Page 23 of Blood and Redemption

As much as I don’t want to make his smile disappear, I can’t help but lean in and kiss him. Something soft and sweet to show him just how happy he’s mademe.

“Worst case, we could run away,” I suggest half-jokingly.

Rocco sighs before shaking his head. “I’ve already got the biggest family in the state trying to ruin me. No offense, but your brother might actually kill me without hesitation if I think about stealing you away. Trust me, I have thought about it.”

His smile returns, and he hardly looks bothered.

“We can deal with him tomorrow, together.” Pecking the corner of his mouth, I sigh as I rest my head against his shoulder.

The weight of exhaustion is too great, and I can’t help but succumb to the lure of rest.

* * *

Telling Ren goes smoother than I expected—probably because Rocco hasn’t bothered pretending to sleep on the couch.

One look at us the following morning, and Ren didn’t need to ask. By the time I admitted what we’d done—thanks to Rocco’slack of hiding what happened with the spots all over my body—his anger didn’t simmer, it ignited.

But Ren’s always been pragmatic. Strangling Rocco wouldn’t return my innocence. So he settled on the next best thing.

Marriage. A way to secure Rocco to my side, to tie him down.

Maybe he thought Rocco would get scared and try to leave. I don’t know, maybe that was the kind of man he was in the past.

However, the subject of marriage drew him closer, leading to a kiss right in front of my brother.

Like he enjoys testing his luck with Ren, the green light has done nothing but make him braver.

I don’t mind all the attention. In fact, I love it.

While Ren can figure out how to rush us along, there’s a wedding much bigger to face than the union between Rocco and me.

His sister’s. Thankfully, it’s just in time to help distract both men.

So now, it’s time to face that ruined invitation hanging on the fridge.

It’s time to go to the wedding.

11

Rocco

Aurora in that dress is fucking lethal.

Her hair’s braided back, exposing the flutter of her pulse at her throat, the pink heat creeping up her neck. Every glance at her feels like a punch to the gut—how the hell am I supposed to think straight when she looks like that? Any man with half a heartbeat would drop to his knees for her.

And me? I’m already gone.

“She shouldn’t have come.” Ren’s voice grates from the driver’s seat, the same useless mantra for the tenth time. If he had his way, she’d be locked up somewhere safe, untouched.

Fuck that.

“I’ll keep her safe,” I murmur, but my fingers trace the hem of her dress instead, skirting higher. Her thighs press together instinctively—one flick of my wrist, and I could have them parting for me right here.

Aurora’s smarter than both of us. Her hand clamps around my wrist, her blush deepening to crimson.

“Are you doing all right? With everything we’re about to walk into…” Keeping her voice low enough for only me to hear, she’s got concern written all over her face.

I haven’t tried to come off as nervous. In fact, I’ve used this woman as a pleasant distraction.

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