Page 108 of Tragic Empire

“I wouldn’t have killed her,” I tell him with a tight smile in return. “At first.”

“You’re the most possessive woman in an arranged marriage I’ve ever met,” Colton says through a chuckle. “Holster your weapon and play nice, will you? I can’t have my two favorite ladies fighting.”

His mother laughs happily. “Who says we’re fighting? I already like the girl.”

“Of course you’d imprint on her after she held you at gunpoint,” Armani chimes, shaking his head while smiling. Looking her up and down and whistling appreciatively, he adds, “Looking fine as hell as always, Mama Wyatt.”

“And you wonder why my father despises you,” Colton says disapprovingly.

Armani flashes his playboy smile. “Oh, Daddy Levi can get it too. Talk about a dream three-way?—”

“Disgusting,” Colton grimaces, cutting Armani off.

“And people think you two are dating,” I scoff, finally putting my weapon in a holster at the small of my back.

Cassio approaches, ignoring the banter around us and cups my face on both sides. We share a soft and intimate kiss before he asks, “You okay, baby?”

“Better now,” I say, releasing a sigh. “A heads up when we’re having guests would be appreciated next time.”

“I didn’t want to wake you,” he explains but brings my hands to his mouth to kiss in apology. “It won’t happen again, my love.”

“See that it doesn’t, Husband.”

“She’s here for you anyway, doll,” Colton chimes. “She brought gifts.”

“Gifts?” I ask doubtfully, allowing my husband to guide me into the group.Why would a woman I’ve never met before have gifts for me?

But I suppose she must since Colton’s mom waves a small black box, holding it out excitedly.

“Winona makes self-defense jewelry for women,” Cassio explains, taking the box from her. “I reached out a little while ago to have her make you a few things.”

That makes more sense. Winona didn’t go out of her way to give me a present from herself, she’s simply the maker of the gift and Cassio is the giver. I imagine she only decided to deliver them herself to see her son.

“You did?” I ask, softening up immediately.

My husband is spoiling me with weapons instead of diamonds…God, why is that so sweet?

When Cassio opens the little black box, my eyes light up as he starts to show me the various contents within. A belt that hides a knife in the center clasp that I can wear with jeans, a stick of deodorant that opens to a taser, rather than antiperspirant, and more. The lipstick tube that twists up a triangle knife instead of makeup gets the biggest reaction.

“That one’s great because it may look small, but the shape makes it very strong. And triangle wounds are more difficult to stitch, which can mean the fucker you stick with it bleeds for longer,” Colton tells me enthusiastically.

“You can fuck someone up real bad with that thing,” Armani agrees, grinning. “Imagine the dent it would put in the jugular, ouch.”

“I like them all,” I say, grinning at my new possessions.

“We haven’t even gotten to the best one,” Cassio tells me, kissing my temple before nodding to Colton’s mother. “Show her.”

The weapon Winona pulls out of her purse is… confusing. It looks like a scrunchie with a covered knife dangling upside down from the loop. My face must betray my bewilderment, because she chuckles lightly.

“This one is great for you because you have this gorgeous thick hair,” Winona says, gesturing for me to spin around.

“Thank you,” I reply, accepting the compliment and turning on my heels. I can’t stay mad at one of my good friend’s mothers, after all.

I know I take a while to warm up, and Winona and I definitely didn’t start on the right foot. But she seems willing to brush the confrontation under the rug, and I need to attempt to do the same. For Colton.

Using my existing ponytail as an example, she wraps the scrunchie around it twice, tucking the hanging knife seamlessly into my hair.

“Perfect,” she comments happily. “You can’t see it at all. If you need it while you’re wearing it. Simply pull on the handle, and the sheath will stay attached to the base, that way you can tug it out easily.”