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CHAPTER 21
BELLE
Killian leans down and captures my lips with his. I can't even focus with his mouth on mine. My body just feels cold, my mind coming to a complete halt as shock takes hold of me. I'm married. I just got married. He touches my face gently causing me to snap out of the weird trance I went into.
"I regret that we can't share more tonight, but I will see you Saturday," he murmurs as he pulls away.
"Saturday?" I ask, blinking as I try to understand what he means.
"That's when the wives are allowed to visit." He gives me a small smile.
"Wives?" I ask. I mentally shake myself. That's me now. I'm a wife. "Oh, okay. I'll be here Saturday."
"E-Z, take her to my house and see to the security yourself."
"Your house?" I ask, tilting my head.
"Yes, my house. We're married now. You'll be living there." My eyes go wide, but there's nothing I can say to that. Our marriage is supposed to look legitimate. So, I remain quiet. It's not like arguing will do a whole lot of good anyway.
I follow E-Z out, climbing into the SUV, my mind racing. I buckle myself in without realizing it. I stare down at my hands in my lap. I look at my hand and realize there’s no ring. I just got married to a man I don’t know—a man who I know has killed people. Heck, he’s in jail for killing someone! Sure, it’s people he didn’t kill, but he has blood on his hands just the same. My vision goes blurry, and I don’t think I even realize that I have tears falling from my eyes.
"Are you okay?" E-Z asks hesitantly.
"What just happened?" I ask quietly, still looking at my hands.
"You just married Killian O'Leary," he says as I snap my attention to him.
"I don’t have a wedding ring," I squeak out. In my head, I’m wondering if this wasn’t all for show. I mean, this might not be legal and just a way to help Killian with his plan to fool the parole board. I mean, I’m sure that could be done. Surely there’s no way that I went into a state prison thinking Killian would kill me, and instead, I come out as his wife. It can’t be real.
"I know what you're thinking. Killian is a good guy, probably the best man I've ever met." He’s trying to reassure me, but I just stare at him.
"I think you're a bit biased," I mumble. E-Z works for him, and he's also his friend, so of course, he says he's a good guy.
E-Z doesn't respond. It's a relief I don't need to keep up the conversation. Good men don't kill other men. Are there any good men in the world anymore?
It doesn't seem like they are in mine, anyway. I lean my head on the cool glass of the window still processing everything while losing track of time. I have no idea how long we are driving. Something about a long drive organizes my thoughts and calms me, however.
Whatever just happened, I’ll get through it. I’ll make the best of it and survive. It’s not like I have much of a choice.
When we arrive at Killian's house, it's bigger than I imagined. I mean, he’s a bachelor. This house is more like a mansion. It feels weird to be at a home without the owner here. I don't even think I've ever stepped foot in a house this nice. Walking in, I eye the boxes of stuff in the living room. It's my clothes and personal items.
"What's going on?" I ask, pointing to the boxes. I knew Killian was determined that I live in his house, but I didn’t expect him to have his employees pack my life into a few measly boxes.
"That's all your stuff. The rest was just crap. If there's something you don't like here, you can replace it."
I look around, getting brave enough to venture into the kitchen, just trying to take it all in. It's all done up in black and white with pops of red. The kitchen looks like something out of a chef’s magazine with all the shiny, stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and pristine floors. Everything looks brand new with no personal touches anywhere. It's beautiful and yet cold, which is almost fitting for Killian. Can I say that I hate all of it? It's so fancy and professionally done but impersonal.
This will be where I am for at least a year. I might as well make it my home too. If Killian hates anything I do, he can change it when he gets out. I’m sure he could hire another interior designer.
“We'll be married forever.” Killian's voice echoes in my head.
I laugh out loud, getting a weird look from E-Z. I don’t care. I just realized that Killian had to be playing with me. He clearly didn't mean it. He was covering with the priest.
