Okay. What just happened? “On what?”
“You.” Connor winks, then washes his hands and heads out. “Are you coming?”
I hug Dina. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, my friend. I’m sorry I’m such a pain in the ass. I am so honored you asked me.”
She squeezes me. Her body is soft and warm. “Aww, you are not a pain in the ass. I didn’t consider the crowds or the cameras and stuff. We’ll figure out the wedding thing. I would rather have you at my wedding than not.”
I kiss my baby and follow Connor outside.
The SUV with tinted windows idles in the driveway. Inside, Selnoa’s crime lord waits to take me to work. How did I get here in life?
The private valet opens the door for me, and I slide in, immediately folding my hands in my lap. They’re shaking.
I know he notices because I catch him glancing at my lap before driving away.
“I’ll fix the camera flashing at the wedding. I’ll adjust the crowds and your position.”
“Are you the wedding planner?” I joke.
“Yeah.” Anotherduhhe swallowed. “Who else would it be?”
An actual wedding planner.But I don’t say that. I shrug. “Didn’t know you planned weddings.”
“I plan events. A wedding is no different.”
“What kind of events?”
He side-eyes me.
I understand I’ve crossed the line. “I feel terrible about not saying yes to Dina immediately. I think she should just go with Chi-chi and let me sit it out.”
“Then tell her no.”
I sigh. “I can’t do that. She’s my best friend who’s done so much for me.” But I should tell her no, because it’s about my safety and that of my baby. Would we be safer in this city away from Crossbows? Is that true since I minded my own business the day Declan extracted Dina and Connor from the hospital?
Besides, Declan looked at me as if I murdered his kitten as I considered rejecting his fiancée’s request. He wouldn’t like me saying no to her. Not even a little bit. “I don’t want to inconvenience anyone or make personal requests.”
Connor scratches his head. “You keep bringing this up. Are you asking me for advice?”
“I’m looking to talk to someone about this.”
“There’s not much to talk about. The queen of the city wants you to be her princess at her wedding. Dina will have what she wants, and if she wants you, then she will have you.”
“That sounds like I have no choice in the matter.”
“It’s cute you think you ever did.”
There it is. The fact, I can’t refuse, and even if Dina said I could, the Crossbow twins will make sure she gets what she asked for. Since he removed the choice from me, the weight lifts off my chest. It’s a feeling so freeing that it worries me. I’m tired of making all the choices, and mostly, I made the wrong ones. In fact, Dina and I bonded over our shitty choices.
Connor is quiet for a while. “Where is the baby’s father?”
Somewhere at the bottom of the Mediterranean. “He’s deceased.”
“Were you married? Engaged?”
I shake my head. “Nah, we had an accident.”
“Why did you keep the baby?”
