Page 99 of Sin With Me

"Jesus Christ..." I crack a smile, shaking my head. "No wonder people call us the Southern mafia."

"Language." Mom snaps. "And who does?"

"Everyone..." I laugh, holding up my right hand and lifting a finger. "Craig died in the barn fire after threatenin' Noah's life." I bring up another finger. "Landen shot a drug dealer linked to Magnolia's baby daddy, who was also found dead in the trunk of said drug dealer." Another finger. "Tripp shot Ruby's ex-boyfriend who tried to kill her and then was found dead in the lake the followin' day." Another finger. "I shot the guy who kidnapped Harlow, who unfortunately, survived."

Delilah slowly glances at me, and I know exactly what she's thinking:What the hell did I marry into?

I'd burst out laughing if it wasn't so accurate.

"When you say it like that, we do sound a little mobish," Mallory winces.

"To be fair, those people deserved it." Gramma Grace shrugs, stirring the gravy at the stovetop. "You protect the family at all costs."

"That's exactly what the mafia would say," I deadpan, taking a drink of my sweet tea.

"What's that?" Mallory points to my left hand.

Delilah keeps her head down, conveniently hiding her hands underneath the table.

"What's what?" Dad asks, finally entering the kitchen.

"She's askin' about my wedding band."

Delilah's head snaps up along with everyone else's.

"Why're you wearin' a wedding band on your ring finger?" Mallory asks, oblivious to the obvious.

"Because I got married in Vegas," I say calmly, watching and waiting for them to freak out.

"Married?" Dad's brows raise, crossing his arms as he stands at the head of the table. "To who?"

"Me," Delilah says timidly, holding up her left hand and revealing the rock I got her.

"I knew it!" Mallory shouts, pumping a fist in the air. "You owe me fifty bucks, Aunt Dena."

"Huh?" I shift my gaze from her to my mom.

"We bet that you two were secretly hookin' up. She thought I was crazy but?—"

"We were drunk," I clarify, but mostly to burst her bubble.

"Still counts," Mallory argues.

"I—"

"Let me get this straight..." Dad holds up his palm, cutting me off. "You two..." He waves a finger between Delilah and me. "...got hitched in Vegas after gettin' wasted?"

"That's pretty much correct, yes."

I'm not about to admit there was a part of me that knew exactly what we were doing. Or that I don't regret it.

Mom stands next to Dad, rubbing her temples. "Are you...together?"

Grinning, I look at Delilah and squeeze her hand. "Yes."

"We just started datin'," Delilah clarifies. "Like three days ago."

“But when she screamed my first name, I couldn’t resist givin’ her my last.” I wink at Delilah and her whole face beets red.