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Probably thinks this is the ceremony he was hired to officiate in the first place.

Elena eyes her father, then the religious one beside him, before her wary eyes land on me. They narrow into little slits, her nostrils flaring, as if she’s trying to force my combustion.

“What’s going on?” she asks, hands curling into fists at her sides.

No one answers immediately, presumably waiting for my explanation. Seeming to sense that I’m about to move, Elena flinches the second my feet start in her direction, launching herself toward the door; I lunge for her at the same time, anticipating her attempt to escape, catching her around the waist with both arms.

Slamming her back into me, the gentle swell of her ass pressing obscenely against my cock, I wrangle us around so we’re directly in front of the priest, whose eyes are now wide and confused.

He hisses something to Rafael, who shakes his head and offers soft, soothing tones back. I dip my lips to Elena’s ear as she struggles against my hold, apparently unaware that it’s her fighting spirit that drew me to her in the first place.

The more she tries to get away, rubbing her ass against me, the harder I get.

“Careful, little one.”

Shifting forward, I slip one of my hands down over the expanse of her belly, pushing down with my fingertips. She sucks in a little breath, undoubtedly feeling the evidence of my reaction, and freezes immediately.

Our audience does nothing to suppress the arousal traveling south; if anything, it seems to heighten it, knowing she’s completely at my mercy. One wrong move and I’ll humiliate her in front of her father, more than I already have.

Gesturing to the priest with my free hand, I keep her anchored to me with the other.

“What the fuck are you doing?” she hisses, jerking her shoulder against my chin. “I am not marrying you.”

“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice.”

“Papá,” she breathes, glancing at him pleadingly. “You see what he did to Mateo, right? Why are you not stopping this?”

“Even if he wanted to, I assure you, there’s nothing he could do.” Shooting the priest a dirty look, I snap my fingers, telling him to get on with it.

“My father is the most powerful man in the city,” Elena says, speaking over the priest as he begins his speech.

I snort. “No, he isn’t.”

Rafe stiffens, but I ignore it. That can’t be news to him, anyway.

“We’re gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts in the presence of God. Here, in this… chamber, we witness the union of one Dr. Kallum Anderson and Miss Elena Ricci together in marriage.”

A pause. The priest hesitates.

“Oh my God,” Elena gasps, beginning to struggle again. “What the fuck? Stop it! Let go of me!”

Clamping one hand down over her mouth, I nod at the priest. “Continue, please.”

He licks his dry lips, then raises his Bible again, pressing on. “If anyone present has just cause as to why this couple should not be united, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Elena’s shrieks reverberate off my skull, the vibrations from her throat rippling through my forearm. I tighten my grip on her mouth, moving so my index finger slightly blocks her nostrils; she screams and screams, the sounds muffled and broken, until she realizes she’s not regaining oxygen.

Breaking off on a strangled cry, she halts, face reddening. I cock an eyebrow, craning my head to look into her eyes. They’re feral, flames dancing in the golden rings, and part of me wants to feel bad for forcing her into this.

From her world into mine, knowing she really doesn’t deserve it.

But she’s in danger, and my plan can’t happen any other way, so in truth, neither of us have a choice here, really.

“Kallum, do you vow to trust and honor Elena? To laugh and cry, love her faithfully, through sickness and in health, and whatever may come, ‘til death do you part?” the priest asks woodenly.

“I do,” I say, something pinching in my chest as I say it, the lie bitter on the back of my tongue. He repeats the same vow for her, and she shakes her head, tears welling in her eyes, mouth still covered. “When I remove my hand, I want you to say it. Say you do.”

Her eyes harden, the tears soaking up.

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