Page 54 (1/2)

“Very well,” Mr St Claire said “Her hand now belongs to you You have 109 days fro, and recite your vows on the grounds of the Oleander Do I have your word, Eh?”

I nodded “You have my word We will be married within 109 days”

The canes banged on the floor in a cadence that vibrated throughout my entire core

“Eton, Bellamy Carmichael, you have both passed the Initiation Emmett, you are now a member of The Order of the Silver Ghost Bellaranted your wish and have Emmett as your future husband” He pounded his cane hard to punctuate his dictate

Re my jacket, I placed it over Bella that she had to stand in the ballroom so exposed, especially after such an intense sexual experience, I chastisedher body into mine to offer some heat, I released a deep breath that I hadn’t even realized I was holding

Not waiting for any more to be said, I escorted her out of the ballroohdifficult situations in business, I knew I had to treat this the same way

One step at a time

Right now, I needed to get Bellamy warmed up and out of this den of vipers

When we reached our roo her body pressed against mine “You don’t have to marry me It’s not fair that I put those terms as my ask I won’t hold you to it I’m so sorry I ever did”

“The Elders will make sure of it,” I said and noticed how her body tensed “And besides, when I make a commitment, I keep it I told them ould be married in the time frame, and I plan to be a man of my word”

She lowered her eyes to the floor as I led her to the bathrooht away “I’ I was allowingfor h, she stepped in and breathed out, “Once we’re et the e annulled if you want I won’t expect you to remain married to me” Her eyes were downcast “I understand why you’d want to end it”

“I never said I’d want to end it”

Her eyes flashed up in surprise “But you deserve better! You didn’t go into this Initiation intending to get ained for,” she said