Page 115 of Every Which Way

Charlie didn’t stand up. He sat there with a pinched expression, looking a little bit…scared. Because he thought she might kick him again?

“How are you, Charlie?” She shot him a look, full of mirth because she was so over this, ready to flip out and start raging as loud as she could.

Anytime now.

The senator grabbed her arm and shoved her toward the judge. “Shut up.”

She looked back to see him turn to Laney and her mother.

“Would one of you care to remind her what happens if this doesn’t go forward?”

Adrielle whimpered.

Laney said, “Kenna,” and it sounded like a moan.

“Sorry.” She stood between the judge and the senator and counted six guys. Four goons who probably had guns, Charlie, and the judge. She probably couldn’t take them all out, but she could kill the senator with the knife tucked down the front of her dress.

Woodford studied her. “They should’ve fixed your hair.”

“You should’ve given us more time.”

“Let’s just say I’m…eager to go through with this.”

“Gross.” She turned to the judge. “You’re really fine being complicit in this? Isn’t it against the law that you agreed to uphold?”

“Weddings are happy occasions for everyone.”

“Sure they are.” This guy seemed like he was on something. He couldn’t seriously be this delusional, could he?

Woodford moved to stand next to her, and she heard a beep. When she looked over, he had his hand around the dead man’s switch. “Just in case.”

“Why do you even want to be married to me? I’ll make every day miserable for you, relentlessly, until you’re so tired of it you want to drive your car off a bridge.”

Someone snorted.

Woodford ignored it. “As enjoyable as it would be to take you to every society party I can get an invitation to, I’m sure you’ll much prefer spending your life in a comfortable room. With padded walls. Bearing my children.” He leaned close. “All of them.”

“Two…seven…twenty? How many are we talking?”

Woodford glared at her. “As many as I like, until you die.”

“Seems inefficient.”

“On the contrary, it will serve a great purpose and keep many of our women in line. You will be the example to all of a life well lived.”

Kenna pressed her lips together.

“Silence is a wise choice. Until you say, ‘I do.’”

“You can’t make me say it.”

Woodford waved the switch in his right hand. “I think I can. Unless you want to say it with brain matter on that dress.”

It was already ruined just by the fact she had to wear it standing with this guy. A man who seriously thought she was going to agree to this?

But her defiance would cost Laney’s and Adrielle’s lives.

He grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face the judge, who cleared his throat.

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