Page 59 of Barristers & Bones

Roman scowled at Ivan. “Shut up, you aren’t helping me convince him.”

Studying my left hand, I wondered where the thick gold band had come from.

Xander wiped his hand down his face, then pointed to Roman. “If I could think of a better way to protect her, I’d kick your ass.”

I slumped over on my side and started sliding off the bed like an overcooked noodle.

Roman lunged for me, grabbing my hospital gown and pulling me back into the bed. “We don’t have long, let’s get started.”

Xander sighed, then straightened and started reciting words. “Do you, Roman Fowler, take Luna Cross as your wife, and solemnly pledge–”

My heavy eyes flared, and I tugged drunkenly on Roman’s sleeve. “Yourwife?” I slurred.

“Yes, love.”

“Why’s he…?”

“Because we’re getting married. Xander, keep going.”

“Do you, Roman Fowler, solemnly pledge to love and care for Luna, in sickness and health, to take her for your lawfully wedded wife?”

“Yes,” Roman clipped. I started struggling weakly, my brain screaming at me through whatever drug Dr. Douchebag had pumped into my IV.

Ivan sighed loudly next to Xander. “I can’t lie and say I don’t appreciate the titillating view, but your bride’s hospital gown is wide open, and she’s flashing us her tits. It’s distracting. You’re a lucky man, by the way.”

Xander nodded and looked up at the ceiling.

“For fuck’s sake,don’t look,” Roman growled. He pulled the ends of my hospital gown closed, then sat me on his lap and wrapped his palm around my chin to keep my head from flopping over.

“We’re trying not to,” Ivan shot back.

Xander kept doggedly going. “Do you, Luna Cross, solemnly pledge to love and care–”

“Skip to the yes part,” Roman urged.

“Do you take Roman as your lawfully wedded husband?”

I stared at Xander, trying to figure out what he was blathering on about and why he asked me about…. I didn’t know. My eyes drifted shut.

Roman nibbled on my neck, whispering in my ear. “Do you remember what we did in my office yesterday?” I nodded. “Did you like it? Say yes, Sweetness.”

I sighed. “Yes.”

Xander’s voice rose. “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

My eyes flared open, and I tried to get my brain to understand what was happening.

Ivan stepped forward and laid… something on the bedside table. “You need to have her sign this.”

Roman sat behind me, cradling my body between his legs. “I’ll help you. Just sign right here.” He put the pen in my hand and wrapped his own around it.

“I… read…” I slurred, then trailed off, closing my eyes and forgetting what I wanted to say. “So tired.”

“You can sleep after you sign it. You can shut your eyes then,” Roman murmured.

I rested my heavy head back against Roman’s chest and felt him move my hand with his own, signing the paper with me. Their voices sounded far away, and I couldn’t think anymore.

Roman gently picked me up and laid me in the bed as he spoke to his men. “Ivan, see if you can get this filed tonight. The marriage license office in Downtown Vegas closes at midnight. Can you get there in twenty minutes?”

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