Page 176 of Mexico Can Choke On It
“It’s handled, Judith. Bryce understands his responsibilities. He has the ring, and he knows he has no choice in the matter. He will propose to Amanda tonight, and then this indiscretion will be forgiven.”
Holy shit, they’re forcing him to get married. That’s some Bridgerton-level manipulation.
Bryce is still an asshole, but at least he’s not a cheating asshole.
A soft piano melody begins, joined by the warm, low hum of a cello. Through the small opening in the curtains, I see the altar. As rehearsed, Hana is the first to sashay down the aisle, eyes already shimmering with happy tears.
The crowd “oohs” and “ahhs” when Miss Muffy trots down the aisle with paws of confidence. She’s wearingmypeach bridesmaid’s dress, altered to fit her pint-sized form. Her tiny tiara glitters under the chandeliers.
Damnit. She wore it better!
Finally, Echo steps into view, with Fiona gliding beside him like a bridal grim reaper, beautiful and deadly. The guests rise with murmurs of appreciation as Fiona meets my brother. Gavin stands gallantly at the altar, the personification of a romantic hero in every way.
The police should be here by now.
The ceremony is flying by. No sooner has Hana wrapped up her reading of “Love is patient, love is kind” when Gavin starts his vows.
“Fi, you hold a permanent seat on the board of my heart. And I vow to keep showing up—even when the market’s down.”
I need a plan!I can’t reveal the truth about Fiona’s crimes without tipping her off. If she smells trouble, she’ll scurry away with Echo like the roaches they are.
Fiona’s already reciting her vows. “You are my timeless piece, my Rolex watch. I want to be your forever plus one.”
They’re almost to the kiss.Do I really have to blow this up myself? Where the hell are the cops?There should be sirens and a raid happening. Somebody should’ve burst in shouting “Hands up!” already.
“We will now exchange rings,” the officiant proclaims.
FUCK.
That’s when I hear it—my personal soundtrack kicking in. The opening guitar riff of Joan Jett’s“Bad Reputation”blares in my head like it did in high school, and suddenly I know exactly what to do.
I’m going to let every rich prick in this tent believe I am the reckless, chaotic screw-up they always assumed. I’m going to give them a show they’ll never forget.
This is something I can't come back from. Something only I can do.
They will whisper. They will clutch their pearls. And when I’m done, there will be no doubt I don’t belong here. No chance to ever be respected, much less accepted.
Bryce will see me and finally understand—we were never meant to be.
But this isn’t about me.
I’m doing this for my brother.
Time to live up to my reputation.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
BRYCE
“Sterling?Thering?”
Gavin’s voice crashes through my headspace. I’ve been numb the entire ceremony, too lost in thought. But his glare? Oh, Ifeelthat. If it could, it would push me off the nearest cliff.
I fumble in my jacket pocket, fingers searching frantically. When my hand emerges, two rings sit in my palm—the diamond wedding band for Fiona, and the ruby ring.Petra’sring.
The one I’ve been carrying around like a complete fool.
“Quite the jewelry collection,” he says with a snarl.
