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“Max, you said you’re home?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I thought Brooke and Scar were hanging out.”
“Nope, Scarlet’s not here.Why would you think that?”
I wanted to blurt out “Because she told me she was going there,” but instead I kept my mouth shut.“No reason.Guess I must’ve misunderstood.”Although, there was little chance of that.I didn’t misunderstand, she said it plain and simple.“So, Scarlet hasn’t come by at all tonight?”
“Nope.Brooke has her hands full with her mother.I think she’d like to hang out with Scarlet, but don’t think she’d plan anything now.Not until her mother leaves at least.”
“‘K, thanks, man.”
“Sure, bro.Let me know if you need anything.”
He could sense the confusion in my voice.I didn’t understand.Why would Scarlet lie to me?And if she wasn’t with Brooke, then where the hell was she?
I called her.No answer.
I texted.No answer.
“Where the hell are you, Scar?”
Chapter Eleven
Scarlet
The courthouse might as well have been a prison because I was in for a life sentence with no bail.I had a knot in my stomach and clutched my purse under my arm.All I wanted to do was call an Uber and hightail it out of here.I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans and straightened my shirt.I fussed when I was nervous, I couldn’t help it.I was anxious and nervous and sad and angry.I wanted to scream and cry all at the same time.I didn’t want to be here.I wanted to be home with Colt, making love again, or just lying in bed next to him, his arms wrapped around me.I found myself happiest when I was with him, or thinking of him.
Once I got that call from Nick, though, he blew my happiness to smithereens.His orders were clear.He was going to make sure Colt was taken care of if I didn’t do exactly as he demanded, and what he demanded was my hand in marriage.It was the one thing he wanted and the one thing I didn’t want to give him.But I would do anything to keep Colt safe.I knew he was trained and could take care of himself, but this was different.Rafe wouldn’t stop.He would keep finding him, keep going after him until the loose end—Colt—was taken care of.And I couldn’t let that happen.
“You made it, babe.”The familiar voice made me shutter just as it always did.Then I could feel his breath on the back of my neck and I knew he was behind me when he whispered in my ear, “You made the right decision.”
I was one second away from stepping on his foot with my heavy wedges and bolting.“I despise you,” I uttered through gritted teeth.
Nick slithered his way around my front and touched my chin with the back of his knuckle.“Hey, chin up.Nobody’s dying, okay?”He waited a beat for adding, “Well, that’s up to you at least.”
I bit my tongue and replied, “I’m here, aren’t I?And the deal was we get married and you leave him alone.”
“That was the deal, wasn’t it?”
I clenched my fists by my side.That smug look on his face made me want to deck him, but I knew better.“Let’s get on with it already.”
“Oh, for you,” he said, pulling out one of his hands from behind his back.I didn’t even realize it was there.Frankly, I couldn’t see past my rage.“It only seemed fitting you have a bouquet when you walk down the aisle.”
“There’s no aisle, Nick.It’s a courthouse.And this is a marriage of convenience.I’m not marrying you because I love you.”
“You did once,” he said, “and you will again.”
I grew close and whispered in his ear this time.“I will never love you again, Nick.”Then, for good measure, I added, “I loathe you.You are not the man I once knew.”
“Maybe so,” he said, backing up, “but our names were just called and it’s our turn.That means it’s showtime, babe.”
My legs began shaking and I felt like they might give out.I swallowed hard and tried not to show him how utterly shaken I was.“You go in without me because I need to use the ladies room.”
He shot me a threatening look.“So help me, Scarlet, if you’re looking to bolt, the deal is off and you can kiss your lover boy goodbye.”
I shirked out of the grip he had on my arm now.“Get your hands off me, Nick.I just need to pee, if that’s okay with you.”
