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“Nah. I can fool around with my flavor of the day or do my makeup or even play on my phone.” She kisses me on the cheek, then walks with her guards to the SUV parked a few yards behind the one I’ll be riding in.

“See you in a few hours,” Kato says, cupping my face in his big, warm hands and pressing his lips to my forehead.

Madd shoves Kato out of the way and kisses me deeply, his tongue sweeping into my mouth, and I’m struck stupid for a second. I swear these men will be the death of me. But death by orgasm sounds like the best way to go.

When he pulls back, I sway on my feet a little and smile like a drunken fool. “Want to ride home with me? I heard there are fun uses to having the backseat all to yourself.”

“Dude,” Dimitri mutters and turns, giving us his back.

“The last thing we need is for you to be late because the two of you decided to fuck around all day. Go home. Relax. Take a bubble bath. A team will be at the house around five to get you ready. Your dress should be hanging on the inside of the closet,” Kato says.

I frown at him. “Did you seriously pick something for me to wear? I already ordered a new dress.” And it’s so freaking pretty.

“Trust me. I think you’ll approve,” he says. And for once, that scowl is smoothed and he gives me a sweet smile, the same smile I fell for as a lovesick teenage girl.

With a teasing roll of my eyes, I lift my chin so he can give me a quick kiss, then climb into the back seat, smiling at two of my guys as Karo swings the door shut.

Now that I’m alone, my nerves are starting to get to me and my stomach…well, shit. I’m feeling a little sick.

Not quite the pull over so I can puke sick, but there are knots twisting my insides. And I’ll be home alone. Or at least without my men. I won’t have them there to keep me distracted or even comfort me when my anxiety kicks up.

It’s fine. It’ll be fine. I was on my own for years. I survived just fine. I might have a few mental, emotional, and even physical scars from that time, but I’m fully capable of taking care of myself.

The bubble bath didn’t work. Neither did the candles or essential oils.

What got me to chill out enough to be able to sit still while these Greek syndicate employees tugged and curled my hair while another painted up my face? My second glass of Merlot.

“You might want to slow down,” Ms. Galanos says as she passes.

She actually reaches forward as though to take the glass from my hand, but I pull away and out of her reach.

“Do you really want to show up drunk to your own engagement party?”

I wonder how much she actually knows. She’s obviously heard I had run off and gotten married, but how much does she now know about the truth? Not like Kato or the other two are in the habit of telling the staff all their secrets.

In the end, it doesn’t matter. Because she’s loyal to Kato and will do what’s in his best interest. Which, I suppose, includes making sure I don’t show up a complete mess tonight.

“Fine,” I snap, handing her the glass and wincing when a little splashes over the sides and onto the floor. “Sorry.”

She gives me a look that might have made me recoil if I didn’t feel so…loose. Alcohol is good like that.

“Almost done,” the woman currently holding up a bottle says. “Close your eyes and hold your breath.”

I do as I’m told while she spritzes my face with setting spray. I haven’t even asked for a mirror yet. I don’t want to see the complete look until I’ve got the dress, shoes, and accessories on.

I didn’t even bother taking a peek inside the garment bag Kato hung in my closet with the dress he picked out for the evening. Though I am kind of dying from curiosity.

Fingers thread through the length of my hair, and damn it feels good. I keep my eyes closed even after the makeup artist is done setting my makeup and try to just…be in the moment or whatever.

I was accustomed to this life at one point, and then I wasn’t.

Even after the few weeks since being back with Kato, Brix, and Madd, it’s taking me some time and effort to remember I’m no longer at risk of someone breaking into my apartment, no longer worried I might get hurt or killed on a date…

No longer have to hide. At least not after tonight.

Oh, I’m not naïve. I know there isn’t a chance in hell the guys will let me leave the house without a chaperone or ten, but I can finally start looking forward to a future with my husbands.

Husband. Wow. In a week, I’ll be legally married. I’ll be a wife. Kato will be my legal husband. The term will no longer be a term of endearment or a young girl’s deepest wish.