Page 94 of Relentless Sinner

I can’t believe I can still feel this way for him even after everything that happened. What does that say about me?

This man brought my life to its knees then blackmailed me with the threat to my sister. Yet here I am melting into his body and his kiss.

When Jaxon pulls back the moment lingers between us, heavy, unspoken and raw. A dangerous current passes through our locked gazes and my heart pounds with a mix of emotions, none of them the hatred I should feel.

He breaks the moment with a clipped smile and takes my hand, guiding me toward our guests, who are still applauding.

We take our first steps as husband and wife, my heart trapped between wanting to loathe him and needing something from him I can’t afford to need.

I guess this is what he meant. That he and I were just getting started.

Thisis the start. The real beginning of our twisted story.

As we continue down the aisle I catch my father staring at us. Of the sea of guests he is the only personnotcheering. He has his hands folded in front of him and his head up like a king ready to address his royal subjects. The sour look on his face and the haughtiness in his steely stare are enough to turn a person inside out, then make them disappear from existence.

The disapproval written all over him couldn’t be clearer.

How interesting. Because this is all his fault.

And regardless of whatever plans he previously had for me I have a feeling it would have always ended this way. Jaxon would have always gotten what he wanted because of who and what he is.

My father was the same kind of fool I was when I thought I could trick Jaxon and make a grand escape.

I guess we both learned our lessons the hardest way possible.

Eric is waiting for us at the end of the aisle with a broad smile brightening his face. I noticed he matched Jaxon’s hairstyle with the same style of ponytail and clean-cut look that makes him look younger.

Jaxon leans in again, moving to my ear. “Stay close to me.” The eerie warning in his tone instantly makes my heart triple beat.

I look up at him but find he’s looking over his shoulder, staring at my father with a murderous look.

He returns his focus ahead of us but tightens his grip on my hand as if he thinks someone is going to take me away.

Is that what he’s thinking? That my father would try to take me? Here? Today?

I doubt anyone would dare try anything like that. Least of all my father. The place is heavily guarded with every variety of mafia you can think of, plus members of the Creed.

The moment that thought crosses my mind I remember the massacre that took my mother from me. That was a wedding, too, and we were supposed to be heavily guarded, but look how that turned out. All it takes is finding someone meaner and with equal or more power, then every single one of these men here will have met their match.

Eric takes over and guides the wedding party to the stunning castle gardens, where we take pictures. From there I go through the motions on autopilot.

Thankfully the pictures are mostly of Jaxon and I with our groomsmen and bridesmaids. It’s been arranged for the photographer to take pictures of our parents throughout the day.

Jaxon’s father looked like he could barely stay awake, and of course I want nothing to do with mine. It’s safe to say there will be no pictures of him.

I must have cursed myself with that thought because here comes Dad with his pompous self.

The sight of him approaching turns my stomach and scatters my nerves.

Our last conversation rings through my mind and I wonder what the hell he’ll say to me now. Last time he was quick to give me the rude awakening that Jaxon wasn’t my savior. I hate to think he’s right and I hope he doesn’t give me that I-told-you-so look.

The photographer is talking to us about what he’ll be doing for the rest of the day when he notices Dad approaching. Probably sensing my father’s dark presence, he quickly wraps up our conversation and leaves just before Dad reaches us.

“Congratulations to you both,” Dad says with that twisted smile I hate. I don’t know why he’s bothering with his fake pleasantries. “And what a lovely couple you make.” He looks from Jaxon to me, his gaze lingering on mine.

“What do you want?” Jaxon husks.

“I’m sure I’m allowed to congratulate my daughter and her husband on their wedding day, aren’t I?”