Page 85 of Sadistic

"So he's running?"

"Maybe." I pull her closer. "Or maybe he's planning something. Either way, we'll be ready."

"We," she repeats. "I like the sound of that."

"Get used to it. In nine days, it's going to be us for the rest of our lives."

"That's either a promise or a threat."

"Both," I say, echoing our earlier exchange. "Definitely both."

She falls asleep in my arms, trusting and content.

I stay awake longer, plans within plans spinning through my mind.

Njal to find, a wedding to secure, an empire to run, and now a wife who's becoming so much more than an arrangement.

Nine days.

I can hardly wait.

Then again, I’ve been waiting for this day for years.

CHAPTER NINE

Revna

The pounding on my door at 7 AM on a Saturday should be illegal.

I stumble out of bed, wrapping myself in a robe, ready to murder whoever thinks this is acceptable.

"Open up, bride-to-be!" Rhiannon's voice carries through the door. "We've got places to go!"

I yank open the door to find my future sister-in-law grinning like a maniac, Dalla hovering behind her looking guilty.

"What the hell?—"

"Surprise!" Rhiannon pushes past me into the apartment. "Pack a bag. We're going to Vegas, like right the fuck now!"

"I'm sorry," Dalla says, following her in. "She threatened to break down the door if I didn't give her my key."

"Vegas?" I'm still processing. "Rhiannon, I have studying?—"

"Fuck studying." Her Irish accent makes the curse sound almost musical. "You're getting married in a week. We're having a proper hen party."

"It's called a bachelorette party here," I correct automatically.

"Whatever you want to call it, we're doing it." She heads for my bedroom. "Come on, I'll help you pack. Need something slutty for the clubs."

"I'm not going to Vegas."

"Oh yes you are." Greer appears in my doorway, looking far too put-together for this early. "The jet's waiting."

"Jet?"

"Did you think we were flying commercial?" She says it like the idea is absurd. "Everly's already at the airport with Elfe. Your mother and Charm are meeting us there."

"My mom's coming?" This keeps getting more surreal.

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