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"Spill," Madi demands. "Are you okay? Really okay?"

I take a deep breath. "I don't know what I am anymore."

"Mads, you’re scaring her," Lana cuts in.

“Well, excuse me for trying to make sure she’s okay.”

“I’m okay. I don’t think Sam would ever hurt me.” No, he just brings me more pleasure than I’ve ever had…

Madi and Lana share a knowing look and red coats my cheeks.

“So it’s good then?” Madi asks with a smile.

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” I drag a hand through my curled locks. "It's just...one minute, I hate him for keeping me prisoner, and the next..."

Lana squeezes my hand. "You're not the first woman to fall for a dangerous man."

"I haven't fallen for him," I protest, but the words sound hollow, even to me.

Lana's smile is knowing. "The way he looks at you…I've never seen Sam like this."

Before I can respond, a bell chimes, signaling guests to take their seats.

"Saved by the bell." Madi winks. "But this conversation isn't over."

We hurry back to the ceremony space, where rows of white chairs face an elegant floral arch. Sam stands waiting, his eyes tracking me as I approach. He leads me to a white chair in the front row.

"Everything okay?" he murmurs as I sit.

"Fine," I whisper back, smoothing my emerald dress.

Music begins to play, and the guests fall silent. I watch as John takes his place at the altar, his face a mixture of nerves and joy.

A woman with dark brown and steel-gray eyes appears at the end of the aisle. She's wearing a simple white dress that falls to her mid-thigh and she’s holding a bouquet of pink roses. She's stunning.

I flick my gaze back to Sam's cousin at the front of the aisle, watching the way his eyes stare at his soon-to-be wife. Every time I've seen him in Sam's house, he's looked cold and closed off, but now, I can see flickers of emotion as his bride slowly descends the aisle.

Sam's hand finds mine beneath the folds of my dress. I should pull away. Instead, I let our fingers intertwine as the ceremony begins.

It's a short ceremony with a small crowd of people seated. When it's over, we're ushered into another room with round tables and a small dance floor and fed the most delicious dinner.

I sip champagne as I watch John and Zoe sway together on the dance floor, lost in each other's eyes. The reception is intimate but lively, nothing like the awkward family gatherings I remember from my childhood.

"They look happy," I say when Sam returns with fresh drinks for us.

"John deserves it. He's been through hell." Sam's eyes soften as he watches his cousin. "We all have."

The band transitions to a slow, sultry melody. Sam sets down our glasses and extends his hand to me.

"Dance with me?"

I hesitate only briefly before placing my hand in his. He leads me to the dance floor, one hand resting on the small of my back as he pulls me close. His touch sends warmth spreading through my body.

"You look beautiful tonight," he murmurs, his breath tickling my ear.

"You clean up pretty well yourself." I allow myself to relax against him, inhaling his cologne.

"Just pretty well?" His eyes crinkle with amusement.