Page 29 of Married to the Devil

He turns to leave. “It doesn’t matter.”

“You’re with him, aren’t you? You’re related to Rafe.”

He glances back and seems genuinely interested for the first time since he brutally saved my life. “My name’s Cassian. Come on, he’s waiting.”

I slip the shoes on.

Again, a perfect fit. How did he know?

This is like a dream.

Except worse, because I built it.

Allegedly for some mysterious couple—who didn’t want to be seen, spoken to, or thought about.

Now all those odd little quirks we ignored because the money was so good seem damn ominous.

I hurry to keep up as Cassian storms into the hall, heading down to where the ceremony is supposed to take place tomorrow morning. I have to hold my dress so it doesn’t drag on the floor.

“Are you his cousin?” I ask when I catch up. I can’t help myself. Questions bubble out when I get nervous. “How many people are here? Who’s waiting for us?”

Cassian glares straight ahead and ignores me.

“Hattie’s safe, right? Who was that breaking into our house? Why were you waiting?”

“I don’t know what the hell he sees in you,” Cassian grumbles as we reach the main door to the massive library. Normally, it’s a basic and dour space, but I spent a lot of time and effort to get it ready. Cassian turns to face me. “Don’t fuck this up for him. Do you understand me? Rafe does nothing for himself, ever, and I won’t have you making a mess of his damn wedding.”

“But I don’t… I’m not…” I look down at myself. The horror of my situation slowly unfolding. “You can’t be serious?”

“If Rafe were standing with you right now, he’d give you an option.” Cassian leans in, voice lowering. “I’m not my brother. You will walk down the aisle. You will stand across from him and speak the vows. If you don’t, you will die. Not by my hand, nor by anyone in this room, but I swear it now, nobody will step in when they finally come. You have no options. You have no alternatives. You will wear my brother’s ring and play his bride. Beyond that—“ Cassian straightens and flings open the doors. “I don’t give a fuck.”

The wedding march starts as cold terror filters down my exposed back.

This can’t be happening.

No, no, no, please, no, God, no⁠—

The library is gorgeous. Fairy lights hang wrapped around creme and silver streamers. Flowers are strewn over every surface. It looks like a wonderland in here, like a beautiful, serene, magical meadow was transported into this old clumsy space.

People stand and stare at me. I don’t recognize most of them. There are maybe a dozen, far less than we had planned for, spaced out across the folding chairs. The effect is strange and bewildering. Cassian takes my arm, gripping it tightly, and starts walking forward⁠—

I follow.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

Everyone’s staring. I look around desperately, hoping someone might step in to save me. Surely they know I don’t want this? Someone’s got to realize I’m being kidnapped and forced into a marriage.

They don’t move a muscle, and I’m drifting to the edge of pure, animal panic, when I see her.

Standing toward the front beside a tall, beautiful woman, is my little girl, Hattie.

She’s smiling.

My god, she’s okay. I let out a strangled sob and only bite back full-on tears at a glance from Cassian. Hattie’s waving at me and grinning, clapping and bouncing, like this is some kind of game.

The woman bends to whisper something. Hattie comes running out into the aisle and flings herself at me. I drop to my knees and take her into my arms, hugging her tight.

“Are you okay, baby?”