Page 124 of Buried in Blood

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Her fingers toy with the hem of my shirt. “About the wedding?”

“About marryingme.”

She pretends to think, squinting at the ceiling. “Well, youarea reformed control freak with a God complex and a morally gray hobby list—”

“Wow.”

“—but you’re also the only person who’s ever made me feel like surviving wasn’t a punishment.”

My heart stutters.

I reach over and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

She smiles again. “I’m glad you’re going with Dante. He needs you.”

“He pretends he doesn’t.”

“Which means he needs you more.”

We sit in silence for a minute, letting the moment breathe.

Then she says, “You better not get shot.”

“No promises.”

I squeeze her thigh. “Everything’s set?”

“Venue’s prepped. The dress is hidden. Guest list’s locked.” She pauses. “Evelyn’s writing her speech and crying over every word.”

“And you?”

“I’m just trying to make it to tomorrow without accidentally lighting something on fire.”

I grin. “That’s my girl.”

I kiss her temple, lingering just long enough for her to melt a little against me.

Then I stand, stretching. “Alright. Time for me to go pretend Dante and I actually like each other.”

She grabs my wrist. “Lucien.”

I turn.

Her eyes are soft. Serious. “Come back in one piece.”

I crouch in front of her and press our foreheads together.

“I will.”

“Because if you don’t,” she whispers, “I’m still marrying you. But I’ll raise Hell with your corpse.”

I chuckle. “Noted.”

She kisses me once—quick, sweet, grounding.

“Go,” she says. “Before I change my mind and drag you back to bed.”

I smirk. “You say that like it’s a threat.”

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