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“Yes, he’s my closest friend.” He pauses, chewing on the inside of his cheek. “He knows everything about my quest for revenge, as does Gavril. They know I kissed you, but I never told them it went any further until I rang Archer earlier and asked him to be my best man.” He tilts his head. “Do you want Natalya to come?”
I shake my head. “No, I would prefer it just to be us.”
“You are a rare gem, you know? Most girls wouldn’t stand for anything but the biggest wedding possible.”
“Well, I’m not most girls.”
“No, you are not.” He kisses the back of my hand, sending a shiver down my spine. “What time will we get married tomorrow?”
“The priest has agreed to a noon wedding in the school chapel.”
I swallow hard, as the last time I was in that chapel, he forced me to scrub blood from the floor. “I’m still angry at you, though, for forcing all those punishments on me when you knew I was telling the truth.” I narrow my eyes at him. “Why did you do it?”
Oak pushes his hand through his messy hair, sighing. “Honestly, it was a good excuse to put my hands on you. That’s the only reason.” He grabs my hand and squeezes. “I’m no saint, Eva. Darkness is a part of me, and I struggle with it every single day.” His eyes search mine. “It’s why I enjoy punishing you.” He cracks his neck. “I enjoy inflicting pain on you, even though I want to protect you from everyone else.”
I grab his hand and squeeze. “You’re lucky I seem to enjoy pain, aren’t you?” I ask, understanding that his punishment was a way to quench his desire for me.
Although I hated that he wouldn’t listen to me when I told him the truth, deep down, I wanted him to punish me and touch me, as I felt closer to him that way.
I notice the medallion he wears around his neck hanging outside of his shirt, and I drag my fingers over the metal. “Is this a family heirloom?”
He glances at the medallion, a sad look in his eyes. “It belonged to my grandfather, the man who gave my grandmother that ring.” He signals to the engagement ring on my finger. “He left it to me in his will, and it’s the only possession other than the ring, which I kept with me after I escaped from Naples.”
“It’s beautiful.” I look at it closer, noticing there are words engraved in it. “What does it say?”
“It’s a family slogan, and it says blood binds us, blood forges us.” He looks pained as he recites the words. “I broke that bond the moment I fled Italy, but I’d do it all over again if I had to.”
I can sense that his emotions about his family are about as messed up as mine. “Did you have any siblings?”
He nods. “Two siblings, a brother, and a sister. Benito and Adria.”
“Do you miss them?”
His jaw clenches. “Of course, but I did what I had to when I left.” He swallows hard. “I don’t want to talk about my family anymore.”
“Of course, why don’t we watch that movie we tried to watch on Christmas Day?” I ask.
He chuckles. “Sure, I promise I’ll pay attention this time.”
I grab the remote, and I settle down, wrapped in his arms, and put it on, feeling lucky that in one day I’ll be able to call this man my husband.
* * *
I twirlmy fingers through my hair, gazing at my reflection in the mirror, struggling to believe I’m going to walk down the aisle today and marry the principal of my school.
Professor Daniels will attend the ceremony, which seems a little weird, but apparently, he’s Oak’s closest friend.
It’s insane. I can’t even imagine what Natalya, Camilla, and Adrianna will say when I tell them the news at the start of next semester.
A woman clears her throat behind me, forcing me to turn. “Are you ready?” she asks. I think she’s the florist as she’s clutching a bouquet of white roses.
I nod in reply, and she enters the small changing room next to the school chapel. “These are for you.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
She nods, and then her brow furrows. “Where are your parents?”
I narrow my eyes at her. “They couldn’t make it,” I lie.
