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As a kid, the differences used to get me wound up because I wanted to be just like my best friend, but now I revel in it. I love that I’m the dark shadow that will swallow her light whole. This time she won’t be able to run from me, not after I put the ring on her finger that will bind us together until the grave.
Annie whips out her phone and I watch her without her knowledge as her thumbs fly furiously over the keyboard. My guess is she’s texting one of her vapid friends to have some support in the injustice of her charmed life. I roll my eyes. What a spoiled little bitch.
I stopped thinking about marrying her years ago, crushing that little fantasy before it could fester. When Dad and Uncle Albert told me it was going to happen to bring the family closer together, I almost didn’t know what to do with the information.
A wicked smile crosses my face. At least it’ll make Annie mine.
She’s fought it for years, but what she doesn’t get about her and I? We have always been inevitable.
It’s a fact I accepted a long time ago, and it’s a lesson I’ve spent years trying to teach her. One that’s more important than her degree courses.
My attention cuts to her. She has her bag in her lap now, perched on her thighs. It’s cute how she thinks that would protect her or stop me if I really wanted to fuck her right now.
I like to lay claim to things that belong to me. And Annie Noble? She’s been mine since we were kids. My friend, my girl, and soon she’ll be my wife.
The town car turns left at an intersection, weaving from lane to lane.
“Were you planning on shopping for a wedding dress with your dad’s new girl?” I tip a wolfish smirk at her when her pink lips thin into a severe line. “My mom would love it if you invited her to go with you.”
“I’m sure she would.” Annie’s voice is monied, delicate like the tinkle of crystal. It’s also coldly polite.
“It’d be a great time for the two of you to get to know each other. I know she’s looking forward to having a daughter in her life.”
Annie’s shoulders remain stiff and straight. A tremor disturbs the edges of her lips. Her lashes lower, almost touching her cheeks.
Stroking my chin, I go for blood. “I’m sure she would be happy to fill in since you don’t have a mom. Well,” I lick my lips, awaiting the moment she’ll crack, “an age appropriate one. Charity Noble barely counts as an older sister, I imagine.”
There’s a slight sag in Annie’s proud posture. A burst of victory settles in my stomach. When she turns her eyes to me, they’re slitted and fierce.
“I hate to disappoint your mother,” Annie hisses. “She must feel like she’s lacking in happy moments with a monster like you for a son.”
I shrug. What Annie hasn’t figured out about my mom is that she’s still Mastriano through and through. Her married name hasn’t changed that. Mom’s a tough bitch, nothing shakes her.
“I won’t be inviting your mother to coo at me while I have my wedding dress designed.”
I open my mouth, but she takes a deep breath in through her nose. She smiles at me, the creepy one that she pulls out for her dad. It turns my stomach.
“But that won’t happen anytime soon,” Annie states, full of bravado that’s cracked at the edges. “You see, dear, there’s no fucking way I’ll marry you. Didn’t you get the memo years ago? You know, back when you were trying to hold me down and kiss me?” She gulps and I watch her throat work. “I didn’t want you when you were twelve and I absolutely don’t want you to touch me now.”
Now she’s just trying to piss me off. My teeth grind together and I crack my neck from side to side. Too bad for her, this is the most fun I’ve had all week, including last night when I collected an overdue debt with Mario. Like hell I’m giving it up for her comfort. Annie will have to do better than bring up our childhood to get past my walls.
The little princess will just have to endure until I’ve had my fill.
“I promise you, Annie,” I say solemnly, allowing my eyes to rove over her body. “You’ll be mine. Whether you want it or not.”
Annie’s glare intensifies in indignation. Her upper lip curls and I can’t help but appreciate the fight in her. It gets me hot.
“You’ll have to make me,” Annie spits, stabbing a finger at me. Her hazel eyes narrow. “If you think you have the balls to go that far. Because I’ll never be yours willingly.”
I chuckle and prepare to knock her from her prissy high horse.
