The Pact

by Suzanne Wright

“I’m very aware of Felicity’s animosity toward you. But, quite frankly, I don’t see that it’s relevant. This has not one thing to do with her. Or with Grayden, for that matter.” Dax’s eyelids lowered a little. “You were mine long before you were his.”

“This specific event”—Dax rested his mug on the armrest once more—“will be a wedding.”

however, will depend on a few things.” I inhaled deeply, determined to ignore the twinge in my chest. “Such as?” “Mainly … on whether or not you’re a woman of your word.” I blinked. “I’m sorry?” “We once made a pact, didn’t we? We swore that if we were both single when you turned thirty, we’d marry each other. Your thirtieth birthday is in a week’s time. You’re unattached. So am I.”

“What exactly do you want out of this marital arrangement? Just to be clear.” His gaze snared mine, a warning and a promise there. “It may be an arrangement, Addison, but we’re not going to have separate bedrooms or any of that shit. You’ll sleep next to me, where you’ll belong.”

“Can’t he speak for himself?” It was a taunt. “No, I’ve broken his mind and he now only talks if I allow it.” Dane sighed. “Are you capable of being serious for five minutes?” “Yes, it just holds no interest for me at the moment.”

You made your choice. It’s too late for you to go back on it now. I wouldn’t let you if you tried. You’re mine. I made you mine. You wear proof of it on your finger.” He paused, his eyes blazing. “And you always fucking will.”

“And you’re wasting time out of yours by sniffing around a guy who’ll never want you.” When was that going to get through her head? “You came to the wrong person tonight. It’s Dax you should be talking to, because I’m sure the question on your mind is … If he was intent on marrying someone he didn’t care for, why didn’t he just marry you?” Her face reddened. “Fuck you!” she shouted. “Fuck! You!”

A shaky breath left me as I drank it in. It was a compass. A gold compass practically identical to the one from the soppy movie we’d watched together. Which meant … which meant … which meant the fucker loved me.

Mimi let out a mewl. Maybe she’d seen the movie, or maybe she was just coming to realize she’d been fighting a losing battle all this time—I wasn’t sure. He met her gaze evenly. “My intent isn’t to hurt you. I just want you to face reality so you can move on. There never would have been a ‘me and you,’ even if there was no Addison. But there is an Addison, and she’s mine in a way that no one else has ever been.”

Hear what I’m saying: Addison is it for me. I love her. There won’t come a day where I don’t.”

“You love me,” I whispered. “I love you,” he confirmed. Trapping my gaze with his, he caught my face between his hands. “And you love me.” “Yeah, I do. But you weren’t supposed to know that.” His lips kicked up a little more. “You gave yourself away.” I felt my brow dent. “When?” “When I came to you after Thaddeus crashed into your car. I saw it in your eyes. And I realized I felt the same.” “You didn’t say anything.”

“The only thing about this situation that pisses me off is that I stupidly let you go once. I shouldn’t have.”

Staring down at the dead animal, I swallowed hard. “Think of it as a Christmas gift.” Dax blinked at me. “A Christmas gift?” “Gypsy’s just getting in the holiday spirit.” “Since when are dead squirrels considered presents?” “The laws of the wild are different than ours. You know this.” His lips flattened. “What I know is that her kills are getting bigger. She’s escalating.”