Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“No,” I say, pushing back to my feet. This time, I steady myself, making sure he doesn’t have to reach out for me.
“Time’s wasting,” he says, tapping his watch. “Better hurry. Meet me out front in ten.” He stands and walks off, striding with purpose, leaving me alone in the bar.
I watch him go, reeling.
We’re doing this. We’re really doing it.
“You lucky bitch.”
I jump, surprised. Macy’s standing behind the bar, her eyes wide in total shock.
“Uh,” I say, “we just, uh—”
“You are so fucking lucky.” She groans, leaning back against the wall. “I’d murder you to get a shot at kissing that man. How’d you do it? Seriously, was it drugs? Did you slip him something? I bet it’s drugs.”
“Um, no, it wasn’t drugs,” I say, getting the hell out of there before Creepy Macy can freak me out even more.
I make one call to Roxie and tell her to be ready for my wedding. I hear her screeching on the other end, but can’t make out any words. I assume she’s coming and hang up.
Then I head out front to meet with my future husband.
Chapter 10
Casey
We meet at the Atlantic City Municipal Courthouse.
“Not the most elegant place for a wedding,” I murmur as we step out of Adler’s SUV. Will Hyde is with us, and the driver is a quiet member of the security team.
“Do you want a big party?” he asks, striding up the courthouse stairs.
The building a square, beige-colored structure. It looks like an old brick lying on its side with blocky windows scattered in the side.
“No, not really,” I say, struggling to keep up. He notices my pace and slows without having to be asked. I appreciate that about him, though I can tell he’s itching to get inside. “I guess I just always pictured, you know, an actual chapel.”
“The judge will make it official.”
“I’m guessing this guy’s on your payroll?”
He glances at me, frowning. “Yes. He is.”
“And how many other judges do you have in your pocket?”
“You’re not entitled to that information.”
“Ah, come on, I’m your future wife.” I bat my eyelashes at him. “Don’t you wanna tell your spouse about all the crooked cops and judges you own?”
“No,” he says, and before I can keep teasing him, I spot Roxie standing over near the front entrance.
She’s wearing a dress. The kind of dress you’d wear to an actual wedding: strapless, black, clinging to her body. She’s teetering in heels and clutching a bag at her side, her hair done, her make-up on point.
“Well, crap, nobody told me we were keeping it casual,” she says, rushing over to give me a hug. “Is this for real?” she whispers in my ear.
“You look great,” I say, squeezing her back. “And yes, it’s real, unfortunately,” I whisper in return.
We pull apart and Roxie straightens. She extends her hand to Adler. “Mr. Costa, nice to see you, sir.”
Adler grumbles and shakes. “Just call me Adler, please.”
“Sure, whatever you say, sir.” Adler rolls his eyes as Roxie turns to Will.
“Are you going to call me sir too, Rox?” Will’s smirk is painfully sharp, and Roxie’s back straightens.
“It’s nice to see you, Mr. Hyde.”
“Always a pleasure. You are my favorite waitress, after all.”
Roxie doesn’t move like she’s pinned to the spot. It’s an odd moment—I didn’t know they were aware of each other. Will is Roxie’s manager’s manager, sitting atop the big pyramid of the Sunrise’s bureaucracy, and most of the lowly floor workers don’t know him at all. I’d never met him until that meeting in the security room.
But Roxie’s staring at him like she’s intimately familiar with Will Hyde, pit boss of the Sunrise, and she is not happy to see him again.
Adler breaks up the strange moment and gets moving away. I take Roxie’s arm and lean on her for support as Will falls in behind Adler and we bring up the rear.
“What was that?” I ask, looking from her to Will and back again.
“Nothing,” she says. “He’s just my boss. That’s all.” She’s clearly lying, but before I can push, she changes the subject. “So are you excited to get married in what looks like a chain big box store?”
“It’s a courthouse,” I say, a little defensively. “Besides, it’s not a real wedding.”
“How’s that?” Roxie asks, but I’m interrupted by the security guards. We go through metal detectors, which beep twice because of Roxie’s jewelry, but eventually we’re in.
“This is just a contract,” I say softly, keeping my voice low so Adler and Will can’t overhear. We walk down a heavily carpeted corridor with offices lining the sides.
“Right, to save your brother. But you negotiated for more, right?”
“Well, I’m not an idiot.”
“That’s my girl. What’d you get?”
“A lot. Oh, you’re getting a raise.”
She lets out a laugh. “Seriously?” Will shoots her a predatory grin. Her laughter dies on her lips. “Did you really get me a raise?”