Page 147 of Vendetta Vows

"Today? TODAY?" Each word explodes with disbelief. "What the actual fuck, Aurora? You've known him for what, a couple of weeks? And you just decided to casually get married without telling me? Your best friend?"

"It wasn't like that."

"Then what was it like? Because from where I'm sitting, it sounds like you lost your goddamn mind!"

"It's complicated."

"No shit it's complicated! Did you even think this through? Who even does that? Was this before or after Sienna Voss tried to destroy your life? Jesus Christ, Aurora!"

I close my eyes and let her words wash over me. I deserve this.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Sorry you didn't tell me? That's what you're sorry about? Not the fact that you married a complete stranger who. Wait." Her voice drops suddenly. "What else aren't you telling me?"

"There's so much more I need to tell you. So much that Ican'ttell you over the phone."

"Then let's meet." Hannah's voice is firm, leaving no room for argument. "Right now."

"We can't." The words come out sharper than I intended.

"Why not?" The hurt in her voice stabs at me.

"Because..." I close my eyes, pressing my forehead against my knees. "Things are different now. My situation is different."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means I can't just walk out the front door anymore, Hannah." I glance toward the window where I know men patrol the grounds in the dark. "It's complicated."

"Aurora, you're freaking me out. Are you saying you're not allowed to leave?"

"No! No, it's not like that." I sigh and rub my temples. "Or maybe it is. I don't know how to explain this."

"Try," she snaps. "Because from where I'm standing, it sounds like you've gotten yourself from something bad into something worse."

"It's not." I hesitate. "Ruslan is just protective."

"Aurora, listen to yourself! You're practically under house arrest right now! How is that protective?"

"Because when I'm here, I feel safe!" My voice rises with frustration.

"Safe?" Hannah's voice drips with disbelief. "Aurora, nothing about this sounds safe."

"You don't understand."

"Then help me understand! Because my best friend disappeared for over a week after we both saw someone get killed in front of us. Then suddenly she's married to a man she barely knows. And now she's telling me she can't leave his house? Do you know what that sounds like to me? It sounds to me like you've been kidnapped and forced into a marriage you don't want!"

"Okay, when you put it like that..." I trail off, closing my eyes.

"I'm coming over." Her voice softens slightly. "Drop me a pin?"

"I can't."

"The hell you can't!"

"It's not safe for you to come here," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "You don't understand what you'd be walking into. What if Kristofer is already in L.A.? I can't risk him seeing you!"

"Aurora, even if Kristofer saw that post, there's no way he's in L.A. right now. It's been less than an hour!" Hannah pauses. "And let's be real, you need someone who actually cares about you there right now."

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