Total pages in book: 331
Estimated words: 315585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1578(@200wpm)___ 1262(@250wpm)___ 1052(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 315585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1578(@200wpm)___ 1262(@250wpm)___ 1052(@300wpm)
My wide eyes go to his, and that knot of emotion returns. I blink, trying to hold back the happy tears. I nod, biting my lip and choke out, “Y-yes.”
He slips it onto my trembling finger and stands. He cups my face, and I choke back a sob. “Till death do us part,” he promises.
“Till death do us part,” I vow.
SIXTY
KASHTON
Her tear-filled eyes drop to inspect the 8.12 carat emerald cut diamond. It has a cut shield diamond on either side with a diamond-set platinum band. I knew the moment I saw it that she needed it. “How does it fit?” I ask, running my thumb over it.
“Perfectly.” She assures me. “It’s perfect.” Placing her hands on my face, she kisses me, and I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into me.
I wanted this to be special for her. A chance to show her just how much she means to me. Words only go so far. They only mean so much. I’m going to prove to her how much I love her. That I can take care of her.
“Seriously?” Sin calls out, and she pulls away laughing as I look at the open door. “It’s time.”
“We’re coming,” she laughs softly.
I look over her necklace and then check her ears and see she hasn’t put in the earrings Bill got her. “Be right there,” I assure him and he closes the door when I grab the small box and hold it out to her.
She removes the diamond studs and replaces them with the earrings that Bill gave her. I close the box with the diamonds now in them and set it aside. “You look stunning, Eve.”
Her cheeks turn pink at the compliment. “Come on.” I take her hand, and we exit the owner’s suite and step out onto the deck. I’ve got it lined with rose petals to a black altar at the bow of the yacht.
“You shouldn’t have done this for me,” she whispers.
I turn to look at her, and her watery eyes scan the bow. “I’d do anything for you,” I tell her, and when she looks at me, I gently kiss her lips. This is just the start of our forever.
“Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden begins to play, and Sin clears his throat, standing under the altar.
Eve glances at me. I shrug. “Where’s Howard?” I ask, looking around.
He smiles, answering, “I told the officiant he wasn’t needed. I’m going to marry you.” Sin pulls his shoulders back. “Don’t worry. I’m legit. I got ordained online today.”
I open my heavy eyes, hearing my phone beep. Looking at my wife, I see she’s tucked into my side, right arm across my chest and sound asleep.
Reaching over, I pick up my cell and see I have a new video message. I gently pull out from underneath Eve and put on my dress slacks before opening the sliding glass door and stepping out onto the balcony. The ocean looks like black glass. It’s so dark out here, and the sound of the waves is calming. After our ceremony, I opted for the patch that Sin also got for me in case the gum didn’t work. I prefer the patch much more.
I fall into a chair and run a hand down my face before I open up the video. It’s in the group chat with Saint and Haidyn.
When I press Play, a room comes into view. It’s the same one she was in for her initiation, but only Evan is currently present. He’s got his back to the camera, tossing some things onto a tray, but I’m unable to see what they are.
The door opens and Eve is shoved into it. “Fucking bitch,” she hisses at the man who pushed her inside before turning to face Evan.
The door opens once again, and my pulse races when I see who has entered. Her back is to him, so she doesn’t notice. Too focused on Evan.
“Get on the table,” Evan orders her.
“I will not,” she argues, snorting.
Evan turns to face her. His eyes flicker to the Lord watching their exchange. “If you don’t—”
“You will have to make me,” she interrupts him.
I love my girl, but she’s so stubborn. It’s going to get her killed one day.
“Eve…” Evan smirks. He’s enjoying this. “We’ve talked about this.”
“And I told you to go to hell.” She spins around to rush out of the room but doesn’t get far. The Lord swings, punching her in the face.
My heart races when she drops to the concrete floor like deadweight. She didn’t even see his fist coming.
She’s on her side, her legs and arms twisted, matted hair covering parts of her already bruised face. Now it’s bleeding.
“Put her on the table,” Evan orders the kid who brought her into the room while he walks over to the Lord. “Mr. Reeves. What a surprise.”