Page 32

Is he Soren?

He strides up to me with a cavalier smile and an outstretched hand. The word on his throat is Willa. The ink appears raised like it covers a scar. “Micah. Willa’s favorite husband.”

“Favorite husband?” I’m not sure what is going on. I look to Riot for answers as I allow Micah to shake my hand.

Riot’s hair flops in his face when he responds by shaking his head.

“Don’t confuse her, Micah.” Willa rolls her almond shaped eyes at him, but it’s tempered with affection.

He puts his arm around her. Nuzzles his face against her neck. Whispers something that sounds a lot like, “Yes, my Queen.”

Interesting.

“So... girls’ night.” Dizzy brings the conversation back on track. “You. Me. Willa. Let’s get you ready to go out.”

“Uh. I don’t know.” Marco is still out there somewhere. And my bruises, while less painful and covered by thick makeup, are still a very present reminder.

“Tell me you’re in. We came all this way.” Dizzy pouts. “When Riot told us what you’ve been through... we had to come. Plus, this is Vegas, baby! You’re supposed to get into mischief here.”

“This is your doing?” I glance at the man I have avoided the last forty-eight hours or so.

“You’ll take Rook,” Riot says. Not an order, a statement. He’s going to make sure I’m protected. “And you will not leave his sight.”

That was definitely an order. It softens me. Not a lot—my first reaction is to go against orders from jerk-wad ass-faces—just enough for me to really consider joining Dizzy and Willa.

The idea of getting away from everything. The tension between Riot and Kodiak. Sonatina’s constant snide comments and bullying. The way the guys keep looking at me like lost fucking puppies. There is only so much I can take. “I’m in.”

“What have you got to wear?” Dizzy bounces on her toes. Claps her hands. “Something terribly skimpy, I hope.”

“Does she own anything that isn’t slutty?” Sonatina glides into the room like she owns the place. Her assistant trails behind her, looking like she would much prefer to go jump off a bridge than to be here.

Why the hell doesn’t she just quit? There must be better gigs than this one. And I’ve watched her all week. She’s good at what she does for Sonatina, who basically doesn’t do anything herself and puts it all on her assistant.

She doesn’t linger, disappearing deeper into the suite.

“Everything about her is slutty.” Her nose in the air, Sonatina snakes her arms around Riot and kisses his cheek. “Baby, who are these people?”

“Just my friends.” He looks so uncomfortable when he tries to shake her off and she digs her claws in deeper.

“I get to meet your friends.” She flutters her lashes at him. “Finally.”

Dizzy’s eyes narrow on the way Sonatina holds onto Riot. There’s a subtle shift in her that seems to make the whole room colder. “I’m his sister-in-law.”

“Wow. Sorry, I didn’t recognize you.” Sonatina steps forward. “I met you at the wedding, right? I can’t believe we’re going to be family.”

Dizzy is still and quiet. She stares Riot dead in the eyes. “I can’t believe it either. In fact... none of us can.”

“I know... it was such a surprise when he dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him.” Sonatina swoons.

It’s hard to tell if she’s acting or for real sometimes. It’s almost as if she truly believes that’s what happened. Can she really be that good of an actor?

“Isn’t it so romantic? I can’t wait to start planning our wedding,” Sonatina continues, oblivious to Dizzy’s growing mood shift.

I can practically hear a ticking as her patience runs out.

“We should totally set up a lunch date. I’d love your input.” Sonatina—that fake ass, delusional bitch—keeps going. “You can tell me more about the family so I can plan the perfect event.”

Dizzy grins. “Sure. I’d love to show you the kind of stuff I love to do.”