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CHAPTER16
Sariah
I’ve traded one insanity for another. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, I prayed to every god I could think of for Luke to save me. Now he’s offering an olive branch, a life raft to a drowning woman, and I hesitate to take it. This is exactly what I wanted. Luke and me, together. But this isn’t just riding off into the sunset and seeing where things go. This is a commitment, one that can’t be undone once it’s made.
That scares me.
But what is the alternative? Marry Jeremiah and do what Declan demanded of me? Or have an opportunity to choose my own path? At least I like Luke. There are feelings there, for sure. When he touches me, I ignite. When Jeremiah laid his hands on me, I felt sick. But marriage is such a big step. Knowing he’s a Fraser changes everything. The Fraser family has a reputation that even I’m aware of. Declan sheltered me from a lot, but he couldn’t keep me in the dark from everything. I heard things growing up, so I know about the families who rule the London criminal underbelly. I know Declan was scared of them.
Of their reach.
Of the things they were rumoured to have done.
If I’d have known who Luke was when I met him, I would have run the other way. I don’t even want to think about what he would have done to me if he knew my true identity.
Luke leads me over to the front of the church and takes my hands in his. “This has to be quick.”
There is a hint of apology in his voice, as if he wishes he could give me better.
“We could wait and get to know each other better.”
“If you remain unmarried, there is a risk your father will get you back and hand you over to Wood. Are you willing to take that chance?”
No, I’m not. The last thing I want is that man near me. I have no doubt my father would drag me back and force me in front of that altar to marry the Butcher of Manchester. If he survived his shooting, anyway. The last I saw he was bleeding heavily from the shoulder.
I peer up into Luke’s eyes. “Let’s do this.”
He glances over my head towards the older blonde lady. “We’re ready.”
Luke keeps his eyes locked on me throughout the ceremony. The priest seems nervous as he says the words of the ceremony. I can’t even believe I’m doing this. It seems like a surreal dream, but part of it also seems right. Luke is correct when he says this is the only way to protect me. I can’t be married again once already wed. Whatever plans Declan will have for me, at least he can’t sell me to a man twice my age.
I have to hope Luke will protect me from the worst of Declan’s wrath.
Luke slips a wedding ring onto my finger. It’s too big, but it’s beautiful, rose gold inlaid with diamonds. It makes me wonder how long they’ve been planning to snatch me for. They are prepared.
The priest gets to the “I do” part, and Luke gives his agreement easily.
The words feel foreign as I say them myself. “I do.”
“You may now kiss the bride.” The priest steps back, closing his Bible.
Luke’s eyes are hungry as he takes me in. I’ve never been wanted before I met him, and I like how it makes me feel. “Hello, Mrs Fraser.”
Sariah Fraser.
It doesn’t feel as odd as I expect. He dips his head and takes my mouth. The kiss is tender and filled with warmth that heats my whole body. His hand snakes around my waist, pulling me closer as his fingers tighten against my hips. My pulse thunders in my chest as his masculine scent envelops me. This is so unlike all the other kisses we’ve shared. There is so much promise in it. It steals my breath and leaves me gasping for air when he finally releases my lips.
The blonde lady hands me a pen. “Sign here.” She points to a dotted line on a document laid out on the altar behind the priest.
I glance at Luke, not sure what it is I’m signing.
“It’s the wedding register,” he explains. “We both have to sign it to make the wedding legal.”
I don’t hesitate. I take the pen she offers and I sign my name. Luke takes the pen from me, his eyes filled with so much warmth. He signs too before taking my hands back in his as the blonde lady and the older man also sign. I can tell he is bursting to talk to me and I can’t wait to be alone with him.
“Time to get gone,” the blonde lady says as she puts the pen down. She scares me. She has a look in her eye that tells me she’s constantly planning. “Easton won’t wait long before retaliating. Let him know that his daughter is safely married into a family now.”
“He’s not going to take this lying down,” I say. “Declan doesn’t like anyone playing the game but him.”
