Page 76 of Hextreme Measures

Sully chuckled. He couldn’t help himself. He took another bite of his dessert and considered his options. Ultimately, he sighed and nodded. “Let’s watch Sinners. Then we’re doing what I want to do, though.”

“And what’s that?” Ofelia batted her eyelashes, the picture of innocence. “It sounds as if you have designs on my virtue.”

Sully chuckled. “I have designs on your everything.”

Because there was so much naked emotion in his eyes, Ofelia could do nothing but snuggle closer and rest her head against his chest. “We’re going to be happy,” she said in her softest voice.

“Oh, baby, we already are,” he assured.

“Yeah.” She took another bite of her dessert without lifting her head, not caring that she’d gotten syrup on his chest. “I can’t believe we only have one day left together before we get married. It seems so … surreal.”

“I was thinking about that.” He scooted lower in the bed, keeping her close to him. “How would you feel if we had food delivered three times and never left bed tomorrow?”

“Do you really have to ask that question?”

“I really want to hear the answer.”

She grinned, understanding the game he was playing. “Well, let’s just say I like that idea so much that if you hadn’t already asked me to marry you, I would say yes just on principle.”

He chuckled. “Let’s make a pact. One weekend a month, for the entirety of our marriage, we’re going to spend it in bed.”

“I like that idea. There’s just one problem.”

“And what’s that?”

“When we have kids, I don’t think they’re going to be quiet, so we can hide ourselves away in bed for a full 48 hours.”

“Ah, but that’s why they have grandparents.”

Ofelia cocked her head, considering. “Good point.”

19

NINETEEN

Ofelia woke on her wedding day, alone, bright-eyed and excited for what was to come. Even though Sully had argued about spending the night before their wedding apart — he thought such ideas were antiquated — he’d ultimately given in and returned to his old condo to spend the night with Ben. That meant Angelique spent the night at the penthouse above Krewe with Ofelia.

Surprisingly, Ofelia had managed to put the fate of the other banshees out of her head. As much as she didn’t want that to be the outcome for them, she recognized she had no choice. That old Star Trek saying about the good of the many outweighing the good of the one had stuck around for a reason. It was true.

Angelique had wanted to hang around downstairs at Krewe the entire night. Ofelia had indulged in two drinks and then cut herself off. Angelique had begged for more, but she’d grudgingly followed her friend upstairs when Ofelia shot her down. It was Ofelia’s big day after all.

The morning of the wedding meant hours of pampering. Since the wedding wasn’t happening until after sunset, they had plenty of time to indulge in massages, pedicures, and facials. Madeline, Marie, Amelia, and Sully’s other sister, Charlotte, had invited themselves along for the trip. Ofelia had expected the two older women to be obnoxious. Both of them were on their best behavior, though. Obviously, Sully’s warning had hit home.

Angelique did Ofelia’s hair, putting it up in a fancy bun and sticking flowers in it to make it look magically pretty, and when it was time to jump into her dress — which was not white but still breathtaking — Ofelia had never felt more prepared for anything in her life.

Sully would meet her at Jackson Square. They’d gotten approval to have their wedding in the locked park after hours — Ofelia was still marveling at how Sully had managed that — so everything was already set up with the caterers and wedding organizer. All Ofelia had to do was show up in her dress.

“There’s a limo out there,” Angelique said from her spot at the window. Her dress was a beautiful grayish lavender color that offset her coloring. “I’m guessing they’re here for you.”

Ofelia looked over at her friend, then gave herself one more look in the mirror. “That means it’s time.”

“Yup.” Angelique beamed at her before gathering the bouquets from the counter. They’d been delivered only an hour before. “Are you ready?”

“I’ve never been more ready for anything,” Ofelia replied, giggling at how emotional saying it made her feel. When the knock at the door came, she headed in that direction automatically. “I didn’t think the driver would come up,” she said to Angelique.

The siren merely shrugged. She had a scar on her arm so she would always remember the banshee attack. Otherwise, she was completely back to normal. Nobody would have been able to figure out that she’d almost lost everything only days before. Ofelia could see the signs, but she knew Angelique better than almost anybody, with the possible exception of Ben. She would watch her friend closely in case the trauma resurfaced.

For now, however, Angelique was ready for a party.