Page 126 of Unveil

“I trust your ‘loyalty’ about as far as I can throw you, Bordeaux,” Bossie replies like the church isn’t on the verge of imploding. “Marriage is the only way to ensure alliances. Luna will marry my grandson. That’s final.”

I hate the trembling waver as I plea. “But Ozias doesn’t want this either, Bossie.”

“You’re right.” Her bony hand waves toward Bart. “Another grandbaby of mine will do just fine.”

My stomach lurches.

Dad snaps. “You can’t do this.”

“Actually, I can. I’m ordained and everythin’.” She levels him with a glare. “If you want peace, Bordeaux, then you’ll bear witness while your daughter wins it for you. You should be grateful I invited you here at all. I didn’t get the same courtesy for my daughter’s wedding thanks to the Furys. And you.” She points at me, her long nail gleaming like a talon. “Youwill do as you’re told, girl.”

My cheek burns, blood already going tacky on my skin, but I slowly stand and square my shoulders, raising my chin. “And why on earth would I do that?”

Lightning flashes through the stained glass, splashing muted colors over Bossie’s toothy, malicious smile.

“Because I reckon you like your little Fury boy alive, don’t you? That ain’t gonna last long unless you say ‘I do.’ Right here. Right now.”

Thunder growls, the storm a feral beast rattling the chapel to the studs. It takes me a second to realize the sound is Orion’s bark of bitter laughter.

“There’s no fucking way she’ll do that. Not over my dead?—”

“Boys?”

I scream as every gun whips toward him, one pressing against his temple.

“Stop! Please!”

Bart jerks me backward, stopping me before I can run to Orion, and shoves me to my knees. The splintered wood bites my skin and his grip grinds into my shoulder, but I twist anyway, meeting Bossie’s placid expression with watery eyes.

“Please, Bossie.Pleaselet him go.”

But she doesn’t flinch, eyes cool and lips pressed flat. My lungs catch on jagged sobs as I turn to Orion, my heart physically breaking at the sight of him, one twitch of a finger away from death.

He was seething a moment ago, eyes feral. But when he sees the desperation crumpling my face, his jaw locks and he visibly gulps.

“Luna…” he warns, shaking his head.

“You know what to do, child,” Bossie murmurs.

Blinking back tears, my gaze never leaves his as I force the question through my tight throat.

“If I do this, he’ll go free?”

“Don’t.” The word cracks with Orion’s panic.

“It’s a life for life in our world,” Bossie answers. “Pledge yours to the Wildes, and my boys will release him. You have Bossie Wilde’s word.”

“No,” Orion’s rough plea makes me flinch. “It’s a trick, baby. Don’t listen to her.”

“You have my word,” she repeats.

Hot tears fall down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry.”

“Please, little bird. Don’t.”He battles the ropes, chair rocking violently until one of the men wrenches his shoulder back. “Luna!”

Every muscle in him strains, but all the fight leaves my bones.