Shattered Vows (The Denton Family Legacy 2)

“There’s plenty more where that came from.”

“What about you?” she asked, glancing down at his dick.

His cock had lost some of its stiffness. “I took care of myself. This was about you.” Abel kissed her thigh. “Thank you for trusting me.”

“You’re thanking me?”

“Of course.” Taking hold of her hand, he locked their fingers together. “You’ve never done any of this with anyone else. It’s a gift that you’ve given me, and I’m going to treasure it always.”

“I was wrong about you, Abel.”

“In what way?”

She sat up, leaning forward to cup his cheek. “You’re not a creep at all. You’re a caring guy, and I’m starting to see that I’m the lucky one getting you all to myself.” Then she kissed his lips, tasting herself at the same time. “I’m going to be a better person, and a better wife to you.”

“You are already perfect.” The guilt started, and he didn’t know how to make it fade. Damn, why did she have to go and say shit like that? She didn’t know who he really was, or what he did. Abel avoided any talk about his family’s business. She didn’t know they were the kings of the ugly. The casino was a front to clean their money. They dealt in girls, drugs, crime, everything. They had their morals, and would never deal in human trafficking, or kids. The lives they ended were those that deserved it.

Abel had blood on his hands, and no matter how many times he tried, he’d never get it off, or get it cleaned. He was tainted, he knew that. She didn’t. His parents and even his brothers had tried to warn him. Abel was keeping secrets, and sooner or later, they were going to blow up in his face.

“I’m going to cook us dinner.” She climbed off the counter, kissing his lips.

He watched as she got dressed, and he did the same. She cleaned the counter where he’d eaten her pussy, and then she started to prepare them both something to eat. She was a good cook, which only affirmed that he was damn lucky.

His father didn’t like the path he was taking, and only saw danger ahead for him. Abel couldn’t do it. Harper wasn’t like Lou. She didn’t understand their world, or the roles they played.

“Are you okay?” she asked, cutting into his thoughts.

“What?”

“You seem really lost. Just wondering where you went.”

“I didn’t go anywhere. I’m right here with you.” He walked up to her, wrapping his arms around her. This was where he wanted to be.

****

“How is the annulment process going?” Betty asked.

Harper held the phone to her ear, and looked around her room. She and Abel had enjoyed a beautiful dinner together.

Lara wasn’t there. She was out with Gideon again, which Harper was worried about. Her friend had a tendency to romanticize everything.

“I don’t know.” She bit her lip.

“What do you mean you don’t know? I thought you were determined that by the end of the honeymoon, you’d get him to agree to either a divorce or an annulment.”

She had vowed that. Spending two weeks with him prior to the honeymoon, she’d done everything she could for him to see sense. Abel hadn’t budged. He didn’t want a divorce.

“I kind of like him.”

Harper had found herself warming to him even before the honeymoon. Yes, they were pretty much strangers, and she believed he was keeping stuff from her, but for the most part, she liked him.

“You were the one that thought this was a mistake.”

“I know what I thought. Maybe it was a good mistake? I don’t know. I just, I don’t want to leave. Is that wrong? You know, not wanting to leave?” She sat down on the bed, crossing her legs.

“You’ve got to do what makes you happy. Have you done something that would stop a possible annulment?”

“No, but I want to do something.”