“There’s a few we do - not just one like you may be used to.” I pinched my forefinger and thumb on the bridge of my nose as I realized how daunting this might be for her. That was why my father had married someone within our culture - because it was just easier.
But the thought of taking anyone other than Corinne had my fists clenching in rage.
“Nina will walk you through them.” Although my words should have been reassuring, I remembered that Corinne had distinctly disliked Nina at the family dinner. Fuck.
“That’s fine.” She nodded, and I had no doubt that if Nina and Corinne truly had it out, that my little Vedman would win. “There’s some things that Brenna’s going to help me add to the ceremony as well, so I’ll just bring her with me.”
I racked my brain for any mention of Brenna and came up short. Who the fuck was she? Someone from Corinne’s Club no doubt, so I had no right to feel the surge of jealousy that seemed to pump through my veins.
“Fine.” I allowed my gaze to fall back onto the accounts before me, because if I looked at Corinne for a minute longer, I would drag her into my office and fuck her again, and that wasn’t conducive to either of our schedules.
I felt her presence retreat without looking up, knowing full well that I couldn’t afford to lose myself in her right now - I had already lost four days. I knew that that meant the vermin would be emerging soon, showing their teeth in ways that I could only imagine. I needed to drown them in poison before their freedom inflated them with ideas that would end in more than just their deaths.
And while I made the decision to let her go - to organise - to dress, it didn’t stop the memory of her naked flesh pressed against mine to scorch my brain. The little noises that she makes that I want to fucking devour and claim. Has Ravi heard me fuck her? I hope so, just in case he had any doubt that she didn’t belong to me.
I lost myself to paperwork, spiralling down into the numbers of the business - the delicate balance of legitimate and illegitimate affairs, until I was interrupted by the light precise knock on my door.
“There is a photography crew setting up on the back lawn.” Henla’s voice was clear and precise, but I noticed the frown on her face as if their presence was as much an annoyance to her as it was to me.
“Where’s Corinne?”
“I believe she went to pick up some beignets.”
Trepidation lurked its ugly head and I had to taper down my annoyance as I promised myself that once she returned, I’d weigh her down with even more security. I wasn’t sure she understood what it meant to be with me - she would be a walking target. Once she had my name, it would offer her some semblance of protection, but until then, I knew that the other organisations would take her out in a heartbeat - would be looking to weaken us using any measures they found. The Irish and the Poles would probably be the first to attempt something.
“The photographers?” I refused to allow even the slightest hint of my displeasure to Henla.
She didn’t need to know what went on between Corinne and I. She only needed to change our bed sheets and make herself useful when something was required of her.
“Courtesy of Emily Rand.”
Of. Fucking. Course.
This shit reeked of her - she probably wanted some glossy photograph to splash on the front of the announcement section in some fucking Society rag. I groaned as I ran my palm across my face. It should have been completely expected and it was utterly unavoidable.
“Set them up in the pool house with some refreshments until Corinne and I have readied ourselves.”
I didn’t miss the flash of surprise that was gone almost as quickly as it had appeared on Henla’s face. People needed to understand that Corinne and I were in this thing, and I wasn’t about to give her up. Which meant even though I fucking hated it, I would welcome the circus of chaos into my home if it meant that The Empress was by my side for a lifetime.
By the time Corinne stumbled in, her arms filled with a box of beignets, I watched her eyes widen in surprise as she took in the commotion on our back lawn. I would have to call Café Du Monde and have them deliver a batch of their goods to our house daily. I was annoyed that I hadn’t thought of it sooner.
“More beignets?”
She jumped at the sound of my voice, clearly unaware that I was standing a few feet away from her.
A smile quirked her lips. “I’m stress eating.”
I was on her in a heartbeat, my hands working smooth circles against her shoulders as she kicked her head back against my chest. Her moan was soft and came out on a small exhale, but my body vibrated from the very sound of her.
“I can help relax you if you like?”
She quirked her brow up at me. “Since when do you ask?”
“Since it would mean making your mother’s people wait while I fuck you before we take an engagement picture.”
“What?” She half-shrieked, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her expense. Her palms pressed against my chest as she hurled herself away, standing in line of the doorway to get a better look at the commotion on our lawn.
"Fucking Emily Rand." Corinne's annoyance seemed to skitter across her, her entire body thrumming in anger from her toes, tainting her expression into a twisted scowl.