Page 78 of Brutal Vows

“Never say never. What if you met the right lad?”

“I’m disappointed you decided to smoke something hallucinogenic before your own wedding rehearsal, Quinn, but ‘never’ is the correct choice of word. It means not ever, at no time, absolutelynot. The threat of my own death couldn’t compel me to walk down the aisle again.”

Staring deep into my eyes, he says in a throaty voice, “I said never again once, too. Turns out I was wrong.”

My heart starts to beat faster. I become aware of all the skin on my body at once, because it’s overheating. I feel like I’m being roasted from the inside out.

I try to sound normal, but my voice comes out faint. “What was your never about?”

His gaze drops to my mouth.

He’s about to say something when we’re interrupted by a woman’s voice.

“There you are! I thought we’d lost you.”

I look over to see a stunning brunette in a tight white dress standing a few feet away, smiling at us, her hands propped on her hips. She’s tall and curvy, with a glint in her green eyes that’s equally self-confident and mischievous.

Quinn drops his hand from my arm and steps back. “Hullo, Sloane.”

“Hiya, Spider! Introduce me to your friend.”

“Reyna, this is Sloane, Declan’s wife. Sloane, Reyna.”

Sloane and I shake hands while she smiles and looks me over with unabashed interest.

“So this is the infamous Black Widow. Babe, have I been dying to meet you. I havesomany questions.”

Horrified, I glance at Quinn. “Black Widow?What happened to Queen Devil Bitch of All Existence?”

He sighs. “I didn’t dub you that, viper. It’s what everyone else calls you.”

Sloane says, “I like Queen Devil Bitch of All Existencewaybetter! How badass! If you don’t want to use that one, I’ll take it. I can already see the tattoo, a sexy red demon with horns, a longtail, and a black diamond crown, sitting on a throne of skulls in the middle of a lake of fire. Right?”

She’s still grinning at me, shaking my hand. I’m starting to feel like I’m being filmed for one of those reality shows where they punk unsuspecting fools for laughs.

“Sure. We’ll get matching ones. I’ll put mine right above the spot where my heart’s supposed to be. You know, if I had one.”

When I smile at her, she throws back her head and laughs. “Ooh, I like you. I’d say let’s be besties, but I already have one of those. You can be next in line, though.”

I deadpan, “My life will be complete.”

She links her arm through mine and leads me into the church, throwing a glance over her shoulder at Quinn. As soon as we’re out of earshot, she murmurs, “A word of advice? Stay away from Boston for a while after the wedding. Like, forever.”

I’m not sure I want to know what she means, but I ask anyway. “Why?”

“Because, babe, any man who looks at a woman the way Spider looks at you is already thinking about how he’s going to ruin his life.”

EIGHTEEN

REY

The rehearsal goes off without a hitch, but for me, it’s thirty minutes of absolute hell.

I don’t look at Quinn. I want to, badly, but I don’t. If what Sloane said is true, then this insane carnal attraction I feel toward him is mutual.

And very obvious.

Which means we’re standing on top of two tons of dynamite, and it’s only a matter of time before someone strikes a match.