Forbidden Fate (Crowne Point 3)

Lottie took a deep breath. “I hadn’t planned for the world to know, but I guess I probably should’ve prepared for that.”

Planned? Prepared?

I couldn’t help it. My shock had me lifting my head, and I found her already looking at me.

“Oh no. Did you think he did that on his own?” she asked softly. “Who do you think gave him permission? He had to get you out of his system someway.”

My breath rushed out of me, as knowing washed over me.

The letter.

I shouldn’t have been surprised Lottie knew we’d slept together; it was exactly what I’d come to expect from the rich.

Still, I felt dirtier than before, when I’d only been a cheater. Now I was used. Stupid, too. I grasped my hand, rubbing my ring finger. Every good thing about that memory stained and tarnished and ruined.

I turned on my heel, ready to get out, end this night as quickly as possible.

“Where are you going?” Lottie asked to my back. “I need my girl.”

“I’ve already dressed you. What else do you need, Miss du Lac?”

Her nostrils flared. “Mrs. Grayson Crowne.”

I clenched my jaw, but this time I didn’t say sorry. I just stared back.

“What do you need, Mrs. Crowne?”

She glowered. “It’s my wedding night. What do you think?”

My blood temperature dropped. “You can’t be serious.”

She blinked and looked away.

“You’re supposed to be my girl.” I realized tears had filled her eyes. She honestly looked terrified. “You stole my girl’s spot. You stole my spot. You can’t even do this? Do you think I want—” She broke off on a sob. “You’ll come and get the sheets.”

Just as the door opened behind us.

GRAY

* * *

Snitch was talking to Lottie when I came to her. It was some kind of perverted fantasy, seeing my girl before my wife.

Lottie lifted her eyes to mine. “Remember what I said.”

“Of course, Mrs. Crowne,” Snitch said, and bowed her head and left.

My head swiveled to follow her down the hall. I wasn’t sure if she was wearing her locket. I didn’t fucking like that. Didn’t like when she’d tried to hide it from me.

“Sure you don’t want to chase after her?” Lottie asked.

Shit.

Caught.

“Lottie—”

She put up a hand, turning away. “This is the worst wedding night in the history of wedding nights.”