Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“Hurry up in there,” I hear Papa say through the door, as the tears are streaming down my face. “There are things we need to do to get you prepared for the ceremony, and we only have a few hours. Today you’ll be married, and tomorrow you’ll be in West Virginia with your new family. I won’t let you shame me like your mother did, Selma. I won’t.”
AS I TRUDGE DOWN THE corridor a few hours later, dressed in the plain wedding dress, I can’t believe what’s happening to my life. There’s nowhere to go, nowhere to run. Papa is going to perform the ceremony himself, and I’ll be attached to a man I don’t love.
A man I don’t know.
Even if I did, I wouldn’t love him.
Because I’m in love with Ash.
When I enter the front room, there is a group of people I don’t recognize, along with a few members of our own community. Libertine isn’t even here.
“Come girl.” Papa sounds irritated. I feel like I’m walking to my execution. “This is Daniel. He’s going to be your husband.”
A man beside him turns my way and looks me up and down, then he shakes his head, looks at the ceiling then the floor, heaving a sigh that is more disappointment than approval. He leans over to the stern man standing at his side, who I assume is his father, and mutters, “I hope she’s housebroken.”
T H I R T E E N
Ash
“WE’RE HERE, SIR.” THEODORE, my driver, sounds less than impressed with our surroundings, and I know why. My team is loyal, and it’s their job to keep me safe. Coming into the Dresden community, we passed quite a few folks who looked less than thrilled to see my limo driving in.
“Keep the engine running,” I tell him as I open the door and climb out. I’m running on pure adrenaline. I slept zero minutes last night wondering what the hell was going on with her and her father. Hating myself for letting her go with him, but understanding, I have to let her make some of her own decisions too. I’m not going to turn into another Papa controlling her against her will.
Cameron phoned me at the hotel this morning and gave me Selma’s mobile phone number, and immediately I wondered why she’d lied to me about having a cell, but Cameron explains she cannot receive or make calls to any pre-authorized numbers. And now that I’ve met her father, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been on that authorized list.
After Cameron tells me about their text exchange, I’m in a rage. He’s been trying to reach her since, but he’s gotten no more communication from her. Even though I couldn’t get through to her, I could have one of my tech guys find out where the phone was pinging from and send me her location.
There are a few other vehicles parked outside the house where her phone is still broadcasting a signal. A couple of beat-up old trucks and a wood-paneled station wagon sit outside the simple wooden structure. I don’t have any idea what I’m going to find inside, but I know one thing for sure: I’m not leaving without Selma.
As I get close to the door, I hear a voice, and I recognize it immediately as her father. I can’t make out the words, but from the tone, it sounds like a sermon.
Pushing open the door without knocking, I see her kneeling, head down at the feet of a man in a suit. Selma is dressed in the ugliest cotton dress I’ve ever seen, and it breaks my heart. She deserves so much better. There are people standing in a U shape around Selma and the man, while her father stands in front of them all. And it doesn’t take a genius to work out what’s happening.
It’s a wedding.
When he hears the door open, he stops speaking and stares at me with fire in his eyes.
“Stop this right now.” I slam the door behind me and stride past the handful of gathered people, ignoring their horrified gasps.
Selma turns at the sound of my voice, her eyes are red-rimmed and tired, but when she sees me, her face lights up.
I reach down and pull her to her feet, unperturbed by the protest of the people around as I plant my lips firmly against hers. The kiss deepens, and I pull her close, thrusting my body against hers as she responds with a moan of pleasure and wraps her hands around my neck. Selma is mine, and nobody is taking her from me.
“You whore.” Daniel makes a noise like he’s about to throw up.
I see red. I don’t waste a moment as I break the kiss and hold Selma behind me, then throw the punch. It connects with a crunch, and the guy staggers back, his hands going to his face. Blood is streaming from his nose and top lip, but I step forward and land a second blow to his gut.