Page 167 of The Billionaire's Baby

The car in front rolls forward and a cacophony of horns sounds. Shit, I am going to get into so much trouble. But what-bloody-ever. Nothing is more important than getting to my woman in time. My heart begins to race. My pulse rate ratchets up. I increase my pace, reach the sidewalk and sprint forward. I reach the steps of City Hall, which is when I spot Sterling.

"Come to your senses finally?" He smirks.

I show him the bird, then race up the steps two at a time. What the hell is he doing out here, anyway?

I reach the top of the steps, when Saint shoves open the door for me. "About time," he grunts as I race past him.

Of course, all the Seven—except Baron—would be here to witness me being brought to my knees, but what the hell do I care? All that matters is that I get to her in time.

I race up the winding staircase inside, reach the first landing, where Weston smirks. "That way, ol' chap," he jerks his chin to the left. I race up the next flight of steps, then pause. Which way? Which way should I go?

Damian pushes away from the wall, heads to me, "You seem lost, my man."

"Shut your bloody trap," I pant. My chest heaves. Sweat trickles into my eyes and I wipe it away. "Which way?" I growl.

"Told ya, you'd come to your senses."

"Tell me, you tosser, or else."

He stabs his thumb to his right, and I take off. I race down the corridor, past the line of couples waiting, to the closed door at the end.

Nikolai stands at the doorway, folds his arms over his chest, "You can't go in."

"I have to," I choke out. "My...my...woman... My heart... My... Karina." I can barely get the words out. "She's inside."

His jaw firms. "If you think I am going to let you interrupt my sister's wedding, you are mistaken."

I glance at my watch. "Look," I show him the face of my watch, "it's only 8.57 am. It's not too late. She's not married yet. There's still time for me to stop this."

He shakes his head. "I can't let you in."

Anger thuds at my temples and adrenaline laces my blood,

"Get out of the way," I glare at him, "NOW."

The skin around his lips tightens. "You need to leave," he demands, "NOW."

"I'm not going anywhere." I raise my fist. "But if you don’t move, things are about to become very ugly."

56

Karina

"What time is it?" I ask.

"The same as when you asked me two minutes ago," Isla mutters.

"That's two minutes since our last conversation." I scowl. "So, it's not the same time as when we last spoke, is it?"

"Fine, fine." She throws up her hands, then stares at the watch on her wrist. "It's 8.58 am."

"Shit." I hunch my shoulders.He's not coming. He's not coming. I thought, for sure, he’d come. How am I going to face these people? How am I going to live my life without him?I chew on my nail, and Isla leans forward and slaps my hand.

"Ow," I grimace. "What was that for?"

"You don’t want to get married with bitten down nails, do you?"

"I don't want to get married, period," I mumble as I stare down at my hands. We're in a small room next to the registrar's office, and just off the hallway where the other couples are lining up for their turn. Don't ask me how, but Isla has arranged this private space for me. That woman is a genius when it comes to organizing events. Not that this is anywhere close to the weddings she’s organized for the rest of the Seven. But then, nothing about this situation is ordinary, is it?