Page 180 of Bride By Initiation

"Prove it," I spout, then stomp into the bedroom and slam the door. I lock it, then slide into bed, unable to stop the tears from drenching my pillow.

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29

Sean

Two Days Later

"Where did you put them, Zara?" I call out.

"Same place I always do," she snaps back from inside the closet.

"They aren't there," I bark, opening another bathroom drawer.

Things have been tense between us the last two days. She can't seem to get past the lipstick she found in my pocket. The only explanation I can come up with is that someone from The Underworld had to have planted it there. But my wife isn't taking my word for it. And I can't say I blame her, even though she should know I would never cheat on her.

She adds, "Then you didn't put them back where they belong."

"Ugh," I grumble, flinging open the bathroom drawer where Zara keeps her excess facial products, then freeze.

Inside, I see a black leather bag with the skull design embossed on it in gold.Zara Marinois printed under the skull. Beneath that it saysZara O'Malley.

What the fuck?

When's she going to change her last name?

My pulse skyrockets, and my heart hammers with anger, hurt, and curiosity. I pick up the bag. It's heavy, and I pull at the laces, opening it.

Reaching inside, I find it's full of gold coins with the same skull and flowers engraved on them. I take one out and study it, knowing it isn't fake. These are real, and worth a lot of money.

Why does she have these?

And why is she hiding them from me?

The air in my lungs turns stale. If I've learned one thing, The Underworld doesn't give you things for free.

What did my wife do to earn these?

Flashbacks of the Binding of Flesh ceremony race through my mind. My stomach flips, and my heart pounds so hard it might explode. I squeeze a coin in my fist and glance at my reflection in the mirror. I attempt to calm myself down, but it's pointless. I stalk into the bedroom.

Zara steps out of the closet, looking as beautiful as always, in a purple pencil skirt and matching blazer, and designer cream blouse.

I hold the coin up in front of her. "Something you want to tell me?"

She glances at my hand and pins her eyebrows together. "What is that?"

"You tell me," I state.

Fire burns in her eyes as she seethes, "Don't you dare try to accuse me of something. So tell me whatever this charade of yours is, because I'm not into your games, Sean." She goes over to the bed, sits down, then slides her heels onto her feet.

I cross the room, dump the coins onto the bed, and toss the empty bag next to them. I point at her names, accusing, "You're going to tell me you have no idea where this came from?"

She gapes at all the coins and picks one up. "Is this real gold?"

"Don't play with me, Zara. I want to know how you got this!"

Her eyes turn to slits. "I've never seen these before in my life."

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