Wreck Me (Corrupt Legacy Series #2)

Our parents come in next. After we greet them, we retire to a corner when Celine, Mia, and Hunter enter.

When all guests have arrived, the ballroom brims with people. The men wear elegant tuxedos, and the women are clad in glamorous dresses and dripping with jewelry. All the clinking glasses, vapid conversations, and fake laughter grate on my nerves. The plastered smiles and small talk continue, taking from the wonderful, soothing music.

My attention shifts to Mia, who smiles sweetly at Felix.

I hope it’s fake. He doesn’t deserve that, but I see her quickly extracting something from his pocket. I blink to make sure I didn’t imagine that when I exchange a glance with Kaden.

“Did you see that?” I ask.

“They’re planning something.”

Fucking perfect.

“If Felix notices something is missing, we’re all screwed.”

He nods, and taps his champagne glass, gathering all attention.

Here it comes. I drag in a lungful of air to fortify myself.

Kaden opens his mouth and lifts my hand with the ring.

“My lovely girlfriend and best friend decided to make me the happiest man by agreeing to marry me.”

I pretend to be all enamored and happy about his proposal while screaming on the inside. Celine must possess a strength I never could. If the roles were reversed, I would not only scream murder but entertain it.

“Congratulations.” Blake raises his glass, eyeing and pinning us with a look to keep our poker faces on.

I tighten my hand around the glass, and we clink them to a toast.

“We’ll find a way,” Bailey whispers.

I watch Celine rushing out of the ballroom, followed by Mia and Hunter, while Kaden’s jaw might crack at any moment if the congratulations don’t end soon.

Only Mia returns, and Kaden notices that too.

“I have to see what they’re up to,” he says.

“Go, I have this.”

Mia takes another flute, talking to someone behind the glass.

These three idiots are going to get us all killed. She places it down on a passing tray after not even sipping from the glass and walks over to Felix again. I watch her stealthily steal his phone.

I act before I can think, and with my most fake smile, I approach Felix. I would like nothing more than to slit his throat.

“My lovely future daughter-in-law looking as spectacular as ever.”

I throw up a bit in my mouth at this snake, pretending so damn well.

“Thank you. That’s kind of you.”

He looks at my wrist and says, “I should have had my emotions in check. Before the big day, I want you to have surgery to get it removed.”

I would never do that, but I force my head to dip in agreement. Both the D and the flames will remain on my skin for the rest of my life.

I see Bailey on her phone, her hands flying over the screen. I try to catch Blake’s attention to see if he knows what is happening, but his father presents him to everyone like he’s the main event of tonight.

“I hope now with my family’s ring on your finger you won’t think of doing something inappropriate again.”