Page 64 of Devil’s Promise

I’m in nothing but my shorts as I avert my gaze back down to the contract, reviewing section 18c one more time.

The Winthrop problem. The verbal promises I made were gray at best. There was nothing solid about them. But this…

Rock gets out of Gunner’s car, unfolding himself from the low-slung seat. He jerks his chin in greeting as he comes to stand near the trunk.

“Nervous?” he asks as he crosses his arms and leans on the open trunk.

“About getting married? No.” It’s actually the truth.

“Really?” Gunner asks. “You’re the guy who keeps his word and you’re making a lot of big promises today.”

I suppose that’s true. I hadn’t actually thought of it like that, but even considering it now, it doesn’t really bother me.

“I can’t believe another woman is going to hold the fucking Sinclair name.” Rock shakes his head. “Gigi was the last one to do so and look how that went. You’d think we would have learned the lesson from Vigo.”

I stare at my brother, his words pinging through my head.

Gunner grunts. “Had you not considered what you were agreeing to? Love. Honor. Cherish. That’s kind of hard to do when you plan on fucking killing her.”

My mouth presses into a straight line as I think of Promise’s words and my own. I said that I would act in my brothers’ best interest.

At the very least, I can buy the land from Don, sell it to Rush, and make enough money to pay Vigo’s debts and then start a legit company of our own.

It’s what I promised Don and it helps my brothers move forward. What happens to me…that is far more gray but whatever comes will be of my making, and I’ll take the consequences.

I look down at the contract and thumb to the final page, then scroll my signature across the line.

“Fuck you,” Gunner spits. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“You might not like it, but it’s the right choice,” I bark back. “And don’t worry about Promise. I’ll take care of my wife.”

“The fuck you will.” Gunner comes at me, but Rock gets in the middle, blocking him.

Knox gets out of his SUV. “That was quick.”

“Yeah,” I say, standing. “You drove over here for nothing. It’s done. I’ve signed.”

Gunner turns, cursing a streak as he stomps to his car and then gets in, screeching his tires as he pulls out of the garage.

“Looks like you’re giving me a ride home, Knox.” Rock shrugs before he turns toward me. “Think Promise can cut my hair and cover my tattoos? And I want a couple of the lessons she gave Axel and Gunner yesterday. Those moves seem like they’ll be money for picking up chicks.”

“It’s her fucking wedding day,” I say to my brother, but then I look at his hair. “Yeah. She’ll cut your hair at least.”

“Knox?” Rock asks.

“I’ve got a hairdresser on Fifth Avenue who charges five hundred for a trim. No one touches my hair but him.”

Rock grunts. “Prissy fuck.”

Knox punches Rock’s arm. “You’re just jealous that I’m famous enough to get mad pussy.”

“Come upstairs,” I grunt, taking the case with me. “There’s a lot to do today and we’d better get started.”

“Our brothers are dropping like flies,” Rock grunts in return. He doesn’t add whether he agrees with them or not.

I draw in a deep gulp of air. “This isn’t about me. I want what’s best for our family. The Sinclairs. That is all there is to say.”

“That’s enough for me,” Knox says. “Gunner’s just a little tweaked about Pollyanna types. He’ll get over it.”