Brutal Vows (Queens & Monsters #4)(49)

I huff out a laugh that’s part surprise and part anger. “Why the fuck do you think I’d hurt her for being in love?”

Caught off guard by that, she blinks.

Now I’m really insulted.

I demand, “Do you really think so bloody little of me?”

“I…I didn’t know what to think. Everything happened so fast. All I knew was that Gianni was about to start firing his gun, so I proposed an alternative.”

We’re staring at each other again. Both of us are breathing hard. She’s got anxiety written all over her, I’m about to choke in my bloody bow tie, and my dick is painfully straining the zipper of my trousers, throbbing with need just from looking at her.

Looking at her and thinking Fuck me, how bad I want to be balls-deep in that.

I lick my lips and step closer.

“So you thought I’d just accept this little switch of yours? You thought I’d have no problem substituting you for Lili?”

She gazes at me for a moment, then pulls the veil back over her head, exposing her face.

And her chest. And her cleavage. And her shoulders. And her lovely long neck, on the side of which a vein erratically pulses.

Christ, she’s fucking magnificent. I almost groan out loud with desire.

Examining the expression on my face, she says, “Yes.”

Because I’m no longer in complete control of my body, I step closer until we’re only inches apart and I’m staring down into her wide, beautiful eyes, watching her fight not to give in to the urge to run.

“You told me last night not even the threat of your own death could make you walk down the aisle again.”

“It was the threat of Lili’s death that changed my mind.”

“So this is about Lili? That’s all it’s about?”

When she glances away, I take her chin in my hand and force her to look at me. “It’s truth-telling time, remember?”

She nibbles on her lower lip for a moment, hesitating. “I’m not comfortable answering that.”

“And I’m not comfortable taking a wife who thinks she’s not going to have to sleep with me.”

She closes her eyes and mutters, “Jesus Christ, Quinn, you’re killing me.”

Leaning close to her ear, my heart pounding like mad and my dick aching, I murmur, “If I marry you, Reyna, I get to fuck you as hard and as often as I want.”

“Oh my God.”

“That’s the deal, or there’s no deal.”

She says sarcastically, “Should we add it to the contract?”

I pull away and gaze down at her. “I’ve wanted you since the first second I saw you, stabbing me to death with those eyes from the bedroom window at your house. This fake marriage includes sex, or it doesn’t happen.”

She glares at me. “Your charm could sweep a girl right off her feet, you know that?”

“Wait till you see my cock. Then you’ll really be swooning.”

Her whole face turns red, from her neck to her hairline. She presses her lips together into a thin line.

I know that isn’t a rejection. She’s not saying no, which means she’s saying yes.

But she has to say it out loud.

“So? Do you agree?”

Sounding as if she’d like to shove her bouquet down my throat, she says, “Yes, Quinn. I agree.”

“Good. Then go ahead and ask me.”

“Ask you what?”

“To marry you.”

Her mouth drops open. She stares at me in shock for a moment, then says flatly, “You’re joking.”

I point at my face. “This isn’t my joking face. Ask me. And do it nicely, or I might say no, because I’ll be taking my own life into my hands.”

“How so?”

I smirk at her. “Any man who marries a Black Widow has to sleep with one eye open.”

Oh, how she hates it when I smirk. Her eyes glitter with anger. She says through stiff lips, “That’s a very smart idea.”

Then she draws herself up to her full height, looks at me with withering disdain, and grits out, “Mr. Quinn…will you marry me?”

I reach out and stroke my fingertips over her cheek. “Aye, viper,” I murmur, feeling my blood pump fast and hot through my veins. “I’ll marry you. But if you decide to kill me, wait until tomorrow.”

She arches a brow. “Because?”

“Because I need to feel those sharp claws of yours dig into my back at least once before I die.”

I grab her hand and lead her out of the room and back to the altar.





20





Rey





When we exit the room, half the church is on its feet. The sanctuary echoes with sound. Whispering voices, muffled laughter, the rustle of clothing. The instant we’re spotted, however, the noise dies and everyone turns to stare at us.

Quinn commands loudly, “Everybody back in your bloody seats.”

He drags me to my position, says to Declan, “Full speed ahead, mate,” then snaps his fingers at the priest, indicating he wants him to get a move on.

The priest looks at Declan for direction.

Sending an amused glance toward the astounded guests, Declan says, “Maybe we should skip the mass and get straight to the vows, Father.”