Hugging her close, I coiled my fingers in her hair, creating a link that would have to be torn apart at the root before either of us could be freed. “Listen to me. I'll never be like my father. I'll never... ever make you cry. Understand?” I brushed her belly, my voice a growl. “I love you, Nix. I love you more than anyone I've ever known. I didn't know a love like this could even exist. But now I do. And I'll never forget.”

Tears welled in her eyes, sliding over her cheeks like rain on spring leaves. I brushed them away; first with my thumb, then my lips.

Grabbing my hand, she sobbed. “Abell—I love you, too. Tell me I'm crazy for feeling this way. Someone has to tell me that.”

“You're crazy,” I said with a slow smile. “So am I. Guess it works out.”

Nix laughed, sniffling through her tears as she scrubbed them. “You said you'd never make me cry. You lied.”

“Tears of joy don't count.”

Blushing, she wrapped my arm around her shoulder, snuggling close. On impulse, I let my palm spread over her tummy. She startled, then settled in. “I don't want to say it, but there's a chance I'm not pregnant. You know that.”

“No. There isn't.”

She went pinker, the color I adored. But her words were terribly pained. “Everything we do is tainted. This baby... the wedding... we're under the control of our families, no matter what.”

Cradling her head to my chest, I breathed in her scent. The couch pressed us together, our legs tangled. “This is the only way to have everything. I won't let you lose the future you dreamed of.”

Nix was quiet. There was something behind her eyes, a mood... or a thought... that was just out of my reach.

Her arms held me, her lungs flared, and her heart kept a pattern that matched mine. Together we lied there, and finally, the silence was broken by her gentle voice.

“Is this the future I dreamed of?”

I didn't have an answer.

- Chapter Fifteen -

Nix

In a tiny church, inside of a tinier room, I stared at myself in a mirror and wondered one thing.

How had I gotten here?

Persistence, I told myself. Dedication to my job.

Insanity.

People should be excited on their wedding day. As for me, I didn't know what to feel. At first, I'd hated the person I was being forced to marry, while craving the power it would bring me.

Now it was the opposite.

Life is funny. But what was I going to do about it? I'd come this far. My dream of being CEO felt so... hollow, now. Especially when I cradled my stomach, picturing Abell's hand there.

This baby will have to interact with a bastard like Corin Birch.

Not to mention my own parents.

Pushing my perfectly coiffed hair behind my ear, I eyeballed my reflection. This was me, always so put together and impeccable. I'd been raised to be proper, to the point I was OCD over things like my damn hair.

He loves it when it's messy.

Digging my fingers into my scalp, I ruffled the red strands until the hairpins fell out. I didn't want to be like this anymore. I wanted freedom! I wanted...

Pushing myself to my feet, I caught the glitter of my dress in the bright lights. That pure, dove-colored dress, was the very same one Abell and I had fucked in.

Brushing the pleats, I worked my palm up the beaded bodice. It was a beautiful dress. It gave me a serenity I didn't deserve.

It looks better around my ankles.

Someone knocked on my door. “Nichole,” my mother chirped, “It's time.”

I did a slow spin, wanting to throw my head back and scream. What am I going to do? It was a pointless question. Once I went into the main church I'd be a prisoner for the rest of my life.

But we'd get to keep Halloway Inc.

I'd get to be CEO.

That was worth it...

Right?

Cracking the door, I found my mom waiting for me. She had on a purple, turtle-neck style lace gown.

“There you are,” she sighed. “Thank goodness. I thought you couldn't fit into that dress or something.” Her eyes flicked from my legs to my face. “It's a wonder you got it over your hips at all. And what happened to your hair?”

Hm. If I choke her, will her face match the purple color of her dress?

She started moving down the empty hall. “Come on, everyone is waiting.”

“Right. Nothing more romantic than a rushed wedding.”

She lowered her eyebrows, evaluating me. Her tongue clicked. “This isn't about romance. It's about paying a debt.”

“That you owe, not me.”

“You'll get what's coming to you for doing this,” she hissed. “It's the only thing you ever cared about, anyway.”

Cocking my head, I considered her words. Was this the only thing I cared about? Once, maybe, but now... now I had other things on my mind. Things that burned in my heart the way power and money never could have.

Following her, we entered the main room. Someone had arranged flowers all over the pews and podium. The petals reminded me of tiny bluebirds, their wings pinned to their sides, unable to fly free.

The tulips.

Though there wasn't a hint of pine in the church, I still smelled it. Abell's scent was as much a part of me as breathing was.

I knew he was nearby, even before I turned.

He stood by the entrance, dressed in coal-black slacks and an open suit-jacket. His tie was slim, hanging down his broad chest. He looked slick and clean, he looked... nothing like himself.

In his breast pocket rested a tiny sprig of something.

Mistletoe.

The realization made me smile. It also cut through me like glass.

“You're gorgeous,” he whispered, coming to meet me.

“I thought you called me 'stunning' before,” I chuckled.

Reaching out, he went to stroke my tangled hair. At the last second he stopped, looking over my shoulder. Turning, I spotted my parents and brother standing there. Corin hovered at their side, as did a man I didn't know.

A priest, I realized. His face was kind, wrinkled hands folded at his middle. This was happening. It was honestly, actually happening.

The church was eerily empty and quiet. This was a private event, it reminded me of some sort of wicked cult meeting. Guess that makes me the sacrifice.

The priest bowed his head, motioning for everyone to stand in the aisle. “Are we ready?”

Ready. What a word.

Staring around at their faces, I gathered myself.

“Wait!” Gram cried, lifting his hand. “Don't do this, Nicky! It's not worth it!”

Startled, I stared at my brother. I wasn't the only one.

My mother rounded on him, her hands flexing at her sides. “You said if you came you'd stay silent! Don't get involved in this!”

Standing to his full height, Gram shook his head. “No! I'm not going to let her ruin her life just because you all need her to!”

The slap echoed through the church.

My mother stood there, her palm raised high. Gram had wrenched away, his cheek flaring red from the hit.

She hissed, “Why do you always insist on messing up my life? You'd risk our company, everything I've worked for, just so you can play hero?” Fire flared in her eyes. “You should've never been born, and I should have turned you away the day you came to my door. You're a disgrace.”

Gram was hunched, his fingertips hovering by his glowing cheek. Turning, he stared up at my mother with the first hint of fury I'd ever seen in his bones.

Here was someone who had fought, just as hard as me, to do what we needed to for this family. My job had been striving for success and perfection. His had been staying invisible.

Finally, he'd decided he was done.

If he could be that brave, then... maybe I...

My father was a statue, the priest had gone pale, and Corin just pursed his lips. But my mother?