Chapter 30
Dax
“From this moment on, you will never know peace.” Not the words a groom expects to hear from his bride after the minister declares them husband and wife, but that’s what mine whispers in my ear.
To the onlookers, it probably looks like a bride hugging her new husband, but it’s a promise. Not to love, honor, and cherish, but to make my life miserable. Unfortunately for her, I never back down from a challenge.
She was an hour late to the ceremony, but that was worth the wait. The wedding planner and I did everything, and I paid her enough that she didn't ask questions. Questions such as, "Where is the bride?" and "When could they meet so she could get her vision?"
It was my vision, and I was not disappointed. I started planning it before I took her off the street. I knew I wanted her before our lips ever touched.
When I told her that she touched me so I was hers, I meant it. She sealed our fates that day. All I had to do was put my plan into motion, and her thieving brother and sleazy father helped to make this happen.
I almost fell over when my bride came into view in a dress that only she could wear. It’s a mix of modern and vintage. She’s perfection.
If she was surprised that almost everyone in town was invited, she didn’t show it. Practically the entire town showed up to see my beautiful bride walk down the aisle to me.
She walked herself, and when she announced it to her father at the engagement party, I warned him not to be a bitch about it. My little bride likes to dole out punishments, and this is the one she chose to deliver to her father. I can only imagine what she has in store for me.
It only took a monetary donation to Reverend Wilde to agree to officiate. His only request was that the donation be in cash.
The ceremony was brief, and when Wilde asked us to join hands, I felt a rush of electricity course through my body.
The vows were simple, traditional. She repeated hers, and I know she was only going through the motions, but when we were declared husband and wife, I kissed her with all the passion I had. She kissed me back.
“A word, Dax,” Rip says. My bride is on the other side of the room, sipping a cocktail and ignoring me. That’s what she does, unless my mother or sister is around, then she plays the part of the doting bride.
I gesture for Ripley to follow me from the large tent and into the house.
The caterers and guests are milling about, so I take him into my office.
Rip does not seem happy, so I wait to hear what he has to say.
“I need your word that there are certain things that Cori Lamb will never know. If she knows, my wife will find out, and that will disrupt my very happy home.” His words come off clipped.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think they were a warning, and I don’t appreciate warnings from people I employ.
“Now, why would you say that?” He remains quiet, but his nostrils flare. “Our work is confidential, and if you’re talking about the fact that you blackmailed your wife’s father years before you met her, that’s moot. It’s in the past, and it will stay there.”
He does not seem appeased by my declaration.
“So, this won’t come up during pillow talk?
” I wish there were pillow talk. I’ve been busy planning the wedding, and Cori said she wanted to wait and make the wedding night special.
I don’t trust her word on that. She’s a devious little thing, and every word out of her mouth is a lie.
She doesn’t know that I know how to read her duplicitous little ass.
“Why would you come up during pillow talk?” I ask with a laugh. “You’re not exactly what I think about at night when I’m alone with a beautiful woman."
“Because people in this town love to talk about me,” he snaps.
“You have my word.” All I get is a curt nod. “Your wife knows nothing about what we do?”
“I told her from the beginning that I don’t talk about my work, and she accepts that and never asks questions. Your girl is nosy as fuck and—”
“Hey, don’t talk about my wife that way,” I warn.
“She’s nosy, and I suspect that nosiness is why she’s married to you now.”
“And thank goodness for that.” He doesn’t return my smile.
“Why did you do this?” Ripley never asks questions about my personal life. The only times he has questions are when they pertain to work. “You never seemed the type to settle down.”
“Neither did you,” I counter. “But here you are, married to the daughter of the sheriff you blackmailed.”
“Let that die and do not speak of it again. Ever.”
“And here I thought I was running things.”
“This is my marriage, not a game. Not only that, I don’t want to upset or hurt my wife.” I raise both hands.
“I respect marriage. That’s the past, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s dead. Relax. Go dance with your wife. Take that stick out of your ass and have a drink.” I know he won’t drink. In all the years I’ve known him, he never has.
“Why did you do this?” he asks again.
“Why does anyone get married?”