Page 4 of Suit

I press a soft kiss to her pouty lips, finding myself wanting to melt into them. Instead, I pull away.

Cheers explode around us, but all I want to do is get out of here. Taking her hand, I lead her out to the waiting car. I notice that she doesn’t bother to look around for her family or to say goodbye to them. She looks straight ahead, not giving anything away.

Opening the door for her, she slides into the passenger seat. I know she’s probably used to sitting in the back seat and being driven around, but I get in the driver’s seat and turn on the engine.

“I thought I was marrying your sister,” I say as I drive away from the church, glancing over at Elena before bringing my eyes back to the road.

“I know,” she replies in her soft, calming voice, clearing her throat. “There was a last-minute change of plan.”

“Are you going to let me in on why that was?” I press, wondering why Simeon went back on his word.

“Katerina ran off and eloped.” She sighs, wrapping her arms around herself. “So it had to be me. Sorry to disappoint you.”

I don’t know what to say to that. If I’m being completely honest, I thought her sister might go a little wild in the clubhouse, and maybe even learn to enjoy the freedom of our lifestyle. The two of us could have found what worked for us. Blade did some research on her, and Katerina definitely liked to sneak around, party, and fuck around with different men. We didn’t bother looking into Elena because we didn’t fucking think she’d be here right now sitting next to me.

I want to ask her how she feels about the marriage, but it’s a little too late for all that now.

We’re married.

She is my wife.

“We’re just going to have to make it work,” I mutter to myself.

Don’t ask me how. She’s a good girl. Too good. The shit she sees at the clubhouse is going to send her running.

Elena wrings her hands and stares out the window. Whoever came up with arranged marriages needs to be shot.

She doesn’t want me here any more than I do. She didn’t have a choice either.

“I’m building a house for you, but until it’s ready, you will have to stay at the clubhouse,” I say, trying to make conversation. “You’ll be safe there.”

“Who lives at the clubhouse?” she asks.

“Mostly everyone, but a few brothers and their families have their own homes on our property,” I explain.

She smooths down her dress and nods. “Okay.”

The rest of the drive to the clubhouse is in silence.

I normally love silence.

But right now?

I’d rather be anywhere else.

ELENA

Suit does not want me, and trust me, after overhearing what he said about me, I don’t want him either. But when Katerina ran off and eloped with some mafia guy, my father had to send me in to pick up the pieces.

As usual.

Suit is handsome, and he smells so good that I want to bury my face in his chest. I know we have to consummate the marriage tonight. My mother explained to me everything that will happen, not that I don’t know about sex, because I do. I’m a romance reader, but tonight will be my first time. My father said that my being a virgin will make up for Katerina not being here.

But going by Suit’s reaction, I’m not sure if that is even true. Am I even meant to call him Suit? That’s what my father calls him, but during the vows, I learned his name is Matteo.

As we drive through the clubhouse gates, I can’t help but wonder what kind of life I will have here. Although I didn’t want this marriage, mostly because of what Suit said about me, I have to admit it feels like a bit of a terrifying adventure. My entire life was controlled, and I wasn’t allowed outside without my two bodyguards. Even then, my father often said ‘no’ more than ‘yes.’ He preferred us to stay home in our bedrooms unless it was a family event where we had to show our faces, or he needed my help with his bookkeeping.

I’m being pushed out of my comfort zone, and I can only hope that in my new life, I’m treated more like a person than a possession.