Wicked Matrimony (Legends and Lovers)

“She has no choice,” I remind Simon as he challenges me.

“We could send her back to Portland and I could watch over her.” He’s like an oversized child, believing physical harm won’t come to them if anyone finds out about Allison’s power.

“I’ve already told you.”

“I could protect her just as well as you could.”

I step closer until I’m right in his face, mere inches from his nose. “You want to know the real reason I’d never let you watch over her?” Hot flames of fury burn in my cold, dead heart. “Because I know late at night, with her tempting body lying next to yours, you wouldn’t be able to help yourself. You’d touch her, kiss her, sample her sweet skin. You wouldn’t be strong enough to turn away. You’d fuck everything up just to get one touch of her.”

“No, it wouldn’t be like that. Promise.” Simon’s voice raises on the last word, and I turn away from him.

“Do you take me for a fool?” I ask, anger etching my every word. “Do you think I don’t notice how beautiful she is?”

A part of me wants to do the very thing I’m accusing him of doing if he were the one to marry her.

“How do you know you won’t touch her?” Simon asks as I turn to look at him.

“Because I can control my hunger. I can control myself.” I’m not sure if I’m lying or telling the truth, but every part of me wants to believe I will resist the temptation and not let my primal urges overtake me.

“You’re wrong,” he says. “I’d protect her, keep her safe.”

“Well, now you don’t have to. I will.”

Viggo steps up, listening to our conversation. “You need to trust Draven, Simon. He knows what he’s doing.”

Simon glares at Viggo. “I care for her.”

I place my hand on Simon’s shoulder, bringing his attention back to me. “I know you do. And you need to trust me. I can’t let anyone get to her.”

“Speaking of Bogdan. His movements have been tracked by my team, and he’s in Romania,” Viggo says.

“Where?”

He shakes his head, his brown hair falling into his eyes. “Not sure. I have men working on it.”

I keep tabs on Bogdan and Rao all the time. I have scouts who watch over them, making sure they’re not planning anything against me.

“I plan on helping the team after you and Allison are married,” Simon says.

“No way,” Viggo blurts out.

I hold up a hand to stop him from speaking further. “Hold on a minute. This might be a good thing.” My eyes soften as I stare at my nephew. “I trust Simon, so having him watching over Bogdan might work out in our favor.”

“I want to help in some way.” Simon squares his shoulders, puffing his chest.

I nod. “Yes, you can lead the team, and report back any findings. I have a feeling once we’re married Rao and Bogdan will come around a lot more. Viggo,”—I turn to face him—“I’ll need you to get with your contact, put your ear to the ground and see if anyone talks about our marriage. We have to make sure it’s believable. I’ll be hosting my annual ball soon, inviting other clan members. I’ll be sure to show off my new wife.”

“Make sure she’s playing the part of the doting wife. Because you’re not really the type of man to take one,” Viggo says.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Viggo raises a brow. “Come on, Draven. You’ve been around for centuries and never once have you hinted you’d be open to the idea of marriage. We don’t need them asking questions, wondering why now you’re marrying someone you just met. A mortal, no less.”

I rub my chin. I know he’s right. Hell, I never have wanted to get married. Bogdan knows this, and I’m sure he’ll suspect something when he sees that I’ve married a random mortal.

“He’s going to see right through this plan, isn’t he?”

Simon steps forward. “No, he won’t. Draven, you can’t let your past predict your future. They don’t know you. You’ve never wanted to get married before because you’ve never found the one person who makes your soul complete.”