Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Promise
Candy helps me refresh my hair before the plane lands and then we’re swept off to a little chapel.
I have been to Vegas more than once for various events my father has attended, but today, being in Vegas feels like…freedom.
I’m a country away from my father, in the company of men who look at me like I matter.
We arrive at the small chapel, located just off the strip. Angel helps me out of the limousine and I pause for a moment, drawing in a deep breath of Vegas heat as I look out over the desert vistas.
In the distance, hills ring the city, their red clay stunning in the late afternoon light.
Angel stops too, his gaze following mine. “Vegas is something.”
I slide my hand into his. “I like this much better than the country club.”
He chuckles. “There is nothing special about the chapel we’re about to enter.”
“This wedding is ours,” I say simply. “Not like the one at the country club.”
He leans down and kisses me. The brush of his lips is so tender, so gentle, that it steals my breath.
And then he pulls me toward the doors.
It’s not traditional. No father of the bride giving his daughter away. There are no flowers, no programs. Only one of Angel’s brothers is here.
But for me, this is better than I ever dreamed. I’ve got Candy and Aunt Patti here. I’ve got a man who is actually taking care of me.
I don’t know how I begin to tell Angel that this wedding, with a handful guests, at a small touristy chapel is absolutely perfect.
The ceremony only takes fifteen minutes.
We say our vows…
Angel says them first. “Promise, I take thee to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
My eyes go wide as I realize they are a deep promise, and Angel is man who keeps his word. His hands in mine, I say them too. “Angel, I take thee to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
Until death do us part.
It’s a vow that holds deep meaning, one I didn’t consider before now.
Angel had intimated that our marriage would be temporary…
How does he not see divorce as a breaking of his word? But I don’t want to ask now and break the spell of the moment.
Today I just want to feel the lightness of being out from under my father, in the arms of a man I’m beginning to trust and one I already know I love.
Angel leans down and claims my mouth in a kiss that makes my head spin. And then we’re off, back down the aisle, and out to the limo.
“We’ve put together a small reception at one of our hotels,” Mason tells Angel as he climbs in. “And I’ve reserved our nicest suite for you and your bride tonight.”
I lean my cheek against Angel’s shoulder, closing my eyes as I breathe in his scent. I so appreciate the reception that has been put together and the chance to visit with my aunt.
But I want to be out of this dress and in Angel’s arms, his skin against my skin.
Still, we make our way to the small venue, a room that is just down the hall from the casino floor. It’s sparsely decorated but the buffet of food looks wonderful, and I realize it’s been hours since I’ve eaten.
Angel stays by my side, but other men from Mason’s Las Vegas operation filter in, introducing themselves.
I say hello to many of them and chat with my aunt, hearing about her practice.
Soon, when we have some privacy, I’ll tell her about my father and my mother, her sister. Her fingers brush the scars on my arm at one point, and I know she has questions.
Just as people are beginning to relax, a new man enters the room. He looks like an older version of Mason. And unlike the rest of the visitors who have come with smiles, his expression is grim. He stops at Mason’s side, whispering in Mason’s ear.
Mason frowns and immediately begins walking toward us. The older man follows just behind.
“Angel,” Mason calls. “This is my uncle, Jake Kincaid. He’s our head of security.”
“Pleasure,” Jake says with a nod, first to Angel and then to me. “Unfortunately, I come with unhappy news. We’d like to send everyone to their rooms.”
Angel immediately tucks me behind him. “What’s happened?”
“We’ve had some difficult dealings with a Bratva higher up named Sver.”
“No last name?” Knox asks from Angel’s other side.
“He doesn’t need one,” Jake answers. “Which is why we’re better safe than sorry.”
Angel’s arm comes around my waist. “You’re that worried?”
Mason’s grimace says a great deal. My hands wrap around Angel’s bicep as I scan the room. That’s when I realize… Candy isn’t here.
“Angel,” I whisper. “Where’s Candy?”
Angel rumbles. “She’s been at the bar most of the evening.”
I’m sure she’s drowning her sorrows, who can blame her? But I brought her here, I want to make certain she’s safe.
Knox pulls out his phone, firing off a text. My fingers tighten on Angel’s arm as I wait for her response. He looks around Angel, meeting my gaze. “She had a headache. She’s up in her room already.”
I relax as Angel squeezes my waist, propelling us forward. Jake is just behind us as we make our way across the casino floor and to the bank of elevators. “I’ll show you up to your suite,” he volunteers with a smile.
But the moment we’re in the elevator alone, Angel looks at Jake. “How worried about this Sver should I be that you just shut down my wedding reception?”
Jake runs a hand over his jaw, tension pulling at his features.
“It’s a complicated story that will take more time than you might want to give tonight.
Sver is a problem, however, that I will discuss with you soon.
If you’re entering into business with us, he’s one of the factors that you should be fully educated about. ”
“Thank you,” Angel grunts. “That’s enough for tonight, and I appreciate the openness of our partnership.”
The elevator opens into a lavish apartment that looks out over the Vegas strip. I stop with a gasp even as Jake salutes and then softly closes the door.
Maybe I should be worried about my father. Or Sver.
But I stop to just take in this moment. I have now. Here.
Angel stops behind me, kissing my bare shoulder before he starts undoing the row of buttons that hold up my dress.
I look over my shoulder at him with a small smile. “Done taking care of this dress?”
“I love this dress. I’m just ready to see it in a puddle at your feet.”
Color fills my cheeks as I nip at my lip. “You love this dress? Is that a compliment to me or to the person who bought it?”
“You know how much I love those curves of yours,” he rumbles into my skin. “And I still want to cum over every square inch of you. It’s just that tonight…” He pauses, his mouth trailing down my spine in a way that makes my skin break out in goose flesh.
“What?”
“I want to worship you too.” And then the dress drops to the floor.
Underneath, I’m in a strapless bustier bra and panties. I step out of the silk, heels still on, as a feral sound rips from Angel’s throat.
He’s got the brown contacts in, but they do nothing to diminish the intensity of his stare as I look over my shoulder at him.
He grabs my hips and pulls my back into his front. First his lips and then his teeth graze my shoulders as his hands start roaming over my stomach and up to my breasts. “Fucking hell, Promise. Your body is so perfect, it’s almost a sin.”
I smile as I lean my weight back into him. Sin with Angel is exactly what I want. Then again, we are married. “I’ll have you know that what we’re about to do is sanctioned by God.”
His hands still on my breasts. I’m not small in the boob department but his palms are so large, they swallow them.
I feel his entire body harden. Did I upset him with the God comment? I start to push off him just so I can look over my shoulder and gauge his reaction, but he holds me tight against him. “Marrying you might be the first good thing I’ve ever done.”
“That’s not true,” I answer, my arms covering his. “I know you lead your family. Look out for them.”
“I’ve been…selfish in some of my choices. I’m starting to understand that being a leader means putting their needs first. Mine last.”
I close my eyes, a small smile curling my lips. He’s right. Good leaders don’t think about what they want. Pretty much, they act the opposite way of every politician I know.
But then it occurs to me…I’m not sure his family likes me. Am I something that Angel would sacrifice for the good of his family?
He squeezes my breasts and then slides his hands back down the bustier before he pushes his fingers under the edge of my panties, his fingers dipping between my legs.
I moan as he grazes my clit, my knees weakening.
He kisses my neck, sucking my earlobe between his lips as he traces a slow circle over the sensitive bud.
His teeth on my ear send a shower of pleasure down my spine even as his finger creates a flood down my thighs.
His other hand slides between our bodies as he undoes the hooks of the bustier. It pops off, landing on top of the dress.
And then he bends down, hooking the thong, and yanking it over my hips and down my thighs.
I nearly fall when I try to step out of it, but Angel catches me, his hands splayed out on my belly.
He’s up in a second, lifting me and carrying me to the bed.
“My shoes,” I gasp.
“Leave them,” he rumbles as we reach the king-sized mattress. He sets me down on my stomach, my legs dangling over the side. His hands slide over my back as he bends low again, spreading my thighs with his hands before he dives in, licking up my seam.
I moan into the plush covers of the bed as stars light behind my eyes.
But he stops licking my clit to nip and suck at my thighs and then my butt cheeks. I lift my head, looking back over my shoulder.
Our eyes connect and then he chuckles. “Patience, love. I promise by the time I finish with you, you’re going to be satisfied.”
I don’t want to have patience. I’ve spent my whole life waiting…and now…
“I want to be more than satisfied. I want to be…devoured.”
He gives me a wolfish grin as he licks his lips. “See these teeth, Goldilocks? The better to eat you with.”