Page 73 of Betrayed By Sin
I close my eyes, letting the heat of him wash over me. “Forever with you,” I whisper.
The car is silent except for the steady hum of the engine and the faint rhythm of rain beginning to tap against the windshield. I sitnext to Sin, hands folded in my lap, heart hammering in a slow, uncertain rhythm. My body is here, in this car, in this moment, but my mind keeps replaying last night, the quiet notary, the whispered vows, the warmth of Sin’s hand holding mine.
It was such a whirlwind, romantic and spontaneous. I don’t think it could have been any more perfect, aside from my family not knowing.
Sin shifts beside me, his gaze flicking toward me in the dim morning light. “You’re quiet.”
I let out a breathy laugh. “Quiet? I just got married in the middle of the night to a man my family considers their enemy. I… I don’t even know how to feel.”
His lips twitch into the ghost of a smirk. “Fair point.”
I tilt my head, studying him. “But I love you. I’m so happy to be your wife.”
His grin deepens, dark and magnetic. He entwines his fingers with mine, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’re in this together. Always.”
I let myself relax slightly, leaning into the warmth of him. My stomach is still fluttering with nerves, nervous about returning home, nervous about my family’s reaction, but my heart is soaring. We did it. We’re married.
And I’m about to be at my house, telling my family I married their enemy.
On the day of my wedding to Zeik.
We don’t even make it inside.
The car glides up the driveway, and the front doors swing open. Inside, workers bustle about, carrying flowers, hanging ribbons, adjusting chairs for the wedding that was supposed tohappen today, my wedding to Zeik. My carefully constructed secret feels dangerously exposed now with Sin here, at the Rusco residence.
Bria is at the top of the steps, relief and confusion written across her face. And then, Cameron. Sin and I share a curious glance about Bria’s presence.
Cam stands a few feet behind her, arms crossed, jaw tight. His eyes snap to me like coals on fire as I step out of the black SUV. Fury radiates off of him in waves, and for a fleeting moment, my stomach drops.
Sin tenses beside me, hand never leaving mine.
“Stay here,” he murmurs.
I don’t. My feet move before my mind can catch up. Cameron’s gaze locks onto me. Silence falls, heavy and suffocating. Who does he think he is? Looking at me with such scrutiny when he was the one planning to marry me off to a man I don’t love?
“Where in the fuck have you been?” Cameron’s juts his pointer finger towards me, advancing. Sin steps smoothly in front of me, protective and calm.
“Don’t you dare get in the way of me talking to my fucking sister,” Cameron hisses, shoving at Sin.
Sin doesn’t budge. “Cameron,” he warns, voice low, steady.
“Why the hell are you here, Sin?” Cameron growls, eyes flashing.
I peek around Sin, stepping forward, voice shaking but firm. “He’s here because I know what you were planning, Cameron. To marry me off, without even telling me, not even a warning.”
“You’re too stubborn for a warning!” Anger radiates off of him in waves. “I will do whatever I have to do to secure your place in this world, to keep you safe, Magnolia. Even when you think it’s not good for you. Youwillmarry Zeik Caputo.”
“She won’t.” Sin takes my hand, standing shoulder to shoulder with me. “And you will not raise your voice at my wife again.”
Silence.
Cameron doesn’t respond, not at first. He looks down at my hand, at the new band that circles my ring finger, his face growing paler by the minute.
“Tell me it’s not true.” His voice is quiet, steady. Dangerous.
I swallow hard, fingers curling at my sides. “Cameron…”
“Tell me you didn’t do this.” He backs away like I’ve burned him.
