Page 116 of Cruel Vows


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Sean’s hand presses against my bare back, fingers skimming over the top of the low back of my dress. “Perfect.”

We head over to the table stacked high with little appetizers, filling our plates before taking off to a small corner of the reception area.

I perch on a low stone wall, crossing one leg over the other and balancing the plate on my knee. “I can’t believe you surprised me with a tattoo artist.”

“You were talking about how you wanted to get some the other week. I checked with Libby, and she said that she would be willing to fit us into her schedule.”

I pop one of the brie and ham rolls into my mouth, groaning as my stomach starts to growl. We finish off the little plates of food before making our way back over to Libby.

Stretching out on the table, I wait for the scratch of the needle against my back after the stencil is applied.

Sean reaches across the gap between us, taking my hand while the other artist starts to work on his arm.

Soft music plays and people dance, coming over every so often to check on the progress of the tattoos.

Royce wanders over when they’re nearly done, stooping down in front of me.

“Well, El, I didn’t think I was ever going to see the day when you and Sean could be together without wringing each other’s necks, but you’ve proven me wrong. Always knew you would be the first Lynde sibling to settle down, though.”

I snort, gritting my teeth as Libby goes back in with the white ink. “The rest of you are all too restless.”

He chuckles and shrugs, standing up. “Too many women and not enough time to settle down with just one. Especially not with all the other shit going on. The two of you, though, that’s another story.”

Sean’s tattoo done, he stands up to show me, cutting Royce off before he can say anything else about his mission to avoid marriage.

“What do you think, El?”

“It’s beautiful.” I stare at the pretty black and gray tattoo, grinning when my own is finished. “It’s beautiful.”

Aiden saunters over. “It’s time for the two of you to come entertain your guests for a little bit.”

Laughing, I lead the way to the dance floor, Sean trailing behind me even though I know he has no more intention of dancing.

As the sun sinks deeper and the stars dance in the sky, I spend my time bopping around to the songs and celebrating with my family.

“Did you have a good wedding?”Sean asks as we swirl beneath the stars for our last dance.

People filter out of the reception, leaving only my siblings behind as Sean twirls me around before dipping me low.

I sigh happily, leaning into his embrace. “I had a great wedding, but I was serious. This is the last one. As much as I enjoy marrying you, I want to spend some time being married and not planning another wedding.”

He laughs and kisses the tip of my nose as the song comes to an end. “Well, it looks like the wedding is finally over. We can start doing the marriage part.”

We leave the dance floor together, joining my family gathered around a fire pit, wrapped in blankets and leaning back in wooden chairs.

Summer looks up at me with a smile before turning and saying something to Jade about school. Skyla leans over, putting her hand on mine and giving it a squeeze.

I grin at my older sister, taking the blanket she offers me and draping it over my lap.

“Thanks.”

Skyla hums and reaches for her bottle of beer. “You know, Mom and Dad would be proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”

Royce abandons his chair to come sit on the ground between us. “Dad would be pissed that Noah is still running free. Especially when we almost had him after he kidnapped you.”

Aiden sips his own drink, staring into the fire. “He’s not going to get away with everything he’s done.”

I groan and scrub a hand down my face. “This would all be easier if the damn war never started in the first place. We wouldn’t be sitting here talking about who to kill and who not to kill.”

Sean grabs a beer out of the cooler and cracks it open. “There’s no question about it, El. Noah has to die after all that he’s done to the family. If we ever want a chance to raise kids in peace, he can’t be walking the damn city anymore.”

Royce nods his agreement. “I’m happy for both of you, but it’s time to start thinking about what comes next. Noah has been quiet for nearly five months. We have to wonder what he’s doing.”

“I know.” I pull the blanket higher, snuggling into the soft red plaid material. Glancing over at Aiden, I take a deep breath. “So, what’s the plan?”

Aiden smirks, swirling the beer around in his bottle.

“If Noah wants to play the kidnapping game, then we’re going to play the kidnapping game.”