Page 100 of Liar

He takes me gently by the arms and hauls me up and into his. “There’s only one woman I want. You. Even if I can’t make you mine. Even though I’ll have to let you go. It doesn’t make me want you any less.”

Want. Not love. Yet I grasp onto the word like it’s exactly that.

His lips claim mine, silencing my questions.

And I fall more deeply and more madly in love with him.

* * *

Two things guide me across the candle-lit room to stand beside my fiancé of fifty-four minutes. Javier’s arm, which is intertwined with my own. And Hayden’s confession.

I want you.

The official hasn’t abandoned us and stands stoically behind his desk, probably praying for our souls or asking God for the strength to marry a dangerous cartel boss to the virgin in the bright red dress.

“He’s singled you out,” Javier murmurs, feeling the need to reassure me as he escorts me to the front of the room. “But it might not be a good thing.”

“Why not?” I ask, half-heartedly. I’m in a haze, caught between love and reality.

“Our enemies will use it against him.”

I think back on a similar discussion. How a woman Hayden loved was killed. A tool, he said, to get to him.

“He can pretend I’m not important to him.”

“That’s not going to work.”

“No?” I grin. “We’ll think of something. No more business talk. I’m getting married.”

I’m giddy and a bit light-headed as I arrive before the official and a somber Hayden. Our eyes meet and hold. And his gaze remains fixed on me for the entire ceremony, while the official speaks about holy matrimony and the importance of the vows we’re taking.

Hayden promised my brother this would be in name only. An unconsummated marriage. Ending in annulment. But even as the official offers us his blessing, Hayden’s eyes rake over me. From my face, down my red dress, to my bare legs and high heels, then back up to my face. Unabashed. Unashamed. Possessive as all hell.

And I smile and make my own silent vow. This marriage will be true in name and in act. I’m going to make a liar out of him in the best kind of way.

His eyes narrow slightly, missing nothing.

At this point, everything becomes a blur. The final words, the vows, our promising to love each other until death do us part.

A ring is produced out of thin air. Inside, there’s an inscription written in Italian:Ti voglio sempre al mío fianco.

“What does it mean?” I ask him as he slides it on my finger.

“I want you always by my side.”

“Then I’ll never take it off.”

His frown darkens. “Never is a long time.”

“Until death do us part,” I toss back at him.

The official mercifully interrupts. “You may kiss the bride.”

I come up on my toes.

Hayden presses his lips to mine for a quick, unimpassioned peck. So misguided. So intent on keeping his word. But I’m ready for this and strike quickly, working my fingers into his hair and gently tugging him down for a kiss designed to seal this marriage deal.

I kiss him with every fiber of my being.