The Marine (Black Hawke Security #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

brIAR

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“I do,” Ryder says.

Don’t look at Aidan.

Don’t look at Aidan.

Don’t look at Aidan.

Instead, I watch Ryder gazing into Savannah’s eyes, full of love, and part of me wants to burst into tears. I’d love to say no one has ever looked at me that way. Kael hasn’t. Not even on our wedding day.

Instead, he looked like he’d claimed a prize. I remember it being strange, but I was a blushing bride and pushed those feelings away.

Though someone has gazed down at me with complete and utter love and adoration and he’s standing about two feet to the right.

My eyes snap over to him without my permission and I’m met with the full force of Adian’s emotions glowering back at me.

My heart skips a beat, and I smile back.

Kael is in the audience.

Fuck.

I glance away as the happy couple kiss, and everyone breaks out in applause. Grinning, I glance out at the guests and try to clap while holding the bouquet.

That’s when I see Kael glaring at me.

He’s not clapping.

He’s not moving.

He looks deadly and dangerous.

Oh shit.

I shoot him a smile, but his expression doesn’t change.

Fuck.

Did he see me smile at Aidan? Of course he did. I’m standing right in front of everyone on a podium.

Idiot.

Dumb stupid idiot.

Ryder and Savannah take a few steps and face everyone, grinning like idiots as the officiant announces them as Mr. and Mrs. St. James. Then they start their walk down the aisle as guests throw confetti and cheer.

Because I’m the only bridesmaid, Josh and Aidan wait for me to step forward first. Before I take a step, Aidan leans into my hair and whispers. “You look fucking beautiful.”

My lids drop, and I smile, turning to him.

“Thank you.”

“Now, go to your husband.” He nods out in Kael’s direction.

What?

I stare at him, as Josh hurries me along with a tap on my arm and feel my heart crumble.

Aidan doesn’t want me.

Is that what he’s saying? That I should stay with Kael?

He doesn’t love me. He can’t. There is no way that the Aidan I know would tell me to go back to a man who’s been abusing me.

How could I have been so goddamn wrong about him? About all of this?

Are you divorcing him?

No.

Did I really think he would want me forever? Wait for me forever? I realize I have double standards right now, as I walk along the petal strewn aisle feeling like I’ve just lost the most important thing in my life, when I’ve been lying to him and know I could never be with him.

But having the choice ripped from me...hearing him say goodbye and set me free...I feel the ground wobble underneath me and trip.

Two sets of hands catch me.

“I’ve got her.” Aidan says roughly.

“I’ll take my wife.” Kael growls, and I watch Aidan nod and step away.

Like a stack of dominos, the walls of my heart fall piece by piece until it’s shattered mess on the floor.

“Come with me.” Kael squeezes my arm, and I know not to make a sound, so I bite my lip and go with him.

It’s what I’ve always done.

What he tells me.

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“W HAT THE FUCK was that ?” Kael grits out as he drags me to the back of the room.

One of the BHS security guys glances our way and gives Kael a dark look.

Then glances away.

Story of my life.

Anyone with any authority just accepts that a man—a husband—has the right to treat his wife this way.

There are under fifty guests at the wedding, so I have no doubt that Aidan’s team is briefed on every single guest.

So they know he is my husband.

“A wedding.” I snap, tugging my arm unsuccessfully out of his grasp. I’m holding Savannah’s bouquet in my other hand and consider using it as a weapon for a moment.

“Don’t get smart with me. I’m all out of patience, Briar.” He sneers and pulls me against him. I feel his hard erection and nausea rises in my throat.

Go back to your husband.

Pressing my eyes closed, I beg my tears to disappear. “I’m sorry.”

I don’t know what I’m sorry for. I can guess, but at this point it’s just not worth asking. Having him spell it out only seems to wind him up more.

“I need to join the wedding team for the photos,” I add.

“Stop the games, Briar.” Fury swirls in his dark globes as his fingers dig deeper in my arm. They will leave a bruise.

“Kael, I have to go.”

“Tell me you want to suck my dick.”

I fight back the gag threatening deep inside me, revolted by his words.

“Stop it.” I shake my head and pull away.

I need to get away from him before he drags me into a private area and rapes me. Maybe if I speak to the security guards. I glance over and they aren’t watching us.

I’m unprotected.

Aidan has no interest now and sent me back into Kael’s arms. No...I did that. By lying to him.

It’s something I can’t undo.

“Say it or we leave now,” he threatens, and I don’t doubt he will follow through.

“Yes. Fine. I will do it.”

“Say it.” He hisses. “I want to hear how much you want my fat cock in your mouth.”

Well, it’s not fat, and it’s not thick. Not compared to the man I made love to last night.

A type of insanity comes over me. Kael doesn’t know what I did last night or the night before. He doesn’t have the same control over me

After tonight, he won’t.

There is no way I am sucking his dick or letting him touch me again. I need to save myself. Aidan has wiped his hands of me, and my mother called me a philanderer.

Fuck all of them.

I let the insanity sink deep and smile. “I would love nothing better than to have your cock inside my mouth...”

Where I’ll bite it so fucking hard it will break in two and you will bleed to death in front of me.

You fucking asshole.

“Better.” Kael smirks and releases my arm. Brushing a tendril off my forehead, he holds my gaze firmly. “You have ten minutes. I’m going to get a drink and then I will meet you by the entrance.”

“Okay.”

“Ten minutes, Briar.”

I straighten my dress and check the bouquet, then head back to the wedding party.

“Here she is!” Savannah cries.

“Right. Let’s get everyone lined up over here.” The photographer instructs.

I try not to look at Aidan, as his rejection is more than I can take right now. My life is falling apart.

My mother hates me.

Aidan has walked away.

My husband is a dangerous man.

I need to get away from them all.