Page 19 of Forbidden

After my command, I turned, heading back towards my office. I heard the scuffle of chairs and feet as my cousins followed.

“What?” Angelo was the first to speak as I rounded my desk.

“I’m not letting her get away.” I wouldn’t let her convince herself it had been a mistake. Let the guilt sway her decision.

I opened the bottom drawer, pulling out the jewelry box that had sat there for years. First in my office several floors down, and now, here. Why had I even brought it when I moved?

Because I knew. A part of me knew, even then, that it was meant for Grace. I opened the box, staring at the vintage setting. It was my grandmother’s on my father’s side. The band was white gold with emerald leaf details on either side of a yellow round diamond.

I didn’t believe in coincidence. What were the odds that I’d always considered Grace a beautiful flower trapped in weeds? That I called her a sunflower in my head for years. And the ring my grandmother had left me had a flower design.

It was meant to be. We were meant to be.

“Vander, Maybe—.” I cut Cole off with a glare so intense he visibly stepped back. He threw his hands up, seeing the resolve on my face. “Okay.”

“I can officiate.” I turned to Nathan, but his expression was blank, like that statement wasn’t strange.

“What?” Cole asked, shaking his head. Clearly, as confused as I was.

Our confusion did not affect Nathan. “I got certified.”

“Why?” Angelo scoffed.

“I was curious about god and how people found comfort in the idea of an all-knowing being.” His voice held the tone that told me he’d continue on forever if we didn’t stop him. “It’s interesting. Religion is found in man’s earliest text. I was researching—.”

“Will it be legal?” My body hummed with anticipation. Grace could be mine in a matter of hours.

“Yes. After you fill out paperwork and wait three days.”

Three days? It felt like a lifetime, but I’d already waited years. I could wait a little longer to have the woman of my dreams.

11

Grace

“This can’t be legal.” I tried again for what must have been the hundredth time in the past three days.

Vander ignored my statement as he grasped my hand. My palm was sweaty as he led me down the stairs. Someone had replaced the living room furniture with a floral archway. It framed the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the stars twinkled behind the glass. If I actually cared about the wedding, I would appreciate the way the city would be a beautiful backdrop as we took our vows.

“Nathan can’t do this.” My heart was beating out of my chest as we reached the bottom step.

When he said I’d marry him, I thought he was insane. Then we’d had sex, and I thought that was the end of it. Until he’d taken me shopping for a wedding dress. Had me tasting cakes and picking flowers. And suddenly, I was planning a wedding I didn’t want.

I didn’t know how to stop the roller coaster I was on. How to not marry him and still live. He had to be doing this to keep the family secrets.

The Kents prided themselves on being the hidden crime syndicate. Everyone knew the Vancinis and Gallos were criminals. Murderers and stay-at-home moms feared their names. Their rumors and truths were widespread.

But the Kents kept an air of respectability. They attended charity galas. Donated to hospitals. Owned hotels and businesses in Sayton City. If I opened my mouth, that would all be ruined.

I knew it was why he was forcing this marriage. And I was powerless to stop myself from being chained to another monster.

“He’s ordained.” Vander ran a soothing hand down my back, and much to my regret, it did still my racing heart. “We just need two witnesses.”

The anxiety hummed under my skin as I saw Angelo and Cole standing beside Nathan. Of course, their wives weren’t here because they’d put an end to this. At least, I hoped they would. I hoped I still had friends, and they all weren’t plotting against me.

Why would they? They’d been nothing but nice. And I hadn’t told anyone about what Mitchell did to me. I couldn’t risk it.

“Why don’t you wait to see if I’m pregnant?” I pleaded. “If I’m not, then you don’t need to marry me.”

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