Theirs to Corrupt (Titans Captivated #5)

Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Link

Almost silently, the bedroom door clicks closed.

I glance over my shoulder. With his normal stealth, Pax heads my direction, wearing slacks and his dress shirt, though it’s unbuttoned. His gun is nearby. Always prepared.

The soft glow of the lamps casts long shadows across the room. Outside, the faint hum of Las Vegas nightlife seeps through the windows. The air is thick with the lingering scents of champagne, Tessa’s sweetness, and the unmistakable musk of us claiming our virgin bride.

I’d known she was going to be amazing. But I’d had no idea…

“Tessa asleep?” I ask quietly.

“Yeah. Told her I’d run her a bath after rubbing her shoulders.” He grins. “She was out within less than a minute.”

I’m not surprised. Her life has been turned upside down, not just by her brother, but by us.

He crosses to the small bar area and pours two whiskeys. Then he carries one to me. “Great ceremony, boss.”

Served the higher good, making it effective. Ends justify the means . “Lorenzo’s staff made it easy.”

“No details left to chance.”

Never. The way I like it.

“She’s fucking spectacular.”

Nodding agreement, I accept the glass.

I recall every moment of our day.

Though I’d seen her in the form-fitting gown before we were married, watching her walk down the aisle had almost been my undoing. She was dressed so perfectly, carrying her flowers, her gaze fastened on me, as if drawing strength and determination from me.

I’d never thought much about getting married, even though the best of the best around me had fallen into matrimonial bliss. Lorenzo Carrington. Rafe Sterling. Nico Moretti. I always figured it would happen when the time was right.

Then I saw Tessa, and I’d immediately been obsessed by her sweet innocence and beauty.

I had to have her.

After Pax discovered who she was, there was no way I could let her go.

And now that we’re married, my life seems more complete, which surprises me. I never knew something was missing. But now…

Knowing she’s close and will be that way for the rest of her life soothes the savage beast inside me.

“She did great tonight. The reception.”

Pax’s words interrupt my musings. “She’ll be a great hostess.” Smiling at the sharks, unrattled by anyone. Including me and Pax. Though she heard me tell the tale of Pax shooting someone, she’d promised to spend the rest of her life with us.

She’s more fearless than I could have imagined.

Back here, in our suite, she’d responded to us so completely, with utter trust.

Fucking hell.

Over the years, Pax and I have shared dozens of women. Dozens? Maybe fifty or more.

None of them were as honest or perfect as our new wife.

“We’re lucky men,” Pax says.

Tessa is more than I deserve. “Indeed we are.”

He lifts his glass in a silent acknowledgement, and I do the same.

We both take sips, then move to the seating area and drop into chairs.

“Marcella?” Pax guesses about my phone call.

I nod. “Everything’s in place.”

Within twenty-four hours, hopefully considerably less, Emiliano Sartori and Axel Tremaine will know Tessa is my wife, under our protection.

I harbor no illusions.

This is war. But I declared it on my terms.

I’m drawing them to me, and I will put them down once and for all, like the cockroaches they are.

As I contemplate what’s to come, I feel a surge of fierce protectiveness. Tessa may have entered this arrangement out of necessity, but I’ll be damned if I let anyone harm her. She’s ours now: to protect, to cherish, to honor. The depth of my emotions surprises me, but I push them aside.

“Talked to Hawkeye and Inamorata. Everything’s ready on our end,” Pax says.

As if I had any doubt.

Pax is methodical, leaves nothing to chance, going over plans time and again. And then once more, just to be sure.

He has operatives on Sartori’s crew and eyes on Axel. “Marcella gave the exclusive to Scandalicious .”

“Good move,” Pax approves.

“But she dropped a couple of photos to other magazines and influencers.” Whatever the fuck they are.

“Unauthorized leaks.” Pax grins

But not too many because then it would be obvious.

“Here’s to winning it all,” Pax proposes, lifting his glass.

“All of it.” I lean toward him, and we clink our glasses together.

I’m not cocky enough to believe we’ve already won.

But round one sure as fuck went to us.

As I sip my whiskey, my thoughts drift back to Tessa. She’s now an integral part of my world, and I’ll move heaven and earth to keep her here and safe.

“Shall we?” Pax asks, putting down his glass and grinning. “Wouldn’t want our wife to wake up and wonder where we are.”

Tessa

“Oh my God, you’re famous!”

I laugh as Natalie yanks open the door to her room. “Famous?” I ask. “Not in the least.”

She hugs me tight and pulls me inside.

After shutting the door, she locks it, with Torin and Mira in the hallway.

I look around, and I’m so impressed.

Link didn’t just get my friends a regular room. They’re in a stunning suite.

“I still can’t believe I’m here,” she says.

And I’m so glad she is.

“Something to drink?” she offers. “I mean this is crazy. There was a bottle of champagne waiting for us when we got here, and all these divine treats.” She waves her arm wide, showing off chocolates of all kinds. “There’s no way we’re going to be able to eat them all.”

“Take them home with you.”

“Then I’ll eat them!”

I laugh, understanding. They’re decadent and so loaded with calories.

“Breakfast arrived this morning without us ordering it, so we have coffee and tea and orange juice.”

Since there’s also a bucket of melting ice filled with water bottles, I help myself to one of them. Then I eye the truffles.

“Do it,” Natalie encourages.

“You’re terrible.”

She shrugs. “Well, I won’t feel as bad about the number I’ve already eaten if you help me out.”

“That’s some sort of messed-up friend logic.” But it works on me, and I grab one of the treats. “Are they all the same?”

She shook her head. “And that sucks. I had one that was amaretto, and I’ve eaten another three while I was hoping to find another one like it.”

Laughing, I take a small bite, sighing when the velvety creaminess melts in my mouth.

“That better not be amaretto,” she warns.

“It’s orange. Like orange liqueur.”

“Oh God, no,” she wails. “Now I need one of those.” Scowling, she reaches for another of the slightly round confections.

As I watch, she sinks her teeth in. Then she moans.

“Amaretto?”

“I think it’s Irish cream.” After sampling it again, she nods. “It is!”

“And?”

“Better than the amaretto.”

“Wow.” But I can’t imagine any of these not being amazing.

“You have to take the rest back to your room. I mean it.”

“No chance.” I see what she meant earlier. Having these around and not devouring every single one would be an unfair test of restraint.

She wraps the remainder of her chocolate in a napkin and drops onto the couch.

Since I plan to finish mine, I don’t bother grabbing a small dessert plate. Then I sit in an armchair near her, but I turn to look out the window.

Though the floor she’s on is not as high as where I’m staying with Link and Pax, her view is no less stunning.

I find it interesting that we’re in Vegas, a city that never sleeps, with neon everywhere, yet the view is peaceful, even soothing.

I’m not sure I would ever get tired of looking at the city from all its different angles.

Once I finish my truffle, I place my water bottle on the coffee table. Then I brush my hands together and focus on Natalie. “Is David still at the fitness center?”

“Yes. And I can’t complain. That’s how he keeps his bod so hot.”

Together we laugh.

Not too long ago, she’d sent me a message saying she’d be alone for at least an hour and that she’d love to spend a few minutes with me.

Though I wouldn’t have ordinarily wanted to leave my husbands—especially since it’s our honeymoon and last night was extraordinary, and I am eager for an encore—they were both occupied.

Link had another mysterious meeting outside the suite, and Pax was scheduled to meet up with Hawkeye and Inamorata before they headed for the airport.

Still, before leaving, I had to check in with Pax. He’d left orders with Mira and Torin.

When I agreed to have them accompany me, he relented. As long as I promised to come straight back.

“So how does it feel to be famous?”

I frown at her second use of the word. “Stop being ridiculous.” Even though I married a billionaire and his bodyguard, I’m still the same woman I was last week. “No one knows who I am.”

She shakes her head. “Not true. This morning I got a breaking-news email from Scandalicious .”

“Scandalicious?” I repeat. “You don’t even read it.”

“It’s your fault. You got me hooked on it.” Snatching up her phone from the coffee table, she shrugs. “So, anyway. You’re in the magazine.”

“Me?” I blink. “What are you talking about?”

Natalie opens her phone and shows me the screen. “Your wedding is on the front page. And you were featured in the breaking news email.”

Praying she’s joking, I frantically dig in my purse for my phone.

“Holy shit!” Her eyes are wide. “When did you get a Bonds device?”

“I was frustrated when I missed your call that night we had the break-in.”

“So your men got you the most expensive thing on the planet?”

Embarrassment crawls through me. Having anything fancy is still strange and awkward to me, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it.

Focusing, I scroll to the Scandalicious app and open it.

EXCLUSIVE! BILLIONAIRE’S SECRET WEDDING SHOCKS SOCIETY! the headline screams.

There’s a picture of Link kissing me before the ceremony started.

My heart sinks.

It’s one thing to look at stars and celebrities, but another to see my picture there.

Suddenly I remember Marcella was everywhere yesterday, snapping picture after picture. And Link arranged for her to be there.

“You were an absolutely gorgeous bride.”

Barely registering her words, I swipe to the next picture.

Link is slipping the ring onto my finger.

I’m so stunned that I can barely think.

The next is of me with disheveled hair leaving the bridal room.

I’m horrified.

There are at least two dozen snapshots. Almost all of them include me. Some include me and Link. Others have Pax in them as well.

There are plenty that show our reception, and everyone is identified by name.

Rafe and Hope Sterling. Lorenzo and Zara Carrington. Matteo Moretti.

I lower my phone.

Not long ago, I had judged Link for having a picture with a mobster.

And now here I am.

The magazine used to be my favorite. After this I’m not sure I’ll ever want to look at it again.

“Can I get your autograph?” Natalie asks as I drop my phone into my purse.

Thankfully, as I know, there will be another breaking story in twenty minutes, and that will knock us much deeper in the feed.

At least I hope so. Pray so.

But plenty of people have already seen the scoop. With the way word spreads, no doubt the whole world knows about our relationship.

“You look totally radiant in all of them. I don’t know how you did it. My smile would have frozen to my face halfway through the evening.”

“And you think mine didn’t?” Even though my insides are reeling, I keep my words light.

“I’m so happy for you and the way your life has worked out. It couldn’t be more perfect.”

I uncap my water bottle and take a sip, trying to steady my thoughts.

At one time, I believed in happiness, but that’s when my parents were alive and I was heading to college with my whole life ahead of me.

“Feel free to invite me to every one of your parties.”

“You’re on the guest list.” As if I have any say over that.

“Almost everyone stayed until the very end of the reception,” she tells me. “Quite a party. We danced forever.”

Since it will do me no good to agonize over the fact I’ve just had my face plastered all over the internet, I shove aside my embarrassment to focus on what Natalie is saying. “David seems really nice.”

“He’s wonderful.” She picks up her truffle and takes another nibble. “And he kept me up half the night after we got back.”

My men had done the same, and the memory is enough to make it feel as if someone has turned on the heater.

“Guessing your evening was pretty awesome too.”

I tighten my grip on the water bottle.

“So you went from being a virgin to taking two guys in the same night?”

“Yeah…” I search for words and can’t seem to find them. Then suddenly I can’t help myself. “They’re so different.”

Her eyebrows are drawn together in great concentration. “I can’t imagine.”

“But you are trying to do exactly that, aren’t you?” I tease.

“Guilty.” She gives a delicious little shiver. “Who can blame me? I mean you’ve got yourself two delicious husbands.”

She’s right about that, but I don’t give her any further details.

A minute or so later, when she seems to realize she’s getting nothing else out of me, she changes the conversation. “I take it you haven’t heard from your brother or Emiliano?”

I shake my head. “No.” Which makes me wonder what Link and Pax have done to make that happen.

“Maybe Link was right,” she muses. “All it took was marrying him.”

I hope he was right. Knowing that awful situation is behind me will make my future so much brighter.

“I know I’ve said this before, but you are truly one of the best people I know. You really do deserve to be happy.”

“You are the better person,” I correct her. “You took in a total stranger, even though it was risky for you.”

“How else would I have found my best friend?”

She always knows the right thing to say. “I’m lucky I have you.”

Voices outside the room capture our attention, and I turn to look at the door.

Moments later, there’s a beep, which signals someone has touched the keypad on the wall.

“I bet that’s David.” Natalie leaps up, but before opening the door, she looks through the peephole. “I’m still under orders from Pax.”

“Aren’t we all?” He’s so bossy that sometimes I feel as if I should salute him.

Moments later, she lets David in.

As soon as the safety device is engaged, he drops a kiss on her forehead.

“Sorry I’m sweaty, baby.”

She grins at him. “I don’t care.”

“No?”

“Nuh-huh.” She links her arms around his waist.

“Let me take a shower. Then we’ll hit the pool.”

With a towel around his neck, David stops and says hello to me. “Great party last night. We can’t thank you and your husbands enough.”

“They were happy to do it.”

“Because you matter to them,” Natalie adds.

David continues to the bedroom, and Natalie walks me to the door. “Not trying to rush you off, but…”

“There’s a naked man waiting for you.” I grin.

“Well, that!” She laughs. “And we want to enjoy every moment we have left of the vacation.”

“I don’t blame you.”

I reach for the door, but her voice stops me. “You know, you really are lucky to have them.”

She’s right. I can’t imagine where I would be if they hadn’t stepped in that night at the Rusty Nail.

But as I leave the room and Torin falls in step next to me, I remember back to David walking into the room and my friend’s reaction.

They are clearly crazy about each other.

As we wait for the elevator to arrive, I’m lost in thought.

Even Mira and Torin appear to read each other’s thoughts.

The vows in my wedding to Link and Pax were carefully worded. We talked about loyalty and respect and pledging to stand together. But none of us mentioned love.

And isn’t that supposedly the most important ingredient to a successful relationship?

Obviously I’m foolish to even think about such a thing.

Link and Pax are both committed to keeping me safe.

But there’s a cost.

And now, pictures of our ceremony and reception are all over social media.

He hired the photographer and gave her access to every moment.

A few minutes later, we arrive back at the suite.

As always, Mira and Torin nod as I go inside.

Link is sitting on the couch, his arm spread across the back. He’s breathtaking in a snowy white shirt with the top few buttons undone and his sleeves rolled back.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

I fully intended to ask him about the pictures and Scandalicious , but he crooks his finger, beckoning me to him.

My thoughts scatter.

He spreads his legs and points to the floor in front of him. “Come here, little dove.”

I am lost, helpless to resist him.