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I meet his gaze and wish like hell I hadn’t.
“This isn’t over. It won’t be until you’re mine.”
I bark out a laugh. “I’ll never be yours, Odin.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Now, get your ass inside and splash some water on your face. Understand?”
I don’t answer and pull away from him. Freja is waiting when I get inside, her eyebrow lifted. Did she see everything? My gut says yes.
“Want to talk about it?”
“No. Do you have any pills with you?”
“I have some Adderall.” She gives me a sly smile. “Want to make today really fun?”
“Sure.”
She grabs my hand. “Come on.”
We slip into one of the empty restrooms and she locks the door behind us.
“It’s been a real bitch getting these with the shortage, but I managed,” she says, pulling out a plastic bag with four pills inside. “Well, technically Flynn got them.”
She places them on the marble countertop and uses her phone to smash them until they’re powder. She digs in her purse, pulling out a dollar bill and rolls it up, making a straw.
“Do I even want to know how you know how to do this?”
She lifts a shoulder in a shrug as she uses her credit card to make two perfect lines of powder.
“Let’s just say that being the black sheep of the family has made me learn how to protect myself.” She holds the rolled-up dollar toward me. “Here’s to a beautiful day.”
I take the dollar and lean down, snorting up the entire line. She grins and takes the bill, doing the same. The rush is almost instant, making me feel alive and in control. Throwing my arms around her shoulders, I give her a quick hug.
“Thanks. I need this.”
“I know.” Her gaze searches mine. “Anna, I’m here if you need someone to talk to. I’ve been in your shoes before.”
She doesn’t offer more than that, making me wonder again who the man that broke her heart is.
My eyes water and I blink away the tears. “Maybe we can talk once they’ve left for their honeymoon?”
“Deal.”
We make our way out of the bathroom and return to the room where the bridal party is. No one even seems to notice our arrival, mostly because Mother is having her photo taken and everyone is fawning over her. Freja and I sit on a loveseat in a corner of the room, and I close my eyes. Mother and Odin will be gone for three weeks. That means three weeks of freedom for me. Hopefully, Grandmama already has someone in mind for me to marry. With any luck, I’ll be out of Odin’s house in a few months.
Aunt Kirstynn tells everyone it’s time to get in line, and I fall at the end with Freja.
Freja touches my arm. “I can’t believe she didn’t want to take any photos with you.”
“She never does.”
We make our way to the foyer of the church. There’s soft, classical music playing, just as Mother requested. Since I’m the last bridesmaid, I’ll be the first to walk down the aisle. Inhaling, I lift my lips in a soft, serene smile. One I’ve had to use many times over the years when I’d rather be screaming or begging for someone to save me from this prison. The doors open and I wait for the signal from the wedding planner before I start walking.
Faces blur as I make my way down the aisle except for one. Odin stands at the front of the church in a black tuxedo with a black dress shirt. His tie is the same color of blue as my undergarments, which isn’t surprising since it’shiscolor of blue. Another warning.
He watches me approach, which makes me super nervous. What if I stumble? I’ll never live it down if I mess up Mother’s moment. Thankfully, I make it to the front of the church and move to get in place, keeping my attention on my aunts who are approaching. I feel Odin’s gaze graze my skin, but don’t dare look his way.
Mother finally makes her way down the aisle, and everyone stands. I don’t watch her, either. Instead, I look around the room. I spot Ellie at Mr. Jafar’s side. She smiles at me, and I smile back, though my eyes water. Kieran Van der Zee sits alone, which caused a stir. I was sure he was going to bring Ariel with him. There are also big players from Chicago in attendance. Hook and Company, with the lovely Amelia at their side. Midas, Winter, and their closest men. The Di Bello Family—all of them, with Dove right in the middle. And Goldie and the three Behr brothers.
