Page 153 of Villainous Kingpin

“Stop it, Bas,” I croaked, not wanting to see my cousin cry.

“Your cousin has to learn there are consequences to all actions,” he gritted out. “And she practically pushed you into my arms when she went nuts. So maybe she should look in the mirror if she wants to blame someone.”

Oh, fuck. Why did he have to be so brutally honest?

I tugged on his sleeve and begged him. “Bas, that’s not fair.”

Bas stilled. “Get lost. Both of you,” he growled at her and Ivy.

“Go,” I mouthed.

Ivy took Juliette’s hand and pulled her along, scurrying out the door, instead of the secret passage. The wedding hadn’t even started and it was already turning into a catastrophe.

Alone with Bas, his coal black gaze narrowed on me. It was only now I noticed his fitted black tuxedo. It made him look darker and ominous, but also so damn handsome.

I held his gaze, drowning in his dark possessiveness that sent shivers over my body. His chest heaved up and down as a silence full of tension swirled through the air.

“You were going to run, principessa,” he said softly, his gaze darkened. I shook my head, but before I could say anything, he continued, “Don’t lie to me. I heard her plan to clear the block. You didn’t disagree.”

Anger slowly rose within me. “It’s because you barged in like some devil ready to kill,” I snapped back.

“You tell that witch of a cousin to mind her own business and leave the two of us to ours.”

“Why don’t you just start pounding your chest and roar ‘mine’?” I hissed, annoyed. “Jules just wants to protect me. All she knows is that you kidnapped me, so what in the hell did you expect from her?”

He took a step, bringing us chest-to-chest. “Tell her if she ever dares to suggest a stupid fucking idea that will put you in danger again, I’ll make her regret ever speaking to you.”

A tremor ran through me at his words. I must have lost my mind because his darkness tugged at something deep inside me.

He leaned forward until his forehead rested against mine.

“Today, you’re mine. My wife. Nothing and nobody will keep me from you,” he whispered thickly.

My insides caught on fire as I held his gaze.

“This is all wrong,” I said, thick emotions squeezing my throat and making it hard to breathe. “It shouldn’t be like this.”

Basilio grabbed my wrist in an iron grip and pulled me towards the door. My eyes snapped to him, alarmed.

“What are you doing?” I hissed in a small voice. I tried to pull my wrist out of his grip. Unsuccessfully.

He held on tight as if he worried I’d escape. Didn’t he believe my promise?

“I’ll never hurt you,” he hissed, dragging me down a long hallway. I scoffed at that declaration. What did he think he was doing now? “But I won’t tolerate your refusal. You’re mine and the sooner you realize that, the better. You run; I’ll follow. You touch another man; I’ll kill him. Remember that for the rest of our days.”

My step faltered and my eyes widened. Where was the man I fell in love with? The warm brown eyes were replaced with a dark, cold gaze that could freeze this earth, never mind my heart.

I shook my head, whether it was at my thoughts or his actions, I wasn’t sure.

“We’re getting married,” he growled, then tugged me forward.

“B-but we can’t walk down the aisle together,” I protested weakly. Bas had lost his goddamn mind.

Pulling me along, we reached an arched doorway. The entrance to the main chapel. Jesus Christ! He was serious. He’d drag me all the way down to the altar where the priest waited because he didn’t trust me to walk down it alone. In front of all our guests.

“Bas, please be reasonable,” I pleaded. He ignored me, continuing to pull me forward.

My throat was tight, my heart thundered, stealing my breath away.