“I’m living in a weird universe,” I announce.
“Your dress!” Selene rushes to it and caresses the skirt.
“The psycho is the one who bought it. It was here waiting for me last night, but too bad for him, I’m already dressed.” I gesture at my clothes. Eden gives Selene a worried glance. “My hair’s done too.”
“Girl,” Selene says while she fingers my tangled mane. “You look a hot mess.”
“Get this,” I whisper. “The man is not only crazy, but dumb. I told him I wasn’t signing a pre-nup, and that I wanted access to his bank accounts. He agreed to both with no pushback. Selene, as soon as we say I do, I’m going to buy you a new car and pay off your mortgage.”
“Oh, fuck, yeah,” Selene says. We high-five. “I have my eyes on this new bedroom set and—”
“You can have whatever you want. Eden, I’d hook you up, too, but your husband has you covered.”
“This little arrangement would have come in handy last year when I was broke and in debt,” Eden says.
“We’re going to the spa every week on me. I’m not giving Armstrong any notice. I’m going to text him on Monday and tell him I quit. Then, this dumb ass is going to pay for me to start my business. And I don’t mean he’s going to invest. I’m just going to funnel his money into my business until it starts making money. I’m not fighting this, but I’m going to make him regret the day he ever put this into motion.”
“How did he plan a wedding so fast?” Selene asks. “He invited the entire town. Everyone is talking about it.”
“I think he’s been planning this all along,” Eden says. “Since before he kidnapped you.”
“I think you’re right. I got played.”
“So, play him back,” Selene says. “Put on that dress, do your hair and makeup, and be the most gorgeous bride on earth. Get married, and put on the performance of a lifetime. Be the beautiful, blushing bride. Dance with him. Dance close and get him all riled up. Tease him and don’t fuck him tonight.”
Chapter 30
Dax
“From this moment on, you will never know peace.” Not the words a groom expects to hear from his bride after the minister declares them husband and wife, but that’s what mine whispers in my ear.
To the onlookers, it probably looks like a bride hugging her new husband, but it’s a promise. Not to love, honor, and cherish, but to make my life miserable. Unfortunately for her, I never back down from a challenge.
She was an hour late to the ceremony, but that was worth the wait. The wedding planner and I did everything, and I paid her enough that she didn't ask questions. Questions such as, "Where is the bride?" and "When could they meet so she could get her vision?"
It was my vision, and I was not disappointed. I started planning it before I took her off the street. I knew I wanted her before our lips ever touched.
When I told her that she touched me so I was hers, I meant it. She sealed our fates that day. All I had to do was put my plan into motion, and her thieving brother and sleazy father helped to make this happen.
I almost fell over when my bride came into view in a dress that only she could wear. It’s a mix of modern and vintage. She’s perfection.
If she was surprised that almost everyone in town was invited, she didn’t show it. Practically the entire town showed up to see my beautiful bride walk down the aisle to me.
She walked herself, and when she announced it to her father at the engagement party, I warned him not to be a bitch about it. My little bride likes to dole out punishments, and this is the one she chose to deliver to her father. I can only imagine what she has in store for me.
It only took a monetary donation to Reverend Wilde to agree to officiate. His only request was that the donation be in cash.
The ceremony was brief, and when Wilde asked us to join hands, I felt a rush of electricity course through my body.
The vows were simple, traditional. She repeated hers, and I know she was only going through the motions, but when we were declared husband and wife, I kissed her with all the passion I had. She kissed me back.
“A word, Dax,” Rip says. My bride is on the other side of the room, sipping a cocktail and ignoring me. That’s what she does, unless my mother or sister is around, then she plays the part of the doting bride.
I gesture for Ripley to follow me from the large tent and into the house.
The caterers and guests are milling about, so I take him into my office.
Rip does not seem happy, so I wait to hear what he has to say.
