Page 25 of Brutal Mercy

Once everyone is in position, with Hades on the chaise beside me, holding my hand as if we are truly a pair of lovebirds, the priest begins his sermon. Blathering on about what marriage means in the eyes of the Church and the responsibilities for us as we enter into the bonds of holy matrimony. His words make me want to roll my eyes. Until he reaches the vows portion of the ceremony.

It doesn’t get more real than this. I’m about to promise to love, honor, and cherish a man I’ve known for less than forty-eight hours.

“Now, if you’ll turn toward each other and hold hands. We’ll begin with Luna and then Hades for the recitation of the vows.”

Hades helps me shift toward him. I’m struck by the possessive light in his eyes. He really wants this, wants me. And my fears fall by the wayside. There’s no fighting this path. And I realize he says he’s a bad man. But he’s been good to me.

“Luna, if you’ll repeat after me.”

I nod and listen to the vows he wants me to recite before I repeat them. “I, Luna Maya Abbott, take you, Hades Alessandro Massimo, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold until this day forward, in sickness and death, for richer or poorer, as long as we both shall live.”

“Good, and now Hades repeat after me,” Father Rosario says.

With his eyes blazing, Hades’s voice is loud and clear. “I, Hades Alessandro Massimo, take you, Luna Maya Abbott, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold until this day forward, in sickness and in death, for richer or poorer, as long as we both shall live.”

“Perfect. Do you have the rings?” Father Rosario looks to Hades.

But it’s his brother, Ares, who withdraws two rings from his pocket. Shock fills me. When did he have time to get us rings? Will mine fit? Did he have my ring finger measured while I was asleep?

Ares hands Father Rosario the rings. The priest intones a blessing over them.

“If you would each take the rings.”

I pick up the thick black band while Hades takes the smaller one.

“Good. Now Luna, I want you to put the ring on Hades and repeat the words, with this ring, I thee wed.”

With trembling fingers, I slide it onto his ring finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

“And now Hades.”

Hades’s fingers graze me as he slides the ring on my third finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

The innocuous contact has shivers racing through me. Glancing down at our joined hands, I can’t believe the ring fits. And it’s perfect. It’s a simple platinum band encrusted with diamonds. This is the first time in my life that I’ve worn diamonds.

“Lovely. By the power vested in me by God and the state of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Hades cradles my face between his massive palms. Anticipation fills me as he lowers his mouth.

But nothing prepared me forhiskiss. Hades’s lips mold themselves over mine, moving with possessive claim until I sigh into the kiss, no longer fighting my attraction, and my body simply melts into him. I’ve kissed boys before, but they were never like this. Because the moment his lips touched mine, my world ground to a halt. And his mouth on mine became the focal point of my universe.

Then he lifts his mouth.

I bite back a whimper at the loss. My head is spinning. My lips buzz from where they touched his. And I suddenly can’t wait for us to be alone.

Any nerves I had about joining him in bed diminish. If his kiss turns me inside out, what will his lovemaking do?

The next fifteen minutes are spent signing the marriage certificate, drinking champagne, and having his sister take pictures of us.

Athena has Hades settle me on his lap and position me so I face him with one arm curled around his neck while he holds its twin and kisses my knuckles, staring at me with such heat it’s a wonder I don’t self-immolate.

She takes dozens of pictures until she seems satisfied that she got the money shot for the announcement of our nuptials.

Hades rises and hands Father Rosario a thick envelope. I don’t see what’s inside, but I’m assuming it's cash. And then he’s escorting him out of the room while his maid Gabriella wheels dinner in. On the small bistro table, she artfully arranges our wedding feast.

We could live in this room if necessary.

The room suddenly empties of everyone but Hades and me. And I’m left alone with my husband. It feels so weird saying it. Hades is my husband. My last name is Massimo. Although I like the way my name sounds. Luna Massimo.

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