Page 41 of Snow Good to Lose
Amari
Ifinished my lunch. It had no taste but prepared me for whatever was about to happen. The buzz in the air was electric. Not in a good way. The energy in the house was unsettling.
I remained in my room. My dad and Anna had disappeared. I stood and looked out onto the lawn. It was mostly empty except for the staff.
I moved to the door and placed my ear to the wood. Voices and music flowed from the other side of the house. I dragged the door open. It creaked.
My heart stopped. I pulled it more and peeked out. The guard stood at the top of the stairs down the hall, but no longer at my door. I shut the door and steadied my breath.
They dressed me in a white silk robe and the underwear. They had removed my other clothes from the room. I opened the wardrobe, but it was empty.
I sighed and sat down on the bed.
Think, Amari.
Voices grew louder, and footsteps echoed down the hall. Someone or a group of someone’s headed in my direction. This was it. They were coming to get me. I was marrying Johnny.
My throat closed up. I clapped my hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. I was trapped. I stood and ran to the window. I pushed on it to get it to open. It wouldn’t budge. I tried each one, cursing myself for not trying them before. The last one budged, but only an inch. I stuck my hand out and waved, but no one saw me.
As my door opened, I pulled my arm back in and closed the window.
“I’ll only be a minute. I just wanted to see the bride before her big moment.” I recognized Carlos’ voice as my blood throbbed in my ears.
Rage replaced my need to escape. He killed Caden.
I held in a sob. No time for tears. My blood boiled. I steadied myself against the wall, ready to pounce. He stepped in the room with his normal cocky swagger. No regret or remorse for killing my one true love. And now he was here to do what? Offer his fucking blessing.
Two men and another woman followed him, but I only had eyes on him. I was ready to kick his ass and kiss the ass of anyone who tried to stop me.
I had tunnel vision. I got ready, posed, ready to strike. I was ...
“Amari.” A male figure stood in front of me. My eyes blink to focus on the dark pants and dark shirt. His body gave me a warm feeling, which confused my brain.
“Baby.” My gaze moved up his torso, to his neck, his jaw, and lips. I knew those lips. The rest of his face was obscured by large sunglasses and a hoodie.
I stepped forward and removed the glasses and pushed the hood off his head.
“Baby, I’m okay.” Caden’s lips moved, but the words didn’t register. I touched his face to make sure he was real. I ran my fingers over his lips. Perhaps I had given up and wallowed into a fantasy world. If so, I dared anyone to make me give him up again.
Nope. I was good.
My vision blurred as tears flowed out of my eyes and down my cheek. Caden gripped the back of my head and pulled me to him. His lips landed on mine. Pain sparked pleasure in my body. A pleasure so familiar, I gasped and lost use of my limbs.
Caden caught me and picked me up.
“It’s me. I’m okay.” He whispered against my lips and kissed me again.
“How?” I didn’t allow him to answer. I kissed him back. Eager to feel his lip on mine, his tongue swirling with mine. His body was close to mine.
“This is touching, but not the time.” Carlos’ voice broke through and a little of my rage returned.
I leaned back.
“What is going on?”
The entire room shushed me.
“Is this the dress?” The woman in a tight-fitting black dress and heels came out of the bathroom. She held it up. “It will be big on me.” She smacked her lips and disappeared in the bathroom with my dress.
