Page 22 of Theirs to Possess: The Marriage Claim

To reinforce their displeasure with my decision, that was when my father cut off the trust fund my grandparents set up for me.

Even though I’d had to balance work, student loans, and my education, the tradeoff was worth it.

“I’m waiting for your answer, little one. Shall we disappear again?”

I bring my chin up. “Absolutely not, Mr. Vale.”

“Dorian,” he corrects. “And later tonight, you’ll be whimpering my name.”

A rush of awareness floods me, but I bring up my chin. “I think not.”

He tightens his grip. “Challenge accepted.”

Will I ever learn to keep my mouth shut?

My new husband is a master of seduction and outrageous proclamations. I can’t even begin to compete.

After checking that we are ready to proceed to dinner, Mrs. Henderson speaks into her headset, then makes her way to the bandstand.

Doors to another ballroom open, and the quartet leader announces it’s time for dinner. Finally we’re done with awful baroque music. Or at least I hope so.

People begin to make their way into the gigantic ballroom. Stunning chandeliers hang from the ceiling, theirthousands of crystals refracting prisms of light. A photo booth with tons of props is off to one side. And there are numerous balloon arches in my wedding colors—Margaux’s wedding colors,I correct myself.

Every table has a vase filled with gorgeous bouquets of flowers. My sister’s favorites, of course.

DJ equipment is set up on a stage alongside a large wooden dance floor.

Quite the festive arrangement. For someone who wants to be here.

As guests find their nameplates, Mrs. Henderson shows the three of us to the head table.

Dante is standing next to it, talking to two other men. A quick glance of the room shows that Altair seems to have disappeared. Since it’s a Saturday night, he’s probably needed at hisclub.I shiver again at the idea of ever visiting. Maybe, though, I should be grateful that Dorian doesn’t intend to drag me there in my wedding gown.

We join the small group that Dante is standing with.

“Gentleman,” Dorian says, interrupting the conversation. “My wife, Isla.”

Another forced smile. After tonight, I’ll need a week for my frozen facial muscles to relax.

“Lucian Hawthorne,” he continues. “And Caleb Pierce.”

I don’t recognize the names, but I shake their hands.

Both are intense and extraordinarily good looking, though Lucian seems to study me for a moment in a calculating way.

“Business associates,” Dorian explains as Brennan greets the men.

Business associates.Like Dante Moretti?

The men appear to be close friends, and no one seems concerned that they’re socializing with the underboss of a crime family.

Even though I am accustomed to mingling with members of high society, that circle hasn’t included actual criminals.

At least I didn’t think so. Until this evening.

Dorian becomes aware that everyone is waiting on us, and so he turns his hand palm up and says, “Please,” to the group we’re with. One by one, beginning with Dante, people take their chairs.

Dorian seats me on his right, and Brennan drops into the seat on his other side.