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I nod. “Okay. I’ll do it. Just put down the gun. Please.”
The pastor agrees. “There’s no need to have it out, sir.”
Clayton tucks the gun into his waistband and sneers. “Sorry, Father. Didn’t mean to offend you. Now, get on with the show.”
The pastor looks close to passing out. I glance down at John, who’s at our feet. Is this what Clayton had planned the whole time?
As if sensing my thoughts, he says, “I told you we’d get married the moment my father died. This works out perfectly, too. Now I don’t have to worry about a prenup with you.”
I say nothing. I mean, what can I say?
The pastor clears his throat. “We are gathered here to witness the matrimony between, uh, Clayton and Ariel. Marriage is a solemn affair and must not be entered lightly.”
Clayton sighs. “Speed it up, pal.”
“Mind if I watch this blessed union?”
Gasping, I turn to find Kieran strolling toward us, a pistol trained on Clayton. Sebastian, Flounder, and several men I don’t know are at his side with their guns out. The men who were patrolling are nowhere to be seen, making me think they work with Kieran, too.
Clayton stills next to me. “What are you doing here, Van der Zee?”
“I believe I already explained my interests to you the other day,boy. Now, step away from the girl before this gets messy.”
Clayton laughs. “I don’t think so.”
Kieran comes to a stop in front of Clayton, pressing the gun to his forehead. “Really?”
Clayton’s hands go up. “Easy. I’m moving.”
“Take three steps to the left.”
Clayton does as he’s told, which is surprising.
Kieran asks the pastor, “Was the first ceremony complete before this fucker killed his father?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.”
He turns to Clayton and pulls the trigger. I turn my head as Clayton falls to the ground next to his father.
“Come on, pet, we’re going home.”
Maybe I should fight him, but I’m just so damn happy that he’s here, so I take his outstretched hand.
The shock doesn’t set in until we’re almost to the SUV. I stumble and almost fall. Kieran is right there and scoops me into his arms, carrying me the rest of the way.
“I’ve got you.”
I’m shaking by the time we get into the SUV. When Kieran is seated, he pulls me onto his lap, holding me close. I’m not sure what just happened. Did Kieran know Clayton was going to kill his father? Is that why he’s here? Or was he here for another reason? A sob works its way up my throat and I press my face against Kieran’s chest to hide the tears. I don’t stop shaking the entire ride back to Kieran’s house. He holds me on his lap, whispering sweet nothings into my ear, but I don’t listen. What game is he playing now?
We arrive at the house, and he gets out first. It starts to rain as we make our way inside. I make the mistake of looking at my reflection in the mirror in the foyer. There’s blood splattered across my face. John’s blood.
I groan as my legs give out. Kieran is there again and carries me upstairs to his room. Without saying a word, he walks into the bathroom.
“Can you stand?”
I nod. He pulls my dress over my head, tossing it to the side. My undergarments are next. When I’m nude, he turns the shower on, letting the water warm. I stare at my hands, which have blood on them, and hot tears fill my eyes.
