Chapter 60
MADISON
Iyanked Hailey out of Greyson’s arms and moved a few steps away. “It absolutely shouldn’t happen this way.”
“What?”
I waved my arms as I continued to rant. “The moment should be sweet, endearing, something I’d tell my children one day. It should be over a romantic dinner, or a picnic, and flowers and chocolates should be involved.”
Hailey grabbed my hands to stop my arms. “What are you talking about?”
I lowered my voice as I looked in Pierce’s direction. He was talking to Greyson. Probably planning world domination after they eliminated Jameson as a threat. “The moment I realized I was in love should be magical,” I said.
Her lower lip pouted. “Ah, honey. Do you need me to get the water bottle and spritz you?”
“Very funny. Maybe. I can’t seem to wake up from this particular nightmare. But I’m serious. It definitely shouldn’t be the moment his ex-fiancée boldly kissed him in front of me. That wasn’t a moment I could tell my kids about.”
“Madison. This isn’t real. Greyson said they are just setting a trap.”
“You’re right. Of course, you’re right. But what about yours?”
She looked over her shoulder at Greyson. “Mine isn’t real either, not really.”
“Are you sure?”
“Not really. I mean there was a bishop but that could mean anything. Right?”
My eyes widened. “How should I know?”
Her expression matched mine as she turned to full on stare at Greyson. “Holy fuck. I might actually be married.”
“I know.”
“Like married married.”
“I know!”
She dipped her head close to mine. “We could sneak out the back. You and me. We don’t owe them anything.”
I was tempted to take her up on her offer. There was just one problem. “You love him.”
“What?”
“Greyson—you love him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you the man kidnapped me! He’s arrogant and stubborn and a pain in the ass and—”
“And you love him.”
“Stop saying that. It makes me look insane.”
“Fine. At the very least you like him…a lot.”
“Stop saying that.”
“I’ve known you for ages and I’ve never seen you look at a guy like the way you look at him.”
“Have I mentioned he drives me crazy?”
“I think that’s why you like him.”
She sighed as her shoulders dropped. “Dammit.”
“What?”
“I like him. I might actually be dumb enough to be close to loving him. Son of bitch. I’m in love with my husband.”
“If it helps, I think he’s in love with you, too.”
She shrugged. “Of course, he’s in love with me. I’m a delight.”
Pierce approached. He placed a palm on my lower back. I hated how much I liked it. “We need to start.”
“Okay.”
Greyson wrapped his arm around Hailey’s waist and led her away. She looked over her shoulder at me and mouthed, “it will be fine.”
Pierce smoothed his hand up and down my back. “You’re going to stay here, and I will greet the guests and make the announcement that it is a wedding.”
My stomach clenched. “Okay.”
“Madison, I need you to focus.”
My palms were sweaty. “I am. I’m focused.”
“What did I just say?”
“I don’t know.”
He cupped my face and stood before me. “Skylar doesn’t mean anything to me.”
“I hope not. She did try to kill you.”
“Long before that, but it certainly didn’t help. I want you. I choose you.”
I smirked. “That would be super romantic if your reasons for choosing me weren’t filled with revenge and your framing me for murder.”
“We don’t have the best meet cute, I agree, but I plan to make it up to you.”
“How?”
“I imagine a great deal of sex and jewelry will be involved.”
I lowered my head and stared at his tuxedo bowtie. “You know I don’t care about jewelry.”
“I know. That’s why I love you.”
My gaze snapped up to his. “What did you just say?”
He slipped his hands into my hair and tilted my head back. His lips skimmed mine. “You heard me.”
I breathed in his air. “You love me?”
“Yes.”
“That’s not possible.”
“I assure you it is.”
“We’ve only just met.”
His lips ran along my jaw. “Technically I’ve known you for weeks.”
“You know what I mean.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I do.”
My heart stopped. “This wedding isn’t a sham, is it?”
He slowly shook his head.
“You really intend to marry me tonight.”
He slowly nodded.
“This is all real?”
He kissed my forehead. “Stay here out of sight. When you hear me call your name, it’ll be the time to make your grand entrance down the stairs into the ballroom.”
I clung to the lapels of his tuxedo for a moment before smoothing the silk. “Okay.”
He gave me a long look before stepping back and taking the carved wood staircase from the mezzanine down into the ballroom.
Pierce stood on the stage and took the microphone handed to him. “Good evening…”
I backed away.
One step.
Two.
Then I ran.
I wasn’t sure where I was going…I just needed some air. I needed to breathe. I needed space. I ran through the corridors away from the guests. I found myself running back toward the closed East Wing, away from the people and the noise.
As I entered the hall, I rested a hand against my side and took a deep breath.
“Hello, Madison.”
With a hand to my heart I let out a startled cry and turned to see Jameson lurking in the shadows.