Page 22 of Stolen Bride

“Sorry, I was sleeping.”

“No problem, kiddo.” She thinks it’s because she’s in her PJs, but it’s because I’ve been fantasizing about what I want to do to her friend. “Go to bed, since we have a big day tomorrow.”

“Perfect.” She squeals and runs off to her room.

I set the alarm on my phone and then strip down to shower. When I come out, I open my underwear drawer and find an unexpected surprise.

“Fuck me. What a surprise, Stella.” I stare at my trophy with dark pride. Tucking them away, I slip on a clean pair of boxers before sliding under the covers. Thoughts of why she put them in the drawer run through my head, driving me wild and stiffening my dick. I run my hand over my length and then stop, trying to fight the urge to beat off—to save all my arousal for tomorrow.

Chapter Twelve

Damiano

When we pull up to the venue, I’m a little perplexed. Pissed is the better word as I try to fight this irrational pull toward Stella. Given the forced nature of the ceremony and all, I’m surprised Baker’s trying to make this actually appear legitimate. Maybe he’s looking for real investors. We’ll be taking a list of RVSPs so I’m aware of who welcomed this union, although Gracie and Gabe are making moves as we speak to stop guests from entering the church.

Adriano and I step up to Tommy’s door and barge in. “Hello, Tommy. I hear you’re getting married,” I say, dressed in my best suit. His mouth falls open in pure shock, giving himself a triple chin and nearly suffocating himself with his bowtie.

Staring at this man, I do my best to hide my disgust at the poorly fitted suit. Couldn’t he have had it tailored to fit since he has my money and is attempting to marry an angel?

My men have already put my plan in motion. Tommy doesn’t know what’s coming, but it won’t be him. My men are all waiting in the wings for what I have planned. Her stepfather’s fate will be delayed, but Tommy’s will soon come. The thought of him putting his mouth on my woman is enough to send me over the edge. I could slit his throat now, but his presence is required for this next part.

Has he seen her after I had my first taste? Did he enjoy her scent now tainted with mine? Well, it won’t matter because he won’t get that close to touching her again.

“Yes. You didn’t get my invite?” he finally chokes out, grabbing his collar and stretching it for air. Air that will soon leave his body after I’ve enjoyed tormenting him.

“No. Somehow, I didn’t. I didn’t even get a call to ask if I’d received it. Strange. I thought we were friends, Tommy.” I knew it wasn’t true, considering the man is late on my money.

“Must have been an oversight by the wedding planner and my bride. She can be a little absentminded.” My ass. The poor girl doesn’t have a say in how she fucking breathes. Interesting how his lies can come out so effortlessly when he thinks he’s safe here.

“Mistakes like that can happen,” I answer, letting my perturbed mood show, although he doesn’t know why.

“I understand that I still owe the money, but can we…”

“We can discuss that matter later. It’s a wedding day,” I say with a smirk, clapping my hand on his shoulder.

“Please do join us for the ceremony. It will be starting soon. My bride is getting ready as we speak.” Although I already knew it, the thought perturbed me.

“Oh, she is?” I’m seething internally, even if my expression doesn’t give away an ounce of my tension. The idea of her preparing to marry another man pisses me off so badly that I want to snap his neck right on the spot, but he deserves more than a quick death.

“Yes, but you know women. She’ll probably just be finished as the music begins to play.”

I chuckle because there will be no bridal march. “I can’t stay, but I must meet her and wish her congratulations. Please escort me to her room. I’ll be quick.” He’s hesitant but knows that I’m not asking. This isn’t a request.

We take the stairs, and unlike him, my guards are trained killers. He has no idea what lies ahead. My men stay alert. Rocco and Adriano move in step behind me, ready for my plan to be in action. The wedding doesn’t start for another hour so most of the guests haven’t even arrived, and those who have are being escorted out with the knowledge that the bride has developedcold feetand has called off the wedding.

As they are quietly being removed, her stepfather is in his dressing room getting hammered with one of my guards watching. He is too poor to hire his own guards, and Tommy’s have already been dispatched. Stella’s stepsister is in the room with her, which is a precarious situation that will soon be rectified. I don't trust that bitch armed with a piece of paper in front of Stella. She’d try to give her a paper cut.

Knock, Knock.Tommy bangs his fat knuckles on the door with his pinky ring, scuffing the wooden surface. “One minute.”

I stand off to the side with my back to the door so her evil stepsister can’t recognize me. “I need to see Stella,” Tommy says.

“She’s not in her dress, so that’s cool. Although not that it matters. The dumb bitch doesn’t have a chance and you’re her only choice.” She steps out and heads down the hall to where her father’s getting wasted.

It’s rare that a female ends up on the radar for disposal, but Camille has crossed a line. She drugged Rocco, and the tests proved it. He’d been high as a kite and under her influence, so dealing with her demise is something he wants to handle personally. She nearly cost him his life, and he is pissed. After what she said about Stella, there is no love lost where they are concerned. She has to go.

I turn around, following Tommy into her dressing room. Gouging his eyes out is going to be fun.

“Stella, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine.” She has her back to us, clad in a beautiful, silky white robe that does little to hide her sensuously round bottom and slender back. Even from this view, she’s gorgeous and way out of this fucker’s league. My body’s reaction is instant, and I can’t wait to peel it off her. Fuck me. I’m hard just staring at her slight frame and perfect curves.

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