"I honestly have no fucking clue. I've never had a run-in with her, but I'm sure as hell going to find out."
"If this girl only befriended Tova to get to us, I want her brought to me." Z’s brow lifts.
"Soon the news will spread about what Tova means to me. It's only a matter of time. Others will see this as a weak spot for me. I'm going to make it real fucking clear to everyone that if you hurt my wife, I'll be collecting in blood."
"War, she's some hacker. I don't see why she would?—"
"I don't care." I can’t and won’t risk anything when it comes to Tova’s safety.
"I thought you wanted to clean up the family name. To go straighter?"
"I did."
"Did?" Z locks eyes with me. "Got it." He gets the message loud and clear.
"Does that bother you?" I ask. Not that it’s going to change anything. I can’t even control it anymore. Z thinks it over for a second.
"That you'll burn it all down for her alone?" I hadn't gone that deep in those thoughts. I only knew that I would choose Tova every time. "Tova is a sweet girl."
"Don't." How the fuck would he know how sweet she is? He doesn't.
"Hey." He barks a laugh, shaking his head. "I was only going to say I think everyone is safe as long as they don't go after your wife. And she's sweet, so I don't think she'll send her dragon after people."
"Dragon?"
"Yeah, because you'll burn down the city." I suppose I would if I was trying to find her or someone touched her.
"My thoughts aren't rational when it comes to her," I tell my brother. Who the fuck else can I talk to about it?
"Yeah, I'm getting that, but you've always been the obsessive type when it comes to things and tasks." I have. "Not a person, though."
She's not just a person. In my mind, she is much bigger than that. The more time I spend with her, the closer she lets me get, the stronger those feelings are becoming. I’m finding my thoughts and possessiveness know no bounds when it comes to her.
I wasn't lying to my little mouse. She should be very careful about putting anything between us.
My father is playing a dangerous game… We might all lose in the end.
Chapter Thirteen
TOVA
You're different.
I can’t stop thinking about those two words. I’m not sure what to make of them. Then again, it’s difficult to read Warren. I make up my own narratives in my mind about him. I’m always trying to make them sweet. I should really lay off of the romance books because Warren was right: I am naïve, especially when it comes to him.
I turn my head slightly to peek over at my now husband. This whole thing has been a whirlwind since I woke up this morning. We’d been going nonstop. The next thing I knew, I was walking down the aisle to Warren. I was thankful the vows were short and to the point.
When Warren leaned in for the kiss, he surprised me by only kissing the side of my mouth. It felt awkward when everyone clapped for us. There were about fifty people at the wedding. I didn’t know anyone except for Warren’s family and my own. I was thrilled to see Cosima, Warren’s sister. I don’t think she’s been back in over a year.
“Yes, I’m still staring.” Warren catches me sneaking a peek over at him.
“Why?”
“Because I won’t be able to when we enter the reception.” We’re waiting to be formally introduced as a married couple. Everyone is taking their seats now.
Giant tents have been put up for the reception. They sure as heck don’t appear like tents. Inside, chandeliers hang from the ceilings, and flowers coat everything. They’ve made them look like fancy ballrooms. I haven't a clue how our moms and Warren put this all together in such a short time. I guess when the sky's the limit when it comes to money, there aren’t any obstacles to get in your way.
“Is it forbidden?” I tease.