Page 32 of Married to the Devil

Rafe leads me to the car. We’re about to get in when an older man comes hurrying toward us from the venue, smiling broadly. Rafe curses under his breath but turns to meet him.

“Ignazio,” Rafe says, tone neutral, bordering on unhappy.

“Congratulations, Don Corvino.” Ignazio hugs Rafe tightly and kisses both his cheeks. He’s in his late sixties, balding, heavy-set, with a wide and charming face. His suit is well cut though and his shoes gleam. “We’re all so proud of what you’ve become.”

“Thank you, Ignazio.”

“Can I meet the bride?” He peers at me curiously. “Hello, dear, it’s nice to make your acquaintance.”

I say nothing as Rafe steers him away. They share quiet words before Rafe ushers the old man back into the building.

“Who was that?” I ask as I climb into the back of the car.

“My accountant.” He follows, hemming me against the far window, and the door slams shut.

“Wait, what about Hattie?”

“They’ll follow.”

“No, wait⁠—“

“Enough.” Rafe’s hand lands on my mouth. He covers it as the car pulls forward. The driver raises the divider between us, sealing me into my coffin. Rafe’s breathing hard, pinning me down. There’s a feral gleam in his eye. “You will listen now.”

I nod, too afraid to fight back.

He moves his palm from my lips, but doesn’t lean away.

“I never wanted this.” He says it like the words hurt, but he’s not softening at all. There’s only rage in his expression. “But it’s happening. You and Hattie were safe for a long time, but that’s over now. This is how I protect you. This is how I keep you safe. We have a long drive to my house, wife of mine, and I will not spend it answering your questions. Do you understand?”

“Not at all.”

“It doesn’t matter.” He forces himself back into his place. “Put on your seatbelt.”

“Hattie—“

“I will cut my own throat before my daughter is harmed.”

“She is not your daughter.” I bite out the words. Anger simmers, battling the terror. “And I’m not your wife.”

He looks out the window, ignoring me now. “We’ll see.” And lapses into silence. I open my mouth to scream, to fight, to do anything at all, but nothing comes out.

I’m exhausted, afraid, and confused. I still don’t fully comprehend how this is happening. It can’t be legal, right? That priest, what we did? This ring?

This dress?

Nothing makes sense.

But some things are true.

There’s a corpse in my house.

And I planned my own wedding.

Now I’m trapped with a monster and I don’t know how I’ll survive him.

10

RAFE