Page 142 of Corrupt Me

Surrounded by my friends who are next to their loved ones, longing spreads through me, leaving behind a desert only Bailey can turn into an oasis.

And then I feel her. My heart picks her up, reacting to her nearness and revving up my entire being. I turn, and she enters the ballroom with Cassandra at her side. It takes everything in me to stay in place. It helps that both Kaden and Blake have their palms planted on my shoulders.

Taking Bailey in, I swallow at the sight of her. She’s so beautiful I ache everywhere to kiss her, inhale her sweet scent, and bury myself so deep inside of her that we’ll never be separated again.

She’s wearing a black A-line, knee-length dress, and I smile at her choice. Though elegant, I’ve never seen her in that color. Her strawberry hair flows in curls down her back, revealing her slender neck, the necklace I gifted her decorating her chest. Her aquamarine eyes find mine, a torrent of emotions rippling in them.

Kaden and Blake’s grip on me tightens, and I snarl low. “Let go before I make a scene.”

They both release me, and I am the first to head over to greet thehappycouple, our friends not far behind.

What do you say to the woman you love on the day of her engagement party to someone else? My brain and heart are in a permanent war, waging a bloodbath inside of me, leaving me to perish in the aftermath.

The rational part of me accepts that this is nothing in the grand scheme of things. The emotional side can’t tolerate it though—it won’t be my ring on her finger tonight.

“Ma’am,” I greet Cassandra and kiss her on her cheek.

“This is hard, but remember your duty.”

Family first and foremost.Just because the ruler changed doesn’t mean the legacy will become secondary.

I give a strained nod and move on to Bailey, who gulps, avoiding my glance.

“Look at me,” I demand, but my voice cracks at the end.

“I can’t,” she whispers.

Leaning in, I kiss the corner of her mouth, and she sucks in a breath. “You’re beautiful.”

“Even if I’m wearing black?”

I try for some levity. “Even if you were wearing a burlap sack. I hope you won’t wear black to our engagement.”

She looks up at me then. Time stands still for a moment, and we’re the only people in our little world.

“I’d wear red,” she murmurs.

Passion. Life. Love.

I can’t wait to see her like that. I give in to the visual, imagining that I adorn her finger with a diamond that matches her eyes.

A throat clears, dragging me back to reality and cutting off our moment. While my friends have already taken their positions next to the matriarch, I haven’t moved. Cassandra pins me with an intent stare, and I move next to her, completing the lineup.

I shake hands with Eric, applying bone-crunching pressure, and he lets out a small hiss. How I’d like to cut off every one of his fingers and shove them down his throat, choking him to death.

He takes her hand in his and lifts it to his mouth. I am going to break that hand, splinter his wrist, and then split that fucking mouth that kisses what is not his—with my bare hands.

I am inhaling gasoline, so much so that I half expect flames to come out of my nose. Shoving my balled fists into my pockets, I look straight ahead. Not being able to do what my entire being screams to do—claim what’s mine and shout it to everyone, daring them to come between us—fucks me up.

The ballroom brims with incessant chatter and laughter, the air thick with tonight’s celebration. The band plays classical music, the dark notes fitting my somber mood. If I stay here another second, I’ll do something reckless that would hurt the Family.

So I excuse myself and dash out.

The paintings and statues keep me company in the foyer as I stretch out my palm against the wall for support. A soft hand rests on my back, and Celine says, “I’m here for you. What do you need?”

Something she or anyone else can’t give me. Only Bailey.

It reminds me of when I had to console Celine at Kaden and Abigail’s engagement party. That’s how I feel, too—like I can’t breathe.

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