soft but sure. “I do.”
When the magistrate pronounces us man and wife, making it all official, Liam turns to me. He doesn’t kiss me—not yet. He just studies me with those sharp blue eyes, like he sees every crack in my armor.
It hits me then, the weight of it. I’m married. I’m someone’s wife. I’m his.
“Thank you for having my back, Taryn,” he murmurs, too low for anyone else to hear. “I hope you trust that I’ll always have yours.”
And God help me, that’s exactly what I want—someone to have my back. Someone I can turn to. Someone who sees me, even when I’m a mess of bad decisions and fear.
He brushes his lips over mine, barely a kiss, more a promise. The touch is soft, fleeting, but it sears through me. My breath hitches, and I hate how badly I want him to do it again.
When he pulls back, there’s a glint in his eyes, something dark and certain. “We’ll figure the rest out later,” he murmurs, as if he’s already sure we will. As if I have no choice but to follow him into whatever storm is coming next. And maybe, just maybe, this time, I don’t want to fight it.
LIAM
It’s nine o’clock at night and the group of us sit at a corner table at Titus. The woman at my side, my wife, is quiet. Too quiet. Too pale. Neither of us wanted to come straight here, but much like the wedding, it wasn’t an option. My mother had insisted that weat leasthave a dinner to celebrate our nuptials with family. In fact, my mom and new mother-in-law are huddled together planning a reception to be held in a couple weeks.
My father doesn’t look delighted, but as usual, he isn’t going to tell my mother no. In fact, she’s smiling at the moment, listening to Katie Walsh animatedly explain various reception venues. My father’s eyes soften as he watches her. When she catches him staring, she grins.
“This is the right thing to do, Kian,” she tells him patiently, and most of the table quiets to listen. “We want to combine our clans. A formal reception will bring everyone together. This marriage is a reason to celebrate. Truly. We need to start acting that way. I, personally, am thrilled to have Taryn in the family.” She beams at my bride. “I promise you that Liam knows how lucky he is to have you, honey. I know this isn’t what you dreamed of.” She pauses to take a breath. Hell, I hold mine, curious what she’ll say next. “But the son I raised will make sure that you are happy. He will treat you like the gift that you are. Won’t you, Liam?”
I reach over to take Taryn’s hand. It’s ice. “Of course, Mom.” I kiss Taryn’s knuckles. “I am fully aware of how fortunate I am.”
I catch Nolan’s eye. Taryn’s brother has his jaw locked, watching my every movement. I smile at him. His threats are meaningless now. She’s mine.
I can’t hear what the rest of Taryn’s family is saying at the end of the table, but it’s irrelevant because Rowan captures my attention with his next comments. “I had my things moved out of my townhouse on campus earlier today. It’s now yours. Taryn’s friends have been packing up her place to move her in this evening, but I’m afraid we’ll still need to figure out your stuff.”
Shit. I hadn’t even thought about living arrangements.
Rowan continues. “If you can stop by your place to pack a bag tonight, I’m sure we can have movers arranged by tomorrow.”
