Page 77 of Betrothed in Fury
“Yes,” he says so quickly, I don’t imagine it’s because he’s not considering it, but because he’s considered it enough to know it’s the only answer.
And it tugs at an ease within me, makes me feel as though, fucked up as tonight was, it was all worth it if it means I get to have my prize. I lean down close to him, keeping his hands in place as I rest my forehead against his, his hot breath rushing against my face.
“Logan Wilde. Will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?” The words push past my lips effortlessly, like they’ve been waiting all this time for me to say them as they needed to be said.
The room is so silent, despite the screams still echoing in my mind, and as Logan breathes, “Yes,” I seal the promise with a kiss.
“My little falcon, clipped and tamed, mine once and for all.”
I expect to see defeat in his expression, but he looks blissed out, utterly satisfied, which fills me with pride.
27
LOGAN
This is it.
The end of freedom as once I knew it, and the beginning of the imprisonment that is marrying Killian Lorde.
Up until he popped the question, it was a looming fear, this trainwreck I couldn’t stop. I’ve dreaded this future, and at times I’ve denied it, but now there’s no question.
Despite my resistance, last week when he tortured Wilmore Cronkite and ensured the security of my family, I didn’t have any doubts about his loyalty or protection. I refused to submit but offered myself up to satisfy the darkness in him, and really, in me too. When we fucked, I felt alive. I was without judgment or self-hatred, just appreciating someone who could see me.Reallysee me.
Yes, I will have to forfeit my silly notions about love, but maybe that’s the price I’ve always been destined to pay. And as long as the Wildes are safe, what else really matters?
The following Monday, Killian permits me to use his office space to manage some business matters, so I’m at work when Wrath enters the room. He’s doing much better, his injuries healed over for the most part.
“So this is where you’ve been hiding.” Wrath sidles up to the desk, the way he typically does. It grates on my nerves because I feel like he’s just coming here to distract me from getting anything done. “I called and checked in on Malaki and Ror,” he says. “They’re doing well, despite hating you for pulling them away from classes.”
Malaki and Rory had to go into hiding, though I’m sure that won’t be for long. Since Killian revealed Wilmore’s intentions, the Cronkites have cooperated as a gesture of good faith to help us hunt down the men hired to assassinate my brothers.
“Are they keeping up with their schoolwork?” I press, since I told them this wasn’t a vacation. They’ve arranged to complete assignments digitally while we handle this. Their education is important, as it will ensure they won’t wind up entangled in the family business the way the rest of us have been. Of course, as this incident has shown, there’s no real way of escaping it, but I’ll do everything in my power to keep it from infringing upon their lives.
Wrath squints. “You think those guys are the ones you have to keep in line?”
He’s right. It was a weird question since they’ve both always gone above and beyond. Feels like it came from some remnant of Dad within me, lurking and micromanaging.
“Anything else?” I ask. “I have a lot to do today.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, am I keeping you from your wedding plans?”
We lock eyes.
Killian and I first announced our engagement alongside the plans we were making for our brothers and the Cronkites, so there wasn’t time to address our impending wedding, but now that things have quieted down, it’s time to face the consequences, including getting the appropriate amount of hell from my brothers.
“It’s nothing,” I lie.
“I know it’s a sham wedding. I figure you can still get laid outside of Killian.”
“That won’t be happening,” I say before I even have a chance to self-censor. One of the few times where this impulsive Wilde gene is doing me a favor because the thought that Killian might be recording audio in this room, if I were to lie, even that muchmight be enough to set him off. And after what he’s done for us, I don’t intend for him to ever think I would betray him.
I should’ve considered Wrath’s reaction, though, because now he’s looking at me wide-eyed, mouth agape.
“What?” He sounds eerily similar to how I did right after I discovered Killian’s sick intentions.
At least, that’s how I perceived them back then. Now it all makes me feel safe. Secure.
“I don’t want to talk about this.” I return my attention to my laptop.
