Page 180 of By His Vow

“Nah, they’re all for my dirty mind only,” he teases.

“Boo, you’re no fun.”

“I think they would argue that fact.”

“Whore.” I laugh.

“Takes one to know one,” he counters, more than happy to give as good as he gets.

It’s one of the many things I love about Cory. He’s just so easy—and I don’t mean sexually, although he is pretty easy there too—but our friendship is just so easy. We can be ourselves one hundred percent and it’s totally okay. It’s safe. We can say anything we want and know we won’t be judged.

We continue with our friendly bickering as we move toward the exit. With my attention focused on my friend, I miss the crowd outside. But one incredibly bright flash catches my eye, and I turn their way.

“Oh, holy fuck,” I gasp.

“You’re hot news, babe.”

“I don’t want to be hot fucking news,” I complain as two men in black suits none too discreetly talking through earpieces head our way.

“Miss Warner, if you’ll follow us, we’ll escort you to the car,” one of them instructs.

“Did Kingston instruct you to be here?” I ask, my eyes locked on his.

He doesn’t answer. But he doesn’t need to.

Kingston has orchestrated all of this. Maybe I should see it as sweet and thoughtful that he’s ensured I have a way to get through the hoard of journalists all wanting the first interview about our bullshit union. But right now, I’m finding it more overbearing and controlling than I am sweet.

“This is fucking bullshit,” I mutter so that only Cory can hear.

“I’ve got an Uber waiting. You don’t need to do as you’re told.”

His words are like music to my ears.

“What’s the car?”

He pulls his cell from his pocket and shows me the picture of the black Prius that’s waiting for us.

“Ready to run?” I ask, a shot of adrenaline saturating me.

“Oh hell, yeah.”

Cory grabs my hand, and together we dart around the security guards and rush toward the front doors and the awaiting press.

Chaos erupts, but neither of us stops running as the space around us gets smaller and smaller.

“Tatum, how does it feel to be engaged to Kingston Callahan?”

“Tatum, can we see a close-up of the ring?”

“Tatum, were you expecting him to pop the question so soon?”

“Tatum, how does it feel to snag Chicago’s most eligible bachelor?”

The security details are behind us; I can feel their presence as we set our sights on the car.

Lewis stands beside Kingston’s car, his hand poised ready to pull the door open to let us escape.

But just before he does so, we dart to the right, to the car idling behind him.