Page 38 of Code of Heart

Shereallyhoped she wasn’t late.

Hurrying through the historic building, barely a glance was spared at the grand woodwork, tall ceilings, and sunlit windows as she navigated the halls. Finally, the large, ornately carved wooden doors of their assigned courtroom loomed imposingly before her.

The sound of a deep, silky voice drifting through the gap in the doors stopped her in her tracks. “I hope she gets here soon so we can get this over with. There’s a situation unfolding that needs to be addressed immediately. I scheduled a meeting for this afternoon.”

She blinked rapidly, paralyzed outside the doorway from what she heard.

Her pulse spiked as rage bubbled to the surface as the words registered.

It appeared their wedding was nothing more than an item to cross off on his—her husband’s—to-do list.

She briefly considered turning on her heels and leaving.

No. I can stand up for myself.

After squaring her shoulders and assembling every ounce of defiance possible, she took a calming breath and shoved the doors open with determination.

She was ready for her first fight with her unsuspecting future husband.

CHAPTER 20

Levi

Levi was speechless.

The moment the courtroom doors swung open, and this firestorm of a woman blazed through, everything else faded. Thoughts? Gone. Breathing? Optional.

She was breathtaking.

Her flawless olive-toned skin radiated beneath thick, chestnut-brown waves threaded with iridescent rainbow streaks that shimmered as she moved.

But it was her eyes that held him hostage. Deep brown, almond-shaped, ringed in smoky gold and framed by bold brows. She was stunning, and intense, and her eyes…promised violence as she glared at him.

Her lips, full and glossed, curled in a deadly smile as she closed the distance between them, her cream lace top and nude pencil skirt hugging every curve. Her heels clacked with intent, each step a declaration:I heard you, asshole.

Levi didn’t move. Couldn’t move. His only instinct was to reach for her, but with the storm brewing in her eyes, he didn’t dare.

She stopped before him, tilted her head almost imperceptibly, and delivered her opening shot.

“Let’s get this show on the road so my betrothed can get to his extremely important meeting.”

Shit.

Yeah. She definitely heard him. Or at least the worst possible part. Standing at a solid four inches shorter than him in those heels, and yet she was still a force to be reckoned with if the murderous intent in her eyes was any indication.

Fantastic first impression. He couldn’t help but cringe a little.

Behind him, Owen coughed, trying to stifle a very obvious laugh. “Great! Everyone is here and accounted for!” Breaking the tension, he motioned to Estrella.

“You both have come quite a long way in a short amount of time, leading up to this moment. Aurelia Douro and Levi Lockwood, your journey begins now as you take this leap together into marriage.”

Her name is Aurelia, Levi repeated in his head.Aurelia Douro. Beautiful. Fiery. Definitely kind of terrifying.

Estrella continued, “I will give you both a few minutes with your attorneys to sign the appropriate contracts as well as the marriage certificate before we begin the ceremony.” Right on cue, Charles and Mitchell appeared from behind her, each holding a copy of the final prenuptial agreement, already tabbed with neon sticky notes.

“This is your last chance to back out of the wedding before it is too late,” Estrella murmured.

Levi regarded Aurelia, silently pleading. “I have no intentions of backing out,” he said firmly.