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"But not your only one?"
"Bexley, you're going to make a great leader one day. You'll be a part of making this town great again, I have no doubt. But for now, you need to play the game. There is an end, and we all just need to pray that it comes sooner rather than later."
"For Mia's sake?"
He releases a heavy sigh, a dark look crossing his expression. "For everyone's sake. Enjoy the rest of your night." He nods at me and has disappeared back through the door before I've even registered that he’s gone.
What the hell was that?
Locking myself in one of the stalls, I drop down onto the toilet and lower my head into my hands, replaying the entire conversation over in my head.
So he knows about Mia and me, and he knows we've been digging.
Why do I get the suspicion that he knows just as much as Q and James?
If not more.
Has his entire life been a lie, a cover-up for his true part in Q? And should we have been looking closer to home for the answers this whole time?
My cell burns a hole in my pocket. I desperately want to call Mia and tell her, but I can't. She's spending the night with Annabel. The last thing I want to do is ruin it… more than I'm sure it already is, knowing who I'm spending mine with.
26
Mia
“Oh, that one is stunning,” Mom says as I emerge from behind the velvet curtain. “Isn’t it beautiful, Annabel?”
“It’s something, Mrs. Thompson.”
“Oh, please, I’ve told you time and time again, call me Temperance.”
“Sorry, Mrs. Thom—Temperance.”
“How do you feel, sweetheart?”
“It doesn’t scratch like the last one. But isn’t it a little too… much?” The dress is a simple sweetheart neckline, but the back plunges to the bottom of my spine. Virginal from the front and sexy from behind. It would be ironic if it weren’t for the fact that we’re choosing a dress for me to wear for my union to the devil himself.
I suppress a shudder.
“Mia, darling?”
“I like this one.” I admit defeat. If I don’t pick one soon, she’ll insist I try on another six, and I can’t bear the thought of it. At least this one doesn’t suggest I’m going to be his sweet little submissive fiancée.
Although knowing Cade, it will only encourage his wandering hands. I suppress another shudder. The thought of him anywhere near me makes my stomach churn. Especially after the other day in the mausoleum.
Inhaling a deep breath, I steel my spine and face myself in the mirror. I look beautiful. I look like a bride getting ready for her big day. My hair is braided in a crown around my head, tendrils spilling around my face. Mom insisted I try the dresses complete with shoes, so I’m at least four inches taller.
Annabel is right: the dress really is something.
But I feel nothing but dread wrapped in silk and lace.
“Are you sure? It’s a big decision. Your Coglio is one of the most important events in your life. Except, of course, your wedding.”
“Mom,” I hiss.
“I know you’re nervous, sweetheart. But this is a huge honor. I get chills every time I think about my little girl marrying a Kingsley. It really is something—”
“Why don’t we go and look at jewelry, Temperance, and give Mia a second to collect her thoughts.” Annabel shoots me a sympathetic smile.
