Broken Kingdom (Corium University Trilogy 3)

“That’s because I love you, too.” I can’t stop the tears welling in my eyes. “I love you so much. And I’m proud to be your wife.”

“I plan to live up to that pride.” He places a kiss against my forehead, then my nose, before touching his lips to mine. I settle in against his chest and close my eyes. Why can’t we be anywhere but here? We should be getting ready to leave for our honeymoon. Not in a cell, waiting for me to be judged.

At least I’ll have this moment to carry in my heart. Some people don’t get that much.

38

QUINTON

Luckily, Aspen had some comfortable clothes to change into after I took the wedding dress off her. Of course, I would prefer holding her in my arms naked, but knowing that Lucas could be walking in at any minute puts a big damper on that thought.

“I really hope this is the one and only time we’re waking up in a prison cell together,” Aspen mumbles, her voice still heavy with sleep.

“Look at the positive. Not many people can tell their grandkids a cool story like that.”

“I think we have a different idea of what a cool story is.” Aspen giggles, making the too-small cot shake.

“Your giggle might be the cutest thing about you.”

“Cuter than my tits?”

“Your tits aren’t cute. They’re… mouthwatering.” Just as I start grinding my hardening cock against her soft ass, the sound of someone approaching the cell makes me stop and sit up. “I guess it’s time.”

As if someone popped the bubble we built around us, the air in the small room changes in an instant. Gone is the fun, carefree, small talk as we are reminded of where we are and why we are here.

Aspen sits up with me, and we both watch as the door opens, and Lucas walks in. “They are ready. It’s time.”

Grabbing Aspen’s hand, I nod and get up from the cot. We slip into our shoes and follow Lucas out into the hallway.

“We already buttered them up as much as we could. The rest is up to you. Brookshire insists on speaking to you directly. Whatever he says, keep your cool. Both of you,” Lucas urges, giving me an accusing side-eye.

We spent the rest of the way up to the meeting room in silence. There isn’t really anything else to say. Besides, I need to concentrate on calming myself enough not to rip Nash’s father’s head off as soon as I walk in there.

Lucas leads us to a large room in the upper part of the castle. In the center of the space sits a giant oval table that looks like it’s a part of the castle. Around the table are all the founding members, including my father, who gives me a slight reassuring nod.

Everyone is dressed well in suits, and each person’s face is an impenetrable mask, minus Brookshire, who is staring daggers through Aspen, and his beady eyes narrow further once Lucas opens his mouth.

“Take a seat,” Lucas orders, and we sit down at the end of the table. Lucas takes the chair beside us. “As requested, you may ask any questions now.”

“So it’s true. You did marry? Is that why you killed my son? Did you think you’d simply get away with it because you are a Rossi?”

“I killed him because he attacked me.”

“Sure, he did, and do you have any proof of that?”

“Her word is enough proof,” I interject. “Nash has been trying to get to her for months, and he knew she was under my protection. There was no reason for him to be in her apartment.”

“Maybe she invited him? Who knows, with how many guys she slept with behind your back.” I curl my hand into a fist, ready to slam his face into the edge of the table.

“I didn’t invite Nash. As a matter of fact, I asked him to leave. I told him to stay away from me multiple times. He wouldn’t. Then he admitted to drugging me. He gave me a drug that led me to have a miscarriage.”

Brookshire shakes his head. “You are lying. Many words and no proof.”

“She is telling the truth. I examined Aspen myself,” Dr. Lauren announces.

“I also had my personal doctor examine her right after the attack, and he agreed. Furthermore, we have a video taken with Nash’s phone that proves he was there when Aspen was attacked. All of that leads me to believe it was your son who killed my grandchild.”

For the first time since we entered this room, Nathaniel looks a little pale. “Those are all speculation, and even if there was some truth to that, Corium rules are clear. No death to any student can take place on school grounds.”

“Of course, you are right. But these are very special circumstances, and of course, we would offer your family something as a gesture of goodwill.”