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The reception was loud.

Everyone was drunk.

And I was tired of pretending to be happy. I wasn’t a good actor anyway, and the more times I had to take pictures with family, with Raven specifically, the more I felt my soul get stolen from me. It was torture, seeing her in her gorgeous dress, tasting her lips, knowing that they weren’t even mine to taste to begin with.

I decided the only way to absolutely cut my feelings off was to be a complete asshole once we were alone, if that meant I stayed in the bathtub of our hotel room or slept on the floor—so be it.

I couldn’t sleep next to her, not in the same bed, not in my current state. I’d say something stupid or I’d be tempted to ask if I could hold her.

The last time I held someone they let me only to push me away and stab me days later, so maybe I’d put that one on the shelf permanently.

“Hey!” Ivan slapped me on the back and leaned against me. “I’m a bit drunk, but it seems like you’re watching Raven like you want to either hunt her and take her down the street to the hotel or you want to see if she’ll stand in front of your car while you put it in drive.”

I snorted out a laugh and shoved away his offer of wine. “Nah, I want to be sober for tonight.”

His eyes narrowed. “You mean?—”

“Don’t worry about it. Her body is mine, right? Her life is mine now?” I smirked and walked off then did just like he said. I grabbed her, put her over my shoulder, and walked toward the doors.

She’d see everyone tomorrow anyway.

Tonight I had to prove to everyone she was mine.

Dante gave me an interesting look once I stopped at the door. I couldn’t decipher it but he seemed to be projecting a mixture of amusement and respect. “Beautiful wedding.”

“Yeah.” I looked between him and Phoenix. “It really was.”

"Put me down!” Raven smacked me in the ass.

I heaved her higher. “Save that for later.”

“You disgusting piece of?—”

“Shhhh, your dad’s right here, plus he knows why we got married, just can’t seem to keep our clothes on when we’re around each other.”

She grumbled something as I nodded my head and walked us to the waiting limo out front. I set her down and let her crawl in on her own then followed suit.

The car immediately started to pull out of the church and onto the road toward the hotel.

We were quiet.

I could still smell her. Taste her. My body wanted her.

She shifted in the leather seat.

I swallowed for the tenth time.

We finally pulled up to the hotel.

“Your bags are already in your room, sir,” our driver said.

I turned and regarded him. He was familiar…but not one of our guys. “Thank you.” Normally I’d ask if he was new. Instead, I grabbed Raven’s hand and walked through the double doors of the boutique hotel, Cellar. It was owned by one of our families and had one of the best rooftop bars in the city. Every room was a suite and had a fireplace along with an extensive private cigar selection.

"Stay close,” I said under my breath when we went to check in.

Already, they had our key cards out for us.

I took the cards and didn’t say a word to the receptionist. They knew not to speak to me unless spoken to first. It was one of the rules if you worked for any of our businesses.