Page 50 of Ruin Me Sweetly

I tugged at my collar as she tried to stare directly into my soul.

Before I could say another word, I spotted Zach and Amber slipping out of a private doorway. They paused just long enough for Amber to adjust her dress, Zach reaching out to smooth her hair back into place.

That piece of shit. He was going to be a bad influence on my poppet.

“Hello,” Rhea said, waving a hand in front of my face. “Earth to Mars.”

I blinked and focused back on her.

“She might try to crash the wedding. I just need you to stay vigilant. I’ll have people stationed around and inside the church, but you’ll be the closest to her tomorrow.”

She began to chuckle, nodding slightly, as if bobbing to some beat only she could hear.

“Oh, yeaaah. I’m gonna be ready for that action.”

Oh, shit. Now I wasn’t entirely sure who I should be more worried about.

Actually, that might work out rather well. The Jezebel was after my wife and child.

“Thank you, Rhea,” I said, grinning as I thought of the ensuing chaos.

It would only cost a few minutes of our ceremony.

Well worth it, to finally be rid of her.

“No one fucks with my friend except for me,” she growled. “That goes for you too.”

My grin dimmed, and I raised my hands.

Sometimes it was just best to concede a strategic retreat.

❧ ❧ ❧

I inspected Callum and Zach. They both wore similar navy suits to mine, though my tie and pocket square carried a touch of gold woven through the design.

“Are you nervous?” Callum asked, fixing his cufflinks.

“Not at all,” I drawled.

I was more than ready to be married, ready to finally tie Bella to me for good.

Zach pursed his lips, as if holding back some boomer insult.

“Spit it out, son. Now’s the time.”

“Just don’t make me come after you, old man,” he said, his voice cold, surprisingly restrained for him.

Callum chuckled.

“Damn. Do you remember being that young and full of spunk?”

“We’re family for life now, Zach. Come here,” I said, turning from the mirror and closing the distance before he could dodge.

He tried to shove me off, but I locked my arms around him and hauled him into a full hug, lifting him clean off his feet. He was heavier than he looked. He grunted, his arms locking around my back on reflex, and the second his feet touched the ground again, he hooked an arm beneath mine and tried to flip me.

I let go of his back and grabbed his neck instead, hauling him into a loose headlock until he conceded, releasing my waist with a muttered curse.

“This isn’t over,” he said, flicking his golden mop back into place like a diva.