Page 16 of Wicked Oath
“Wonderful,” he growls.
The minute I hang up, I feel like I just signed away my soul to the devil.
I change into a cute dress that’s both simple and elegant. If I’m going to see James, I’m going to put my best foot forward.
After Garret arrives, I get into the car and tell him to take me to the rings.
“We’re going back there?” he asks, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. “Why?”
“Because that’s where James wants to meet.” At Garret’s dubious expression, I say, “Trust me with this, Garret. You’ll be there. What can go wrong?”
Finally, he shrugs. “You’re right. No Lucy with us this time?”
“No.” I don’t want Lucy getting in the way of the time I spend with James. Besides, she’d just complain about not getting to see Owen.
I still haven’t told her that I’m getting married. That feels like something I need to say in person. Plus, Lucy is known for overreacting, and I’m not in the mood for that today.
My heart beats fast all the way to the rings. Once I see the building, I feel like I might pass out.
“I’ll stay by your side,” Garret tells me as we approach the door. It’s so different in the light of day. No one outside waiting in a long line. No loud thumping bass inside. When Garret opens the door for me, the room feels smaller without people in it.
One thing remains the same, and that’s the grunting I hear as I round the corner and see James in the ring, punching and kicking a punching bag. A couple of other men mingle around the room, chatting. A few practice sparring with each other in a smaller ring near the back of the room.
I stop short. I assumed it would just be James and me.
A couple of the men glance at me as I walk farther into the room. I feel so silly in my summer dress when all these men are clothed in black. A few of them rake their eyes over me in a way that makes me want to cower behind Garret. When one of the men—a guy with a scar over one side of his face—looks at me like he wants to eat me, I actually step behind Garret. He senses my nerves and stands up taller, trying to protect me.
James finally stops punching the bag and looks toward me. He’s covered in sweat, but it looks good on his bare muscular chest. God, his chest. He’s so handsome it hurts.
His eyes meet mine in an intense stare before he looks away and jumps down from the ring. I watch as he approaches the guy with the scar and speaks to him quietly. Scar guy nods his head and motions at the other men. The sound of chairs clattering echoes through the room as the group of men stand up and walk out of the room, following Scar guy.
Then it’s just me, Garret, and James left.
He turns his green eyes back onto me. “You don’t need to fear those men, baby. They work for me, is all.”
I look around Garret. “What were you doing?”
“Just business. Now, you can stop hiding behind your guard.”
I start to walk around Garret when he stops me. “I’m here to protect Olivia. If you don’t mind, she can stay behind me if she wants.”
James smirks as he approaches Garret, standing toe to toe with him. He’s quiet as he stares Garret down. I can see Garret visibly gulp. That’s the effect James has on people. “I think we should ask Olivia what she wants.” James looks at me. “Olivia?”
I hesitate before stepping closer to James.
“Olivia,” Garret hisses.
“It’s ok,” I tell him. “I’ll be fine. James will be my husband soon. I’m not scared.”
The look on James’s face speaks to how smug he feels. “You hear that, guard? My soon-to-be wife and I would like some alone time if you don’t mind.”
“I do mind.” Garret threateningly steps closer to James.
I look between the two men. “It’s all right. We don’t need to fight.” I turn to Garret and place my hand on his arm. Out of the corner of my eye, I see James looking at it. “Garret, I would like to talk to James alone. It would be easier to get to know him without you hovering over us. You can go wait in the car.”
“But your father wants me to keep an eye on you.”
“And you are by being here.” I keep my voice warm and gentle. This is the best way to get Garret to do what I want. “And you’ll just be outside if I need you. I promise I’ll call if anything goes wrong, but it won’t. Can you do this for me? Please?”
