June The man parks in the loading bay at the back of the Rotesbury mansion and gets out. I don’t move when he offers a hand. “Come on. We’re late.” “Late to what? What are we doing here?” But a piece of me knows. A terrible, awful part gibbers in the back of my mind and the rational slice of my brain has to ignore it; otherwise I’ll finally break. The man reaches in, drags me from the truck, and throws me over his shoulder. Air gets shoved from my lungs in a whoosh as he carries me in through the unlocked back entrance, along service halls, past familiar decorations, and into the bridal suite. It’s a large bedroom on the third floor. Big windows overlook Rittenhouse Park. I personally added flowers and rose petals to the bed. Candles surround the vintage vanity. Gifts of wine and champagne are lined up along the sideboard. I’m thrown onto the mattress like I’m a suitcase. “Get dressed.” The man turns to leave. “Wait a second. Please, just wait. Why are we here? What’s happening to me?” He hesitates at the door then gestures toward the closet. “Put it on. You have ten minutes.” “You’re related to him, aren’t you? You’re related to Rafe.” The man flinches. He scrubs a hand through his hair. “Should’ve worn fucking contacts,” he mumbles. “It’s the tattoo also. I noticed it on the ride over.” He touches the letters on his knuckles. Ashes. “Gloves next time too.” “Please, why is Rafe doing this? Just tell me what’s going on.” The man turns. The resemblance is even clearer now. There’s no doubt, he’s a close relative of Rafe’s, probably a brother, though a few years younger. His body’s muscular, his shoulders like battering rams, his nose crooked, his face handsome. “Rafe’s got his reasons. But I’ll tell you this. Your daughter is safe. Theodora’s taking care of her. And your friend’s on the way to Jefferson Hospital right now. Can’t promise she’ll make it, but we’ll see.” My guts sink at the thought of Marnie. “Who’s Theodora?” “A lawyer. She’s alright. Put on the dress, June, and don’t make this hard.”
“Please, I want to see Hattie.” “For fuck’s sake—“ The man glares at me. “You want to see your daughter? Put on the fucking dress. God damn, I should’ve stayed in the woods.” He storms out, slamming the door behind him. I look around in stunned silence. What the fuck is happening? What the fuck is going on? I’m on the edge of losing my mind. These people have Hattie—they have my daughter—but that man looked just like Rafe. Am I seriously kidnapped right now? But no, think, damn it, think. I pace around the room, trying to clear my head. This isn’t some dungeon they threw me in. I’m not trapped at the bottom of a well rubbing lotion into my skin. This is the wedding Beth and I planned. Which is honestly weirder. I stop at the dress. It’s draped over the side of the bed and I don’t remember putting it there. So where’d it come from? And why the hell am I supposed to put it on? A sick terror rings straight down to my toes. But that man’s words ke ep fluttering around my head. You want to see your daughter? Put on the fucking dress. Rafe’s fingers are all over this disgusting mess. But what other choice do I have? There’s no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t have survived the night if the man in the mask had taken me away. No bizarre wedding, no dress, just dead. Instead, I’m here. I lift the hem and rub it between my fingers. Silk. And good quality, too. I hold it against my body and another cold shiver rolls down my spine. It’s definitely my size. What the fuck is happening right now? I’m shaking as I take off my clothes. I’ve never been so vulnerable before in all my life but I’d do anything for my daughter. If they hurt her, I’m going to murder them all. But something tells me they didn’t. It’s the eyes. Those eyes. Her eyes. His eyes. Rafe and his daughter.
I feel sick standing in front of a full-length mirror. The dress fits me perfectly. It was clearly tailored to my curves. The neckline is plunging and the back goes down de ep. Stones glitter in elegant swe eps down to the lowest edges which graze the floor. It’s stunning. I look beautiful and I hate it. There’s a bang at the door. I yelp and turn as it opens but nobody enters. “You decent?” It’s him again. “I’m wearing the dress. Please, I need to see my daughter.” He swe eps inside and tosses a pair of flats at me. “Put these on. We’re running late.” “Please—“ “God damn it, stop being difficult.” He rubs his forehead. “Your daughter is fine. She’s waiting with everyone else and you’ll see her in five minutes if you do as I say.” That gets my attention. She’s with other people? What are they doing to her? It’s taking a lot of willpower not to melt down but I get the sense this man won’t take it well if I turn into a blubbering mess on the floor. Besides, Hattie needs me to be strong. “Where are we going?” I ask. “You’ll see.” “Who are you? What’s your name?” He turns to leave. “It doesn’t matter.” “You’re with him, aren’t you? You’re related to Rafe.” He glances back and seems genuinely interested for the first time since he brutally saved my life. “My name’s Cassian. Come on, he’s waiting.” I slip the shoes on. Again, a perfect fit. How did he know? This is like a dream. Exc ept worse, because I built it. Allegedly for some mysterious couple—who didn’t want to be seen, spoken to, or thought about. Now all those odd little quirks we ignored because the money was so good seem damn ominous. I hurry to ke ep up as Cassian storms into the hall, heading down to where the ceremony is supposed to take place tomorrow morning. I have to hold my dress so it doesn’t drag on the floor. “Are you his cousin?” I ask when I catch up. I can’t help myself. Questions bubble out when I get nervous. “How many people are here? Who’s waiting for us?” Cassian glares straight ahead and ignores me.
“Hattie’s safe, right? Who was that breaking into our house? Why were you waiting?” “I don’t know what the hell he sees in you,” Cassian grumbles as we reach the main door to the massive library. Normally, it’s a basic and dour space, but I spent a lot of time and effort to get it ready. Cassian turns to face me. “Don’t fuck this up for him. Do you understand me? Rafe does nothing for himself, ever, and I won’t have you making a mess of his damn wedding.” “But I don’t... I’m not...” I look down at myself. The horror of my situation slowly unfolding. “You can’t be serious?” “If Rafe were standing with you right now, he’d give you an option.” Cassian leans in, voice lowering. “I’m not my brother. You will walk down the aisle. You will stand across from him and speak the vows. If you don’t, you will die. Not by my hand, nor by anyone in this room, but I swear it now, nobody will st ep in when they finally come. You have no options. You have no alternatives. You will wear my brother’s ring and play his bride. Beyond that—“ Cassian straightens and flings open the doors. “I don’t give a fuck.” The wedding march starts as cold terror filters down my exposed back. This can’t be happening. No, no, no, please, no, God, no— The library is gorgeous. Fairy lights hang wrapped around creme and silver streamers. Flowers are strewn over every surface. It looks like a wonderland in here, like a beautiful, serene, magical meadow was transported into this old clumsy space. People stand and stare at me. I don’t recognize most of them. There are maybe a dozen, far less than we had planned for, spaced out across the folding chairs. The effect is strange and bewildering. Cassian takes my arm, gripping it tightly, and starts walking forward— I follow. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Everyone’s staring. I look around desperately, hoping someone might st ep in to save me. Surely they know I don’t want this? Someone’s got to realize I’m being kidnapped and forced into a marriage. They don’t move a muscle, and I’m drifting to the edge of pure, animal panic, when I see her. Standing toward the front beside a tall, beautiful woman, is my little girl, Hattie. She’s smiling. My god, she’s okay. I let out a strangled sob and only bite back full-on tears at a glance from Cassian. Hattie’s waving at me and grinning, clapping and bouncing, like this is some kind of game. The woman bends to whisper something. Hattie comes running out into the aisle and flings herself at me. I drop to my knees and take her into my arms, hugging her tight.
“Are you okay, baby?” “Mommy, you didn’t tell me you were getting married! You’re so pretty!” I pull back, heart racing. Cassian looms over me. “It’ll be okay, honey, don’t worry.” “You look like a princess.” Hattie’s beaming with pure wonder and innocence. The woman arrives and gently steers Hattie away. “Don’t worry,” she murmurs. “She’s fine no matter what.” Cassian grunts and tugs me to my feet as my daughter is led back to her position at the front. “Don’t forget what I said,” he mutters, jaw set, and we resume our walk. The final twenty feet. I make myself focus. Now that I see Hattie’s well, there’s extra space in my brain. I’m getting married. I’ve been planning my own wedding for a couple weeks. Rafe’s brother is escorting me to the altar, and there he’s standing with an old man wearing priest’s robes— Rafe looks like Lucifer incarnate. His suit’s all black. His shirt beneath is black, his tie is black, his shoes, his tattoos, every inch of him is black, exc ept his skin and his eyes. It’s startling, how handsome he looks, like a demon built to pleasure me and break me and make me full of hate. I tremble as I’m d eposited across from him and Rafe takes my hands, holding them firmly, staring down into my face like he’s trying to read something. “Your problem now,” Cassian mutters as he stalks off to sit at the very back of the room. “Please be seated.” The priest clears his throat. If he knows I’m being forced into this, he doesn’t show it. But now I’m thinking about Cassian brutally murdering that stranger in my house, about his warning in the hall— And Hattie sitting among them. Monsters, all of them are monsters, and Rafe might be the worst of all. “Dearly beloved, we gather here to witness the union of these two souls. Rafe Corvino and June—“ The priest hesitates, glancing at me. “Ashworth,” I say, voice shaking. The priest clears his throat, smiles apologetically, and continues with the ceremony. All the while Rafe watches me with that disconcerting desperation, and I don’t understand any of this. There’s blood in my kitchen and a killer in a suit, and I’m wearing a dress that must have been meant for someone else, because surely— But no, I’m deluding myself. This was always about him from the start. He’s back and he’s not going anywhere. Not this time.
I curse myself a thousand times as the priest says the words that will damn me to hell. Why did I ever sle ep with this monster? Why did I go back to that room? But if I hadn’t, I never would’ve gotten Hattie. Can I really hate him this much? Yeah. I sure as fuck can. “Rafe Corvino, do you take this woman to be your wife—to have and to hold from this day forward, to honor and to ke ep her, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, so long as you both shall live?” “I do.” No hesitation. This can’t be happening. “June Ashworth, do you take—“ “I do,” I say before he can get through the full list. The crowd titters. Rafe tightens his grip on my hands. “Let the man finish, love,” he says softly. “I’m not your love. Rafe, what is—“ “Shush now.” Rafe nods to the priest. “Finish it, Father.” The priest coughs. “Ah, I was saying—to have and to hold from this day forward, to honor and to ke ep him, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, so long as you both shall live?” “I have to,” I say, eyes downcast. “I do.” Because of Hattie. Because they have my daughter. I want to scream with the horror of it. “With this ring, I marry you. What I have is yours, what is mine, I put between you and the world.” Rafe leans down and kisses my finger before slipping a simple gold ring on. It fits. Yet again. Almost like he planned this down to the last detail. “What God has joined, let no one divide. By the authority entrusted to me, I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss—“ Rafe enfolds me in his arms and presses his mouth to mine. I’m dizzy. I barely kiss him back at first, but I can’t stop myself. Soon I’m hungry for him, desperate for his taste as it all floods back: that night, locked in my brain, the ecstasy of him, the terror I felt then and now, bending and breaking against the walls of my mind. He holds me tight as I whimper and releases his lips from mine, pulling back to stare into my eyes. There’s no sorrow, no uncertainty, no hint that what’s happening is wrong. “Now you’re both mine,” he says and whisks me away, back down the aisle. “Wait,” I say, twisting, looking back. “Hattie—“
“Our daughter will not be s eparated from us, don’t worry. Theodora is bringing her along.” “Who? What’s happening? Rafe—“ “I’ll explain another time.” He tugs me closer. “Nod to Cassian. We owe him a debt.” The brother waves casually like he can’t wait to get the hell out of here as I’m marched past. “Why are you doing this?” He says nothing. I’m led into the hall, but he doesn’t stop there. Rafe continues on, through the mansion, down to the rear entrance. I struggle at one point but his grip is iron and all he does is growl for me to stay calm or else he’ll have to drag me by the skull. And won’t that be a pity? To ruin the bride’s beautiful hair on her wedding night? It’s sick. There’s a black car waiting and I have the sudden epiphany that if I get in there, I won’t ever be free again. I yank backwards, nearly stumbling, scrambling for the sidewalk, blindly freaking out— “Mommy, what’s the matter?” I look up to see the tall woman, Theodora, holding Hattie’s hand. Rafe looms by my side. His face is thunder and death. It’s beautiful and horrible all at once. He holds out a hand. “Get up, wife. We’re leaving.” “Mommy?” Hattie sounds scared. “Did you fall?” “I’m okay, baby.” I let Rafe help me up. “Mommy slipped, that’s all.” “I fall a lot,” Hattie says proudly to Theodora. “But I don’t cry. Sometimes I cry. I cry a little but not a lot.” “That’s a strong girl,” Theodora says. Rafe leads me to the car. We’re about to get in when an older man comes hurrying toward us from the venue, smiling broadly. Rafe curses under his breath but turns to meet him. “Ignazio,” Rafe says, tone neutral, bordering on unhappy. “Congratulations, Don Corvino.” Ignazio hugs Rafe tightly and kisses both his cheeks. He’s in his late sixties, balding, heavy-set, with a wide and charming face. His suit is well cut though and his shoes gleam. “We’re all so proud of what you’ve become.” “Thank you, Ignazio.” “Can I meet the bride?” He peers at me curiously. “Hello, dear, it’s nice to make your acquaintance.”
I say nothing as Rafe steers him away. They share quiet words before Rafe ushers the old man back into the building. “Who was that?” I ask as I climb into the back of the car. “My accountant.” He follows, hemming me against the far window, and the door slams shut. “Wait, what about Hattie?” “They’ll follow.” “No, wait—“ “Enough.” Rafe’s hand lands on my mouth. He covers it as the car pulls forward. The driver raises the divider between us, sealing me into my coffin. Rafe’s breathing hard, pinning me down. There’s a feral gleam in his eye. “You will listen now.” I nod, too afraid to fight back. He moves his palm from my lips, but doesn’t lean away. “I never wanted this.” He says it like the words hurt, but he’s not softening at all. There’s only rage in his expression. “But it’s happening. You and Hattie were safe for a long time, but that’s over now. This is how I protect you. This is how I ke ep you safe. We have a long drive to my house, wife of mine, and I will not spend it answering your questions. Do you understand?” “Not at all.” “It doesn’t matter.” He forces himself back into his place. “Put on your seatbelt.” “Hattie—“ “I will cut my own throat before my daughter is harmed.” “She is not your daughter.” I bite out the words. Anger simmers, battling the terror. “And I’m not your wife.” He looks out the window, ignoring me now. “We’ll see.” And lapses into silence. I open my mouth to scream, to fight, to do anything at all, but nothing comes out. I’m exhausted, afraid, and confused. I still don’t fully comprehend how this is happening. It can’t be legal, right? That priest, what we did? This ring? This dress? Nothing makes sense. But some things are true. There’s a corpse in my house. And I planned my own wedding. Now I’m trapped with a monster and I don’t know how I’ll survive him.