Page 123 of Inside the Wicked

I relax.Thank fuck.

“Good. Because I’m still missing that ring,” I say.

Rix gets up, heading to the shallow platform, where there’s an old stone podium.

Passing Silas, I meet his eyes and say, “I’m surprised you didn’t burst into flames past the threshold.”

I don’t think I’ve ever heard him genuinely chuckle without any edge of taunting or teasing. It sheds a new light on him, and just for a flicker, I see the human under the wicked devil.

“I did feel the heat, but it seems I’m spared another day considering my charity in being part of this sad audience.”

“You can’t miss your last ever graduation,” Rhett says.

My head snaps up to him, then I look around and it settles, the realization of why everyone came. Even Silas.

“Oh my god,” I whisper, stunned and overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness.

“I think this is the only place you’ve called for him where he might approve.”

I whack my purse against Rhett’s chest for his deviance.

Rix is holding my diploma, and I shift a look at Adam as we pass, having no doubt he’s the reason they got it. Our eyes speak of all the friendship and gratitude between us.

I flush as Rhett helps me to the side of the small platform, and even though everyone here is a friend in some way or another, I’m awash with nerves at the attention. At the fact they all showed up to this ridiculous place for a mock graduation just for me.

“This is too much,” I say. It comes out as a croak through the marble in my throat.

“Nothing is too much for you,” Rhett says.

A cap is placed on my head from behind, and my hand reaches to steady it in place. I turn to find Adam holding a gown too.

“I’m guessing this is not a rental,” I muse, sliding my arms into the sleeves.

“I’m sure they won’t miss one gown,” he says deviously.

I smile, so full of joy, and wordlessly step into it. Adam’s embrace is slightly tense, and I can only imagine Rhett’s frightening stare on him from behind me.

“All right, take your places, and let’s get this ceremony on the go,” Rix calls.

Rhett plants a kiss to my head before stepping down and sitting in the front row. He’s so devastatingly handsome, and the most caring, loving, and darkly alluring man I’ve ever known. Getting to call him mine explodes my chest every time.

“We’re gathered here today?—”

“Wrong opening line,” Adam calls. “Not a wedding.”

“Fuck you, asshole. This is my graduation setup,” Rix bites back.

I giggle, my eyes blurring with tears of glee that tremble me. Rhett watches me as if I’m the only thing in the world to him. He’s utterly lost to me in this moment, and it steals my breath.

“We’re gathered here to celebrate the underdog of the class of 2024,” Rix goes on. He casts me a prideful smile. “I never thought I’d hold one of these in my life,” he says, holding up the blue diploma. “And honestly, it might be making me jealous. Ana, I haven’t known you that long, but I plan to know you for a lifetime.”

My first tear spills, and I have to bite my lip to keep myself together. Adam comes back up, taking the diploma from Rix, who comes over to hug me tightly.

“I may have a little brother, but I’ve always wanted a badass little sister,” he mumbles into me.

I chuckle through my tears. Rix is the big brother I never had, and he is more than worth the wait.

He steps down and sits next to Rhett, who’s still smiling fondly.

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