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“Don’t give me that politically correct bullshit, Noemi.” He spun me around before locking me back in his arms, surprising me with his ballroom moves. “Why do you want to continue to go through with this? I’ve told you… I can call this whole thing off, and you can be free of him.”

Opening my mouth to do just that, I glanced around him and locked eyes with Chandler, who was dancing with my mother.

I’m sure he was laying it on thick because she was giggling like a schoolgirl.

My mother knew I hated him, but she was the type who always tried to see the good in people and any situation.

She truly believed with time, he and I would learn to respect and love each other.

As if he felt my eyes on him, he found mine.

A sinister smile formed on his lips, and I shivered.

My mother being hurt by him came to my mind, and I knew I would never allow him to do that.

“Chandler isn’t the man I envisioned my life with, but I’m okay with that. You have to keep your enemies closer, right?” I laughed humorlessly. “I’m okay, Rosier, honestly. I want to do this.”

“What about Skip?” I damn near lost my footing as we swayed. “Do you love him?” I snapped my head up and locked eyes with my oldest brother. “Can you marry Chandler knowing your heart belongs to another man?”

Jordan had been on my mind for weeks, and my heart called out to him.

I miss him more and more every day, but I know he and I can never be.

I’ve known since the night he dropped everything and flew here to be with me that I loved him.

He did hurt my feelings by insinuating that I could have told him about his ex sooner, but that did nothing to change how I felt for him.

I haven’t spoken to him since that conversation, but I knew he would make it through his situation to ensure his family’s safety, especially Gianna’s.

He and I will never be together. It hurts, but that’s just what it has to be.

“Jordan and I are friends, Rosier,” I replied, trying my hardest not to become emotional.

“Do I love him?” I looked away for a moment and then back up to him.

“Enough to know just because you crave something with your soul doesn’t mean it’s the best thing for you.

Sometimes… you have to be uncomfortable with the cards you’re dealt and let go… even if it hurts.”

“Nah.” He shook his head and stopped dancing. “You’re not going to?—”

“Excuse me, everyone…” Chandler tapped the mic and stopped the music.

The dancing and chatter around us ceased.

“If I can have your attention, please.” He gave his signature smile as everyone, including me, turned toward the stage.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for coming out tonight in support of Noemi and I. Baby, come here.”

Detaching from my brother, I glanced back at him as he was hesitant to let me go. Letting him know it was okay with my eyes, he sighed and gave me the go-ahead. People parted and stepped to the side, giving me a clear path to the stage. Upon reaching it, Chan helped me up and kissed my hand.

“Noemi, I know things haven’t been perfect and easy with me, but I appreciate you for remaining by my side.

” His eyes held so much deceit that I wanted to call bullshit.

“I’m looking forward to a lifetime of happiness with you.

I can’t wait to start a family with you, tying our families together forever .

A little girl with your sass and beauty will keep us all in line.

” The guests all laughed because they knew I was a handful all by myself.

“But the thing is, I don’t want to wait any longer to call you my wife.

” Eyeing him skeptically, I watched as he reached into his pocket and removed a small diamond ring.

Granted, I know this marriage is one of love and appreciation, but I was expecting a little more in the jewelry department.

Hell, this event probably cost more than the ring.

“Do me the honor of marrying me tonight in front of all of our family and friends. What do you say, baby? Are you ready to do this?”

The crowd clapped and cheered while I stood there in shock.

My palms were sweating, and my heart felt like it was about to beat out of my chest. His throwing this engagement party was one thing, but turning it into an actual wedding?

Chan was backing me into a wall, and the grin on his face told me he knew it.

Looking around the room, I knew I couldn’t say no in front of all these people.

Finding my family in the crowd, I could tell from the fire in my brothers’ eyes that they were just as shocked as me.

Once they headed toward the stage, I knew I had to do something, or it was going to turn into a blood bath.

“Yes,” I croaked, barely above a whisper. “I’ll marry you tonight.”

Smiling brightly, he pulled me into his arms and planted a kiss on my lips. I placed my hands on his chest to push him back, but he wouldn’t budge. When he let me go for air, I had to stop myself from scrubbing my lips clean.

“I have an officiant here, and we can do it now.” He smirked, pulling me toward a man I’d never seen before. The crowd had quieted back down as he spoke into the microphone. “We can start now?—”

“Wait!” I yelled as I snatched the microphone from him, finally finding my voice. The fire in his eyes was instant. “If we’re going to do this tonight, I want my brother to officiate it.”

Squinting his eyes, I knew he wasn’t happy about my public protest, but I didn’t care. If we were going to do this, it was going to be Jules or no one. Turning around toward the crowd, Jules stepped to the stage as Rosier looked on with rage.

“You sure about this?” was the first thing my brother asked as I placed my hand on his shoulder. His eyes held all the love he had for me, but the worry couldn’t be missed. “You don’t have to do this.”

“What the fuck do you mean?—”

“I’m sure,” I answered him as I cut Chandler off. The crowd had grown so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. “Will you please do me the honor? I’m not getting married unless my big brother officiates.”

Nodding, he dragged his eyes over to Chan, and I prayed he didn’t turn this man into a rodent in front of all these people. He reached for the microphone, and Chandler’s hesitancy to hand it over was witnessed by all.

Staring at each other for a moment, a grin formed on Jules’ face as he began to speak.

“Chan, I wish you the best with the hellion you’re about to bind yourself to.

” Stepping back, we took our places on the stage as Jules did the same.

Winking at me, he cracked his neck a few times.

I dropped my head to keep from laughing.

He didn’t have a serious bone in his body. “Let’s get you two hitched.”

"Welcome home, Mrs. Gourneau."

Pushing down the bile I felt rising in my throat, I crossed over the threshold into Chandler's home. I’ve stayed over here once or twice, so I’m familiar with the layout of his home.

Everything about his place screamed bachelor pad.

I knew the paintings on the wall and furniture pieces were expensive, but there was nothing he could ever do to this place that would make it feel like home to me.

“I thought I told you I didn’t want to live in a home where you’ve fucked other women.

” I spun on my heels and found him staring at me.

Crossing my arms, I shot daggers his way.

“So, is this what life is going to be like? Asking you to compromise and getting nothing in return? The contract states?—”

“Fuck the contract, Noemi.” He pushed off the wall, stalking toward me as if I were his prey.

In a way, I was. “You’re my wife now, and the actions or things you’re given from this day forward are dependent upon how well you perform duties.

Tonight…” He pushed one of my loose locs from my face, and I immediately saw the hunger fill his eyes.

“Is where it will all begin. You’re my wife now, and this will be our home until you prove to me that you deserve better.

The more you fight me on this, the worse your hell will be. ”

Dragging his finger down my exposed chest, my skin felt as if it was sizzling. The mere touch of this man made me want to rip it off. My chest was visibly throbbing as I watched him undress me with his eyes.

“You did a good thing marrying me tonight.” He chuckled as he spun me around, pinning my back to his front.

“I was almost hoping you would’ve fought me.

I wanted a reason to cause your family pain.

Marrying you will do for now because I know you are carrying my last name, which is killing your brother. ”

Standing in the middle of his living room, I held my breath as his hands roamed my body. I knew what I was getting into by marrying him, just like I knew what he wanted from me tonight. Instead of making matters worse by rejecting him, I decided to approach things a different way.

“Wait!” I pulled from him before he could slide his hand down the middle of my corset. “I need to go upstairs and shower. I’ve been in this dress all evening. We’ve been dancing and sweating. It’s best I am fresh for our encounter.”

Giving me his evil eye, he relented as he strolled to his dining area with me closely following. The room was so vast and immaculate that it pretty much could have been its own wing. The arrangement on the extra-long island of different sandwiches, fruits, cheese, and wine caused me to pause.