Page 83 of Theirs to Corrupt

Link lifts his hand, palm up.

I slide mine against his.

Then Pax closes his hand on top. The three of us are bound together.

“Link, Pax, I never imagined I’d be here with you like this.” My voice falters, and they both offer their support.

After a small exhalation, I manage to continue. “I promise to stand with you both. I will respect and honor you always.”

“Do you have Tessa’s ring?” the minister asks.

Pax pulls out a massive oval cut diamond ring from inside his jacket.

I gasp as he hands it over to Link.

I knew he wouldn’t settle for a plain band, but this is over the top,

“The wedding ring is an unbroken circle with no beginning, no end,” she goes on, “representing your eternal commitment to one another. Link, repeat after me…”

A few moments later, he takes my hand and looks me in the eye. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment.”

This stunning gem sparkles in the light as he slides it onto my finger. I can’t help but stare at its magnificence.

It seems to weigh a ton, much like the obligations we’ve just made to each other.

Pax offers me a ring to slip on to Link’s finger, and I follow the officiant’s lead. “Link, I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment to you.”

Then Link gives me a band for Pax and I repeat my vow to him.

Reverend Clara smiles. “I now pronounce the three of you partners in life.”

My world seems to tip off balance.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

But Link has already moved in, and the buzzing in my head drowns out her words.

No way is he waiting for an invitation to claim what is his in the eyes of the law…

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Tessa

“What are you doing?” I demand as Pax places his fingers against the small of my back and guides me away from the chapel’s foyer.

“Taking you somewhere private.”

“But—”

“We’re starting the honeymoon early.”

I gasp. “You can’t do this.”

“Who’s going to stop me?”

“Pax!” There’s no reasoning with him. “We have guests.”

“All of whom have seen you, how beautiful you look. Not one of them would blame us for wanting a few minutes alone with you.”