“It’s non-negotiable, Asha. I don’t want the rest of our lives together to be argumentative but I mean it when I say I won’t try to change what you have going on.”
“But you’re lying.”
“What?”
Her arms went across her chest as she rubbed her fingers together anxiously. “You’re lying. You have already changed so much of what I have going on. You said this was going to be something that we would do together but you don’t even ask, you dictate. Again. I’m not interested in having an overseer.”
I bristled at the way she described my behavior and she knew exactly what to say to stoke my anger.
“Asha, would you accompany me to one of my oldest friend’s weddings? It will be a good opportunity for you to meet my extended family and see the type of environment you will be a part of for years to come. Since Nevaeh will be in attendance because Midas is the best man, you won’t be alone.”
“Where will you be?”
“I didn’t think you’d view me as an ally in this situation.”
She pressed her lips together fighting her smile and I appreciated the way her face relaxed at my teasing. It was meant to be taken lightheartedly but I for damn sure meant every word. Half the time I was waiting for her to bite my head off and the other I wanted to beg her to soak the rungs of my ladder.
“Well, you promised I’d always be safe with you. I guess this is one of your first tests.”
I nodded thoughtfully keeping the truth of how her life had changed off my face. She’d had someone on her since the paperwork was signed and I knew I had plenty of people lurking who wanted to get at her. They wouldn’t strike at Xerxes’ wedding unless they had a death wish but I was sure they’d come. Hell, I’d sent Vega to Charlotte as a favor to me to test Vanya. We’d made up some bullshit about needing information about Xerxes to see if Vanya would fold. She’d done exactly what she needed to: keep her mouth closed and protect the family. I knew the time would come for Asha to do the same.
I helped her mount up on her horse but she had her eyes trained on me, wanting some type of reassurance. The intense trepidation made me want to give it to her.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. I wouldn’t be marrying you if I didn’t think you could handle this.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She’d rolled her eyes but the smile on her face told me I’d calmed her down. The tree branches swayed over her head the blossoms and the look on her face creating a beautiful picture.
I patted her leg before swinging up onto the back of the horse I’d been riding. It was uncomfortable as hell since my dick was still hard but I had to make it work.
“Come on, I know I just ate but you came out here to ride so let’s finish what you started.”
NEW FRIENDS AND FAMILY
ASHA
“This doesn’t seem like your type of thing.”
I wasn’t sure why I’d gone up to her. No, that wasn’t true. She seemed as detached from a lot of this as I did. When I arrived at this wedding celebration I was told that I had a place of honor in this wedding party. It was purely by default but apparently Ori had left out these details on purpose. The other women were there for support but they had young children or were heavily pregnant, which prevented them from doing as much. I had no issue with being able to fill in the role but it was weird to be thrown in on the spot. My new co-bridesmaid was someone who seemed just as out of place as I did. Which wasn’t saying a lot, because the bride herself had little by way of family and her only close friend was another wife here by the name of Francesca Merrick.
She glanced around somewhat uneasily before her storm-gray eyes met my eye confidently. “I don’t know what my type of thing is just yet.” Her southern drawl differed from Nev's and Teegan's. It was deeper with a slower cadence.
I stood next to her and observed the festivities the same way she’d done before I interrupted. Nev had been dragged to the dance floor by her husband, leaving me forced to mingle with someone else besides her. This was my attempt at doing so.
“That sounds… ominous. Is that a way of drawing me in or telling me to keep away from the landmine?”
A ghost of a smile lifted the cheeks in her round face as she looked at me again. “You’re much friendlier than I initially thought you’d be.”
Not how I would normally want someone to classify me but today it fit. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“That’s fine. I guess I meant it that way.”
I smiled at her feeling that she was guarded the same way I was. A kindred spirit of sorts. “You’re funny.”
The wedding continued around us its opulence not lost on me. I wondered if this was the type of expenditure that Ori would go to but I had no desire to waste resources on a wedding.
“Glad I’m not ruining this first day out.” Her muttered retort drew my eyes back to her, the response at odds with the compliment I’d provided.
“Where have you escaped from?”
