Page 75 of Wicked Salvation

He closes the door, sealing me off from the outside world.

When he slips into the car from the other side, the first thing he does is put up the privacy screen. The driver has barely made it out of the estate driveway before he begins to speak.

“I meant it, you know,” he mutters. “You do look beautiful. I wish you’d be more appreciative of the fact that I think that.” He takes my wrist a bit too harshly. “This night is ours, Eden.”

I give him another polite smile. “I know, Silas. I won’t do anything to upset you.”

“Perfect,” he holds my chin. “You know how much I love you. That’s why I proposed to you, that’s why we’re getting married.”

I swallow thickly.

For all the talk of going to Augustine to find a husband, the fact that I’mactuallyon the verge of walking down the aisle, my stomach goes cold.

“My father brought me up to speed on the planning process,” he says. “You were right, by the way.” That makes my eyes widen. “I’m sorry for not taking everything seriously when we’re so close to the wedding.” He squeezes my hand. “I hope you can forgive me.”

“Is that really the only thing that happened at the restaurant that you think went wrong?”

Silas gives me a blank stare.

“Are you sure you want to have this conversation on the way to ourengagementparty?” He sneers through his teeth. “You look beautiful. Every relationship has rough patches. Are youplanning on calling everything off because I have a bit of an issue with my temper?”

I open my mouth.

Then close it.

I open it again to say, “No, I don’t want to call it off.” My body is cold, my stomach hollow. “I just want you to admit that you lied to me when you promised that you’d never hurt me. I want you to say that you know it’s wrong.”

Silas hauls me across his lap, giving me a bruising kiss.

“Are you all cranky because we haven’t had sex in a while?” He presses a kiss to my neck. “I promise I’ll make it up to you after the party.” His voice grows husky and deep, and my body betrays me because I feel moisture gathering between my legs. “Be a good girl, and we can sneak away when everyone is champagne drunk. I’ll get you roses.” He plays with the necklace that’s dipped into my bosom. “I’ll take you back to my estate to show you your future home. We can go for a night swim—” He leans in. “Naked.”

I find myself resting my head on his shoulders.

Closing my eyes tight so the tears won’t fall.

Silas is my destiny, and if I behave myself everything will be alright. He only hurts me when he’s upset—and if I never get him upset, he’ll never hurt me. I can behave. I’ve always been well-behaved.

But why does it feel so wrong?

The place hostingour engagement gala is more opulent than even my own. It’s a palace disguised as a hotel—columns and carved gargoyles, ivy-clad towers, balconies dripping in light.Music drifts from somewhere deep inside, soft strings and laughter tangled in champagne bubbles. The streets of London are alive, whispering to me.

At the entrance is ared carpet, lined on each side with photographers. This is when it dawns on me just how important all of this is. A decision made in the secrecy of the Scottish countryside has made it to the ears of everyone who is anyone in England.

And they’re all here awaiting us.

“I didn’t expect it to be like this,” I mutter to Silas.

Our car is queued up behind two others on the street. I watch in awe as men in tailored suits and women dripping in couture and diamonds pose for the cameras. “Are we going to be in the news?” I smooth out my dress, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

I’ve never been the center of attention like this.

Sweat starts to spring in places I didn’t expect, like the place where my thighs touch. Fortunately, I’m wearing stockings—but I have no idea what the night has in store for me.

“Front page of the Sun and Daily Mail more than likely,” Silas says, adjusting his cufflinks. He looks like he’s been preparing for this moment his entire life. “We might only get a one or two page spread in the papers across the pond.”

I’m horrified.

“I…” My mouth is dry. “I didn’t expect it to be this…big.”