I stared for a beat longer, letting the silence burn.
Her legs bare. Hair wild. That ring—my ring—burning on her hand like a brand.
This was it.
The line crossed.
The match lit.
“Come on.”
She blinked. “What? Where are we going?”
“You need a dress.” I stepped toward her, slow and deliberate.
Didn’t touch her—but I could see her pulse jump.
She hesitated. “I don’t… I don’t have any clothes. I didn’t bring anything. I—when I left—” Her voice cracked, the words trailing off like she’d realized too late what walking out of her old life actually cost.
Like she was still holding onto a goddamn secret.
I didn’t care.
“So?” I cut in, sharp. Final. “I’ve got nothing to do today. Let’s shop.”
She furrowed her brows, still trying to catch up. Still trying to breathe.
And then I gave her the rest.
Dropped it like a hammer.
“And then,” I said, voice low, voice lethal, “once you have everything you need, we get married. Tonight.”
Chapter 9
Kennedy
I stepped into the bridal boutique, feeling the weight of the ring on my finger, a cold reminder of the choice I made. Nick’s black Wraiths hoodie hung loosely over my leggings, a comfort that felt entirely out of place in this world of silk and lace. The air thickened with whispers as I crossed the threshold, every eye in the room snapping to me like I was an unwelcome guest.
A woman near the entrance shot me a look that could slice through glass. Her phone buzzed against her palm, and I caught a glimpse of a headline: “Delgado’s Fiancée Caught in Scandalous Affair with Maddox.” My stomach churned at the words, each syllable echoing my worst fears.
I took a breath, trying to shake off the panic clawing at my throat. This wasn’t about them or their judgment; it was about me—my decision. Still, I felt small under their scrutiny, like I had walked into a lion’s den dressed as prey.
I hesitated at the threshold, every insecurity clawing at me. I wasn’t supposed to be that girl—the reckless one, the fallen one. The whispers grew louder, wrapping around me like a noose. What if they were right? What if I was just a pathetic reflection of my choices?
Nick stayed close behind me, his presence like steel against my back. He didn’t need to say anything for me to feel his energy, the way it thrummed with an intensity that dared me to move forward. I could sense the heat radiating from him, an electric current that urged me on.
He leaned down, his breath warm against my ear. “You walked into my world. Let them see you fucking own it.”
His words sent a rush of defiance through me, igniting something deep within. I straightened my spine, letting his confidence seep into my bones. With every heartbeat, I felt the weight of the ring on my finger shift, reminding me of the choice I had made.
The boutique's polished mirrors reflected not just my image but the ghost of who I used to be—an obedient daughter, a dutiful fiancée. But standing here in Nick’s hoodie and this unexpected role as his claimed bride, I caught a glimpse of someone else: a fighter who was ready to push back.
With each step deeper into this world that Nick had dragged me into, something inside me snapped into focus. No more hiding; no more pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
I glanced back at Nick, catching his gaze as he stood tall and unapologetic behind me. A small smirk played at the corners of his mouth—a promise that he would be there through it all.
The stylist ushered me to the back, her expression pinched like she’d just bitten into a lemon. The room was cluttered with silks and tulle, but her disdain for me cut through the air sharper than any fabric.
