Page 14

Eden

I read through the legalese on the prenup as best I could and signed in the places Bishop indicated. I wasn’t a lawyer, but it seemed to make sense. I could make no claim on anything Bishop owned, or his money and he would make no claims on me, other than I behave like his wife in public for the next four weeks. In return I’d get the freedom to live my life without fear of Chester finding me.

It seemed like four weeks being married to the man standing quietly beside me was a small price to pay for the lifelong freedom that would hopefully result from it.

“All done.” I straightened and handed the pen back to the man standing on the opposite side of the desk.

The man who had been introduced as his lawyer frowned at me, then directed his glare at Bishop. “I hope the pair of you know what you’re doing.”

“We do. Have you got everything else?” Bishop answered for us both.

He pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket. “New passport. Do not use it until after the wedding. I put her married name on it.”

“That’s the plan.” Bishop took it, tore it open, flicked through the pages of the passport inside and nodded. “Perfect.” He slipped it into his pocket and turned to me. “Ready?”

Was I? It seemed a simple question on the surface of it . Was I ready? Was I ready to marry a man I’ve known for twenty-four hours and continue to trust him with my safety? I curved my hand around his arm and nodded.

“I’m ready.”

His fingers covered mine, warm and calloused, and he moved toward the door. His hand secured mine in place, and I had no choice but to follow him. The doors to the chapel swung open at our approach, and the Wedding March began to play as we stepped through.

The next fifteen minutes passed in a blur. Words were spoken by the officiant. Bishop produced two rings from seemingly out of nowhere and slipped one onto my finger, before handing me the other to do the same for him. And then the final words were spoken.

“By the power invested in me, I now solemnly declare you husband and wife. Let no one put asunder those that have been joined together today in the presence of almighty God. You may now kiss the bride.”

My eyes darted up to his. “You don’t really—”

He lifted a hand to curve over my cheek. “Oh, never let it be said that I don’t play my role to the utmost of my ability.”

His head dipped and he brushed his lips against mine, drew back slightly and frowned.

“Hmmm.” The noise rumbled up from his chest and then his mouth was on mine again, only this time it was no chaste kiss.

His tongue found the seam of my lips, licked along it while his hand slid into my hair and tipped my head back. The move parted my lips and his tongue delved inside, stroked along mine once, before retreating. He raised his head and one corner of his mouth lifted.

“You taste like trouble.”

***

I spent the journey back to the hotel room after the ceremony in a daze. Bishop ordered room service and left me to change out of the dress I’d worn. The flash of gold on my finger caught my eye more than once and I paused in the middle of pulling on a pair of jeans to stare at the ring.

I was married.

Married to a man I barely knew.

A man who’d kissed me as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

I was no longer Eden Marshall. I was Eden Chambers, wife of Bishop Chambers. The man I had sought out to give me a new life.

A quiet laugh escaped me.

Well, he’d definitely done that. Just not in the way I’d imagined.

I studied my reflection in the mirrored door of the closet. The bruise on my cheek was hidden by makeup and the cut on my lip was barely noticeable. My hair had been tamed into a braid, although the curls were already starting to escape.

I looked different. I wasn’t sure if that was due to a decent night’s sleep and not waking up every hour in fear that Chester had found me or just my imagination. But I felt different. Stronger, more in control.

“Eden?” Bishop’s voice broke through my musings, and I turned toward the bedroom door. “Food’s here.”

I smoothed a hand over the t-shirt and jeans I’d changed into and headed out to join him.

“Won’t your friend be annoyed at you bringing a stranger with you?” I sat on the chair he pulled out, and watched as he rounded the table to sit opposite me.

“No. I told you, my invitation has a plus one. I’ve already let him know I’m bringing you.”

“Will you tell him we’re married?”

When he didn’t reply, I lifted my gaze from the plates spread across the table and searched him out. His fingers were drumming against the tablecloth as he looked at me.

“Bishop?”

“Maybe. We’ll see how it plays out. It might not be necessary.”

I nodded. “Okay.” I ate a mouthful of pasta. “You said it was an engagement party.”

“Correct. An old friend. His family loves to celebrate everything. If we can keep the fact we’re married quiet, I’d prefer it, but I find it unlikely. Especially if Susannah pushes.”

“Susannah. That’s the woman I’m to protect you from?”

His lips twitched at my words, as though he was trying to hold back a laugh. “That’s right. I need you to be a buffer, so she doesn’t try and climb into my bed and cause a war.”

“A war ?”

“Her husband would not be content with an apology if he discovered she was fooling around with someone else.”

“But a war?”

A smile flitted across his face. “You’ve just married into a dangerous family, Eden.”