Page 121 of Bitter Heat

“Yes,” she moaned.

His hand disappeared, and she tipped forward. He caught her before she fell and turned her to face him. She stood there, throbbing and aching as he smoothed the bunched-up tulle and fixed her veil with a poise that made her want to rake her nails down his face.

He met her seething gaze. “Tonight,” he promised and held out his hand.

There was so much to say, but he was right about one thing. She was in too deep, and there was no going back. Kaia’s warning had come too late.

“Take my hand,” he ordered.

She took a deep breath and stepped off the cliff. She put her hand in his.

Chapter 20

When they stepped out of the room, a flash went off in her face. As her vision cleared, she saw a woman in a white pantsuit holding a camera.

“The photographer will be taking candid shots as well,” Roth said.

“Are we all set?” Lyle asked as he walked up.

“Yes.”

Ariana handed her a beautiful bouquet with deep purple, blush, and white roses with jasmine. Before she could admire it, Roth led her outside with everyone trooping behind them. She picked up the front of her dress and was glad her shoes had a square heel so it didn’t sink into the soft ground. A man stood beside the lake as the sun began to set, streaking the sky with color. As they stopped before the minister, the photographer positioned them to face one another and took a round of shots. She stared at Roth as the cold crept into her bones. His eyes were steady on hers. The sound of Bailey’s and Kye’s happy voices was a jarring contrast to the heavy conflict going on inside her.

Once the photographer was satisfied, Jasmine handed her bouquet to Ariana, and the minister began to speak, his voice carrying easily in the hushed quiet. Her nerves began to fray as the minister’s words began to penetrate her haze. Her fingers dug into Roth’s flesh, but he didn’t react. His expression was impassive as he began to speak. She couldn’t hear his words, not over the sound of her heart thudding in her ears. She was dimly aware of the photographer hopping around and the occasional blinding flashes, but she didn’t look away from him.

“Ms. Hennessy,” the minister prompted.

She blinked and saw Lyle holding a ring out to her. She took the platinum band and looked at Roth who extended his hand. She threaded it on his finger, wondering why he had gone to the trouble when he hadn’t worn one the first time around.

“Now, Ms. Hennessy, repeat after me.”

The knowledge that her family was witnessing this union and the photographer was capturing the most dramatic shots for the world to see made her voice falter a few times, but Roth’s eyes commanded her to soldier on. When the time came, Roth produced a delicate diamond band, which complemented the already stunning engagement ring.

“You may kiss the bride!” the minister said with a smile.

Roth draped back her veil. He tipped her chin up, and then his mouth was on hers. It was a brief, hard kiss, a reminder of who she belonged to. She was Mrs. James Roth once more. He received a congratulatory pat on the back from Rami, and her sisters cheered while Lyle watched through narrow eyes. It was clear he still had mixed feelings about Roth. He wasn’t alone on that point.

“Pictures, quickly! The sky is perfect!” the photographer shouted.

Her sisters’ families flanked them on either side. Kye leaned into her and clutched her skirts.

“Aunty?” Kye called.

“Yes?”

“You’re married?”

She placed her hand on his head. “Yeah.”

“Are you gonna have babies?”

Roth’s hand on her waist tightened. She kept her voice light. “Not everyone has babies, Kye.”

“Aunt Col did,” he said.

“Not now, Kye,” Ariana said as the photographer jumped up and down to get the kids to look at her.

“And now some shots of the happy couple,” the photographer said.

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