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She nodded. They must be closer to deciding.

I opened the back door of the black SUV, helping her up into the car. While that same knot in my stomach got tighter. Her grandparents having dinner with him made me really fucking uneasy.

“I could do a drug lord, but marrying into a family whose main trade is guns. It would just take away what I do….” She sighed, looking at me, “probably sounds stupid, and poor business, right?”

When it came to her arranged marriage, I had promised myself I would not influence her decision. So I shrugged and closed the door.

Though every day that passed, it was growing extremely harder to not have an opinion. Every single one of them I loathed.

CHAPTER 2

Madeline

“But why can’t it be pink or teal? What has the color black ever done for guns for it to be considered the mandatory dress code for gun deals?”

My heart was racing faster than I ever thought possible, while I spoke every thought that came to my mind.

“My love, why don’t you go to the waiting room?”

I shook my head. Nope. I was not leaving, even if seeing that amount of blood made me want to faint and swear off wearing red for the rest of my life.

I focused on his non-injured arm. Until Vince started rubbing my side.

“No, stop that,” I took his hand off my waist. “I’mcomfortingyou, remember?”

Holding his hand and stroking his thumb. “Where’s that doctor? They said five minutes? It’s been ten.”

A rush of white panic went through me again. Why were they taking so long?

“I got blood on your dress.”

“I don’t care. I hate this dress anyway.”

“Is that so?” he moved my hand to his shoulder, before holding my waist again.

I nodded, “I hate red.” I glanced at his bloody arm. “And I really,reallyhate crimson.”

The door opened. Immediately, I’m disappointed to see Nikolai and not the doctor. Then, I saw how angry he was.

“Nik, practice your breathing exercises.” I pointed at him, “the last thing I need is you in here too, having another heart attack or your medication increased.”

He forced a fake reassuring smile to calm me down. But I refused to look away until he listened to me.

Turning back around. My other hand going to Vince’s cheek. Of all nights for some random thug to try to stab him.

“So, we found?—”

“No, absolutely not,” I shook my head, speaking over Nik, “We are not talking about it. Not while half his arm is cut open. He’ll get worked up. The blood will start rushing faster and he’lldie.”

I held onto Vince’s shoulder tighter.

The door opened again. Finally, the doctor was back. The medical tray she was holding sent an immediate wave of anxiety through me.

Vince moved his hand down my back, pulling me to his side.

“My love, hey, trace my tattoos for me. It always calms me down.” He kissed my cheek, turning his body to keep his arm out of my view.

I nodded, running my nail over his shoulder, slowly tracing the tattoo down his arm. Leaning my forehead against his cheek.