Realityslams back into me, the impending wedding, my wedding, that’s set for tomorrow. “What do we do? We can’t just walk into a courthouse and sign papers in the middle of the night.”
Sinsmirks, a glint of amusement cutting through the intensity.“Who said anything about a courthouse?”
I raise a brow. “Sin.”
His smirk grows. “Let me handle it.”
I exhale sharply, nodding.
Hethreads his fingers through mine.“We do this, there’s no going back.”
I hold his gaze,steady and unshaken.
“There was never any going back. The moment they decided to marry me into another family, is the same moment they lost me.” I will love my family, but only on my terms.
He squeezes my hand. “Then let’s go.”
The drive is ablur of streetlights and shadows, the city stretching out around us as Sin’s driver takes us somewhere I don’t recognize.
Myheart hammers as I look at him.“Where are we going?”
Singlances at me, his hand still tangled with mine.“Somewhere safe.”
The weight of what we’re about to dopresses down on me.
Myfingers tighten around his.“I should be scared.”
Heturns fully to face me, his thumb tracing absent circles along my skin.“Are you?”
Iexhale softly.“No.” A smile beaming from my lips, I’m going to be Sin Donati’s wife. What a better way to unite the families, that is the root of what Cameron wanted after all. An alliance. I hope one day he sees that this is what I wanted, this is what is best for me.
His lipscurve into something softer than a smirk but not quite a smile.“Good.”
The carslows in front of a gated house, nothing grand, nothing extravagant, but secure. Safe.
Sinsteps out first, then reaches back for me.
I take his handwithout hesitation.
Inside, a man waits, someone older, his presence steady and familiar to Sin.
Henods at me before turning to Sin. “You sure about this, Donati?”
Sin’sgrip on me tightens.“Never been more sure of anything in my life.”
The maneyes us for a long moment, a smile trailing his lips. “Then let’s make it official.”
I swallow hard,my heart pounding as we step inside.
And just like that, with ink, paper, and whispered promises.
Magnolia Rusco becomes Magnolia Donati.
SEVENTEEN
Theink on the paper is still wet.
I stare at the signature, my signature, etched in bold black ink across the page.