Pepper Winters - Twisted Together

Tess leaned back in her chair, fastening her seatbelt. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re both on our own in this world. Just him and me.” She flashed me a look full of shy promise and blatant loyalty.

Fuck me, I loved her. Overpowering awe grew day by day inside me. I’d sold my soul to her.

Her .

This woman who I would never take for granted.

I grabbed her hand, linking my fingers through hers. I didn’t say a word. I didn’t need to. Our souls did enough talking.

“Take us to the island, Franco. I need to take Tess somewhere completely private.”

Her fingers twitched in mine. “Wait…what island?” Amazement widened her eyes. “Oh, my God, you own an island? We’re getting married on an island that you own ?”

Franco laughed. “Guess what it’s called. Go on. You’ll never guess.”

Tess shook her head. “You own an island that you named ?” Her fingers went loose as she looked at me like I was a stranger. “This is too much. Q—how…” Her question faded under the weight of wonderment.

I hated that. Hated the look of awe and confusion. Just like she looked at me when I showed her Moineau Holdings for the first time. She made me so fucking self-conscious of my wealth.

Yes, I own an island.

Yes, I’m fucking rich.

Yes, I’m happy I’m loaded because without it, I would never have found you.

Be fucking grateful rather than afraid.

My heart raced and I opened my mouth to yell, but Franco jumped in before I could upset her. “It’s called Volière .”

My heart thudded at the word. At the time, it was perfect for the slice of paradise. Now, I wished I’d named it esclave. After her.

Tess whispered, “You named it Aviary?”

Everything inside me was hot, boiling, exploding. Did she have a problem with everything related to wealth, or was it shock making her look at me so intensely?

I scowled. “Yes, I own an island. Yes, I called it Volière . No, I don’t feel guilty for owning it, and no, no-one else has been.”

Franco chuckled. “Shit, boss. She was only asking.” Grinning at Tess, he whispered, “You’ll love it. Looks exactly like the owner.” Spinning around, he slid the partition back into place, and the car rolled into motion.

What the fuck was that supposed to mean? Just like me? The entire island was overgrown and wild.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, Q,” Tess said, her eyes dancing worriedly over my face.

Shit, I couldn’t do anything right. Not while I had so much bubbling inside. How could she know my anger was at her but not at her? It didn’t even make sense. My frustration was at her nightmares not because she had them but because she didn’t share them. My brain hurt.

“I know, esclave . I didn’t mean to snap.” Giving her a soft smile, I added, “I’ve owned it for a while. It was one of the first things I bought when I took over the family empire.”

“Tell me?” Her hand shot to hold onto the door handle as Franco took a corner too fast. Her slim body slid on the shiny leather reminding me yet again she was so fucking tiny. She still had a few kilos to gain before getting back the stunning sexy curves she’d had before.

I frowned, letting my mind rewind to ten years ago. “I bought it off a floundering investor.” I shrugged as if it was the most natural thing in the world to own a tiny haven. “He accepted a lowball offer, then I had to fork out three hundred thousand euros to have a water purifier installed.”

I glanced at her, making sure she remained in the car and hadn’t flown away from sheer fear. Fear of what? Money? I’d never met anyone so averse to wealth. Or not averse. Just overwhelmed.

A small burst of happiness soothed my annoyance. At least you know she’d marry you if you were dirt poor. She wasn’t marrying me for my bank account or what I could give her.

She’s marrying me because she loves me.

The knowledge sucker-punched me every fucking time.

“It’s untamed. Uninhabited. Completely impracticable, but none of my associates knows I own it and no one will find us there.” I’d protected Tess from a lot of things—things like the consequences of killing Red Wolverine and slaughtering his operation.

That sort of stuff had large ripple effects. Payback was coming. I was sure of it.

I didn’t need to tell her why I had the sudden urge to hide her. If I didn’t keep tabs on the need to shut the world out, I could easily become a recluse with sentries on my front door and drones flying overhead, ready to sniper anyone who came within fifty metres.

Might not be a bad idea.

Wolverine and his operation might be dead, but there were others. Way too many sick and twisted fucks in the world.

“And we’re getting married there?” Tess asked. “How will that work if no one knows it exists?”

“Franco will source a justice of the peace or a celebrant—whoever you want to marry us—and he can be our witness.”

Tess bit her lip, thoughts parading in her eyes.

I almost groaned or wrung her neck—either to get her to finally speak to me. “What are you thinking, esclave ? You don’t like this elopement idea?”

She smiled hurriedly, giving me reassurance I so stupidly needed. “No, I love it. I love the thought of our own private paradise. Just us. But…”

I swiped a hand over my face. “But…” Goddammit, get to it so I can annihilate your concerns.

“Well, not that I mind of course, but I don’t have anything to wear.”

“You don’t need a white dress. That’s just a gimmick.”

She laughed. “I suppose so. I’m not a girly girl, so I don’t mind not having the princess dress or the flowers or the food but...”

I sighed heavily. “Another but.”

Her face flushed. “I want it to just be us, but… and I don’t want my family there as they aren’t part of my life anymore—” flashing me a shy smile, she rushed “—you’re my new family. My chosen family.”

Goddammit, she knew just how to cut me in half. Now I’d give her anything. What a clever woman. What a conniving, intelligent fucking woman. Did she know I would bow to her every command now—hearing her call me family. Shit, I’d hire out Disneyland if she wanted a princess wedding. I’d invite woodland animals and fairy godmothers if that’s what she wanted.

You’re my family.

I forced my heart to stop hammering and glowered. “You stopped what you were going to say. Spill.”

She sucked in a breath. “I would’ve liked Suzette to be there.” Her eyes flickered away almost guiltily. “And…it doesn’t matter.”

“What doesn’t matter?”

Taking another deep breath, she set her jaw. “Brax was the one who gave me any sense of self-worth. I never loved him more than a friend—not the way I love you, but he is a friend and the only one from my past who I would’ve liked to share you with.” Ducking her head, she breathed, “I’m so proud of you. So amazed and stupefied and happy. I want to show you off. I want one moment where I’m on your arm. To show off how stupendously lucky I am to be worthy of loving you.”

Fuck. Me.

My brain split her words into two categories—she loved me and wanted to show me off which made my heart chug harder with joy. But all I could focus on was one word: Brax.

The ex. The boy who spent years with her before me.

I couldn’t look at her. My voice dropped to a deadly whisper, “No fucking chance in ever-living hell is that boy going to be at my goddamn wedding.”

Tess froze.

My heart took on a life of its own, thundering like a bloody mess. I rubbed my temple, easing away the sudden headache. “You think I’d let your ex spend time with you? You want to show me off—throw me into his face and say what, Tess? That I’m the one in your bed now? That you didn’t fuck him before I claimed you?” My voice was barely a whisper but icicles could’ve formed on the car windows it was so cold. “You want me to say the most important words of my life in front of a twerp who let you get kidnapped in Mexico?”