Page 90 of Thorns of Desire

“Just a lot of unprotected sex, huh?” she teased, pulling my attention.

I shook my head. “You’d think we’d have known better.”

She raised both palms. “Not for me to judge.”

“I’m just disappointed in myself,” I admitted, standing in my underwear as I scouted my dress options. “I promised myself I wouldn’t repeat my mom’s mistake.”

“Well, you didn’t exactly repeat her mistake.”

“How do you figure that?” I asked her as I stepped into a simple couture dress with a neckline that elongated my silhouette. It was minimalistic yet stunning.

“She was banging a married man,” she explained. “Manuel is single. And he wants to marry you.”

“But he’s a criminal.”

Isla knew this world, the dangers of it, with her husband and brother being in the mafia.

Isla shrugged. “They’re better criminals than our fathers, and more importantly, more caring.”

She was right. Our fathers didn’t deserve us. Their selfishness and inability to remain faithful started shit, and they’d left us behind to deal with the consequences of their actions.

“You’re right,” I whispered. “You’re so damn right.”

I swung around and studied myself in the mirror.

“Holy shit,” she murmured. “I think you found your dress.”

“Yes,” I agreed, unable to peel my gaze from my reflection. The dress clung to me like a second skin while accentuating my waist and softening my curves. “I think you’re right.”

My eyes darted to the door again. Wherewasshe?

Isla must have picked up on my mounting anxiety. “She knows only the bride wears a wedding dress, right? Surely she’s done by now.”

I laughed, but there wasn’t much humor in it. “Maybe she got lost on her way back from her room.”

“Does your mom know about the baby?” she asked, her voice low. “She was in shock when we picked her up and kept asking for the reasoning behind this whirlwind wedding.”

“No, she doesn’t know.”

“Are you going to tell her?”

“Eventually. If only she hadn’t dated him before.”

Her eyes widened. “Get the fuck out. You’re making that shit up.”

I shook my head. “I wish.”

“So you’re sleeping with your mother’s ex-lover.” She smirked, her voice dry. “She must be overjoyed.”

“Thankfully they never had sex.” I grabbed her hand and squeezed gently. “Promise you’ll never tell anyone.”

She rolled her eyes. “I promise, although the girls wouldn’t judge you.”

“I know, but it still feels weird.” I sighed. “I wish they were all here. I hope they’re okay.”

She stood next to me, eyeing me in the mirror. “They’d be here if they could. They’re going to be fine, Athena. Don’t worry.” She brushed my hair back with gentle hands. “But we won’t be if we don’t make you the most beautiful bride.”

There was a knock at the door and Mom walked in.