Page 106 of Bound

He leaves before I can correct him.

The florist waits until the door closes. “Is he always…”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t finish.”

“Whatever you were going to say, yes,” I laugh. “He’s always this Lucian.”

Cass rolls in from the adjoining room wearing a hot pink dress. Her hair is pinned up.

She sees me in the dress and immediately starts crying.

“Stop.” My command comes out as a whisper.

“I can’t.”

“We haven’t even gotten to the ceremony yet.”

She wipes her face. “You look like Mom. She was so pretty.”

The words hit me.

I don’t have an answer. Cass reaches for my hand.

For a moment, we are not in a billionaire’s bridal suite.

We are two sisters who survived.

Ryan knocks once and enters before anyone answers.

His little black suit jacket is slightly crooked.

His tie is worse.

“You look fancy,” he tells me.

“Thank you?” I laugh.

He comes closer. “Uncle Lucian said I have an important job.” He pulls a tiny black box from his pocket.

My wedding band. “Don’t lose it,” I say.

His eyes widen. “I won’t.”

Cass laughs. “Maybe don’t scare the ring bearer.”

“I am preparing him for responsibility.”

Ryan stands straighter. “I can do it.”

“I know you can.” I bend and kiss his forehead.

A knock comes from the open doorway.

Gregory.

He is in a black tuxedo.