Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
A sly smile slips onto his face. “I have a feeling we’ll make some more.”
“Finn. I’m not joking.”
“I know you’re not.” He stands, still holding my hands, and takes the ring from the box. “I swear it, Dara. We’re doing this for the child. Whatever happens with us, the baby will be our priority, from here on out.”
I chew the inside of my cheek. Can I really do this? Can I marry this man, this gangster? This man seems the epitome of class and wealth on the outside, but under the surface, violence and danger lurk like predators. I got a hint of it, talking to Shane back there, and other hints before, when he mentioned keeping me safe.
Protecting me implies protecting me from something.
But it isn’t about me anymore. It’s about my child and giving them the best shot at having a life.
I won’t get attached to this man. I won’t let myself end up like my parents—so deeply in love when they were younger, but ground down by life, smashed into pieces by circumstances, and so deeply bitter that everything is tainted, including whatever feelings they might’ve had for each other at one point.
I’ll keep my distance and focus on my baby. Finn doesn’t matter—he’s a means to an end.
“All right, I’ll marry you.”
“I hoped you’d say that.” He slips the ring on my finger. Surprisingly—it fits. “Ah, I really do have a good eye.”
I stare at the diamond. It’s simple, one rock with several smaller stones haloed around it, but the main gem is absolutely gorgeous, glittering in the sunlight, catching and cutting the light, casting it in all directions. It’s dazzling, a good metaphor for Finn himself, but it’s also hard and cold and meaningless.
“What now?” I ask, bewildered by my own choices, overwhelmed by what this is going to mean for us.
“Now you get changed into something nice and we head over to the courthouse.”
“Aren’t there waiting lists? Appointments?”
He clicks his tongue, smiling. “Love, I’m a Crowley. My name opens doors.”
“Ah, so rich and so modest.”
“Honest, more like, but that’s okay. You’ll understand what it means to be a part of my family soon.”
“That sounds pretty damn ominous.”
“That’s because it is.” He takes my hand and squeezes it. “You don’t have to worry though. In a few hours, you’ll be my wife, and your new life can begin.”
He leads me away from the fountain, back toward his house, and I’m not sure if I’m rushing headlong into a fire or tumbling down a frozen glacier, but either way, I’m headed toward something terrifying.
Chapter 19
Finn
My breath catches in my throat as Dara comes into the kitchen.
She’s wearing a simple white floral dress. It’s not what I’d picture a traditional bride would wear, but she looks absolutely radiant with her hair down, her eyelashes long and dark, her lips pink, a little tugging at the corners. The top’s low, but still tasteful, and the skirt barely brushes her knees. Heels round it out, adding a couple inches to her height, though she’s still petite.
“What do you think? It’s the best I could do last minute.”
“You look incredible,” I say, coming toward her. I’m somewhat more formally dressed in a dark suit, though it’s a normal outfit for me. “Honestly, it’s perfect.”
She grins at me. “You really like it?” She does a little twirl. “Can’t keep your eyes off me?”
“Makes me look forward to the wedding night.”
Her cheeks flush. “There won’t be a wedding night. Separate beds, remember?”
I make a soft growl in the back of my throat. “You’re going to be my wife. You really think I’m going to let you out of my sight for one second? Especially after looking like that?”
She licks her lips. “Easy, boy. You haven’t locked this down just yet.”
“But I’m going to.” I walk toward her, hands sweating with excitement. “Are you really trying to pretend like you’re going to fight me on this? You really think you want to sleep anywhere but by my side?”
“I think you need to remember—” She jabs a finger in my chest as I get close. “This isn’t real. I’m not your actual wife. And this is all about the baby.” She digs her finger in tighter. “We need boundaries.”
“Boundaries? What are those? All I see is a beautiful woman wearing my ring.”
Her smile brightens as she shakes her head, moving away from me, putting space between us. I want to crush that space, drag her against me, press my lips against her chest. Kiss her hard, mark her, make her mine. Fuck, what is this girl doing to me?
“Calm down, big guy. I’ve been thinking. If we’re going to make this work, I need to be sure you’re not going to come barging into the bathroom every time I’m taking a shower.”
“You think I’m a teenage boy or something? Can’t resist the temptation of a naked woman?”