Page 138 of Wicked Lord
Was I prepared to actually get married?
Hell, no.
But I’d do it to save Lorelei from a lifetime of abuse and torment.
“I do mean it. And I just needed you to know that.” My body brushed hers as I cupped her cheek, feeling the tremors racing through her. “Tell me you don’t feel the same, and I’ll leave you alone.”
Her gaze darted to the side as unshed tears shimmered. “I’m trying to protect you,” she hissed.
My head snapped back as her words repeated on a loop in my ears. “What are you talking about?”
Her fingertips shot to her mouth as she realized the slip-up. “Nothing. Never mind.”
She tried to break away, but my hands shot out and pressed into the wall to trap her.
“Brockdidthreaten you, didn’t he?” My heart crashed against my ribs in an angry rhythm. The bastard forced her to break things off, but it had nothing to do with saving her family’s fortune. This was about me. “Tell me, Lore.”
Her mouth opened, the truth dangling on the tip of her tongue, when someone cleared his throat.
“If you don’t mind, Axel, I’d like to have my betrothed back.” Brock stood a few feet away, that arrogant smile curving his mouth as he extended his hand for Lorelei. “Come on, sweetheart. You don’t want to cause trouble for the boy, do you?”
CHAPTER 56
PROMISE ME
Lorelei
Of course I didn’t want to cause trouble forthe boyas Brock had so arrogantly called Axel. But after hearing those three little words fall from his lips my brain had short-circuited. Axel loved me? He was actually in love with me for real?
More than that, he’d offered to marry me, to jump on his private jet for a quickie Vegas ceremony just to save me from the monster I was shackled to. Damn it, there was nothing I wanted more. My heart pinched, and all the air squeezed from my faltering lungs.
His brilliant blue eyes seared to mine, as if he was searching the darkest depths of my soul. There was so much hope, so much promise in that gaze.
God, when Axel looked at me like that, I believed him.
But his wedding ring wouldn’t save me now. It would only condemn him to a much darker fate. I didn’t care about Axel’s past sins. He didn’t deserve to spend the rest of his life in prison.So with my heart shattering into a million pieces, I drew out a long breath and peeled my body from his.
But not before I mouthed the traitorous words I couldn’t keep back a second longer, “I love you, too.”
I spun away before I could see the flash of hope in his burning gaze because it would devastate me. “I’m coming,” I snapped at Brock.
His mouth twisted into a satisfied sneer, and it was all I could do to keep my fingers clenched at my sides instead of wiping that sadistic smile off his face with my fist. I marched right past him and disappeared into the sea of elegant tuxedos and glittering ballgowns.
The slap of quickly trailing footfalls across the marble forced a groan through my clenched teeth. Brock’s hand wrapped around my upper arm, hauling me toward him.
“I don’t know what the hell has gotten into you, Lorelei, but it’s time you learned your place.”
“Fuck you,” I snarled, catching the attention of Copper Cove’s esteemed mayor. The ruddy-faced man whirled around, silver brows gnarled and eyes wide. Ignoring his curious stare, I wriggled out of Brock’s grasp while he floundered. “Excuse me, Mayor, it’s that time of that month, and I just can’t seem to control my mouth.”
Weaving between the throng of Copper Cove’s most elite residents, I quickened my pace, desperate to get away from my stalker.
“Lorelei!” Brock’s angry hisses followed me deeper into the crowd.
Picking up the voluminous skirts of the over-the-top gown Brock had bought just for this occasion, I wished I could kick off my heels and run straight out of the gala or better yet, the country club pool. Cocking my head over my shoulder, I hazarded a quick glance.
Brock was only a few couples behind, his measured steps more controlled than my wild, frenzied ones.
When I swung my head back around, I ran straight into a set of broad shoulders, hugged by a bespoke dark jacket. “Oh, sorry,” I mumbled.
