Page 31 of Darkness Tempt Me
“I can’t believe you’re getting married.” Hunter chuckles as soon as I answer the phone. “Isn’t getting married on the thirteenth considered bad luck? Either way, I bet your mom is over the moon.”
“She is,” I growl. “And myfiancéinsisted we get married on the thirteenth. It was his only request. It’s the least I can do.Anyway, this phone is hooked up to our secure line for important shit that needs to be taken seriously, not some gossip line.”
“Now, now. No need to be a dick. I got you a wedding present.”
I roll my eyes. “Hanging up now.”
“Adam Costa is tied up in my playroom,” he tells me. The news has me jolting upright.
Just like his deceased brother, Anthony, before him, Adam Costa, ex-mayor of New Vernon, has been averynaughty boy. His case was dismissed because of a lack of evidence, questionable phone records, and nobody offering to testify. In other words, it’s nothing concrete. Either way, I’m pretty sure the asshole paid someone off, but I don’t have any proof.
He sent one of his victims a blurry photo of herself, beaten and bloody, just hours after his case was dropped. The fucker should really learn how to cover his tracks better. A handwritten threat on the photo promised that next time she wouldn’t live long enough to even think about testifying. Hunter always gets extra motivated to torture those who beat the helpless. I’m not surprised he was able to capture the politician, even with his being so high profile.
“I haven’t started yet. Would you like to come join me? I laid out all my pretty toys for Adam to see.” In the background, I can hear Adam screaming.
My breath hitches as Peyton emerges from the fitting room. The light blue sequins on his slim, white tux complement the blue of his eyes. He’s so fucking gorgeous. Suddenly, all those nagging thoughts and questions vanish, and a new, more important one takes their place.
Peyton Chase is mine.
I’m going to send that asshole, Drake Sinclair, a fucking thank-you letter.
There’s a small smile on Peyton’s face as he walks toward me.
“I gotta go, Hunt. You can take care of this one. I already had the pleasure of burning his brother with a fire torch.”
Hunter bursts into laughter. “Damn, I forgot about that one. We couldn’t get the stench out of your playroom for days.”
“Make the asshole suffer. And if you’re feeling generous, save the killing blow for me,” I say quickly, hanging up the phone before Peyton can hear.
“What do you think?” Peyton twirls, the sequins sparkling brightly.
Stunning.
Perfect.
Everything.
“You quite literally stole my breath away. Seriously, don’t bother with the rest. This is the one, little light.”
Chapter twenty
Peyton
“You know, for city hall, the ceremony room is actually quite nice.”
I rush over to my friend and throw my arms around her, grateful she’s here. Iris is in a stunning floor-length baby-blue gown.
“I don’t know, I kind of like it,” I reply as soon as I let her go. The room is decorated with twinkling fairy lights, and there’s a stunning gazebo decked out in flowers that are so beautiful, I can’t quite tell if they’re real or fake. Either way, they’ll be nice in photos.
“I always thought a city hall wedding meant you just signed the marriage contract in front of some smelly government worker and left.” Iris laughs.
“Actually, that was an option. But they have this room for those who book it ahead of time. We only get it for thirty minutes total, but it’s nice. Nicer than I ever could have hoped for.”
Iris gives me a curious stare. “Are you sure about this, Peyton? I knew you had a crush on the boss, but I had no idea you two were actually dating. Isn’t this all a little fast?”
“It was casual,” I say, sticking to the story Mavik and I came up with. “We never made anything official because we didn’t want to cross any lines. But then we realized it’d been a while since either of us had been with anyone else or even thought of anyone else. We confessed our feelings, and I don’t know, I just don’t want to be with anyone else but him. He’s it for me.” The bitterness of the lies mixed with the truth sours my stomach. Part of what I just said is true. Not that Mavik and I have ever hooked up or had sex, but I haven’t been with anyone since meeting him. And when I’m home alone, his name is the only name that tumbles from my lips when I’m moaning in the heat of passion.
Iris fake swoons dramatically with the back of her hand pressed to her forehead. “That’s awfully romantic. It makes sense, though. You two have just always seemed to click together.”
