Nothing more.
And within minutes, we are wed.
“You may now kiss the bride,” Dante says.
Glaring, I glance up at my father. “Is that a requirement to be wed?”
I have no desire to kiss Harper, let alone touch her.
From now on, she can sleep in Zeke’s room.
Dante glances at my mother. “I do not believe so,” he says.
“Very well.” I drop Harper’s hands, the rings burning onto our skin as I storm out of the library, needing air and plenty of space.
I head out into the backyard, the cold breeze a welcome after the unrelenting heat inside.
“How are you holding up?” Ashton asks as he steps outside after me. He hands me my jacket.
I take my coat from him, sliding it on over my shoulders, and walk to the edge of the porch, overlooking the backyard. It’s quiet outside but cold. I can see my breath.
Staring down at the gold band, I twirl it with my thumb. The movement is subtle, the band a perfect fit.
It’s just an object.
It doesn’t have to mean anything.
“That good, huh?” Ashton quips and comes to stand beside me.
“Yeah, well, no thanks to you,” I mutter. I turn my attention from the ring to Ashton. “Were you really going to marry her?”
“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to,” Ashton admits and rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t have feelings for her if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“You used to,” I seethe, remembering when we were both crushing on the same girl.
It wasn’t so long ago, which has me skeptical that his feelings are truly gone.
But Harper is mine now.
Ashton is smart enough to abide by the mafia code. You don’t fuck with a brother’s wife.
Jealousy creeps in, and I’m not even sure I understand why I care, because Harper did everything in her power to destroy me.
“Used to is a long time ago. I have my sights set on a different girl at Evergreen,” Ashton says.
That garners my attention.
“Anyone I know?”
Ashton forces a tight smile. “She’s way out of your league.” He pats me on the back. “And you’re married, so she’s off-limits.”
I roll my eyes.
“Is this because I gave you shit all last semester about keeping away from my little sister?”
Ashton’s face goes slack, and he clears his throat. “I’m just saying, don’t worry about my love life when yours is on fire.”
“Seems like it’s a bit more frosty than fiery. I’m never taking her to bed again,” I grumble.
