Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
If you were to walk in here, you’d assume it’s a regular event. I actually wonder if the wives know what these events are really about. Soren informed me that a few of the wives know some information, but most think it’s like a social club. When he told me that, I laughed and said, “What, like a country club?”
I recognize some of the faces from my research, but a lot are new to me. All of them make sure they come up and greet Soren, and he introduces me to all of them. But I know I’m not going to remember their names.
He guides me toward the bar, and that’s where I see two members I know and their wives. One of the couples is Arlo and Cora. Reon is with his wife, Lilith, who I’ve heard is as crazy as he is, if not more so, though I guess she did send me an invite to their anniversary party, and that was odd considering I didn’t know either of them. They look like they all just walked off a Paris runway, but their expressions remain flat until we get closer.
When Cora sees me, she pulls me in for a hug. “Arlo told me you two were a thing,” she gushes. I look at Arlo, who can’t take his eyes off her. You can tell he loves her.
“Yeah, I guess we are,” I reply.
“She’s my soon-to-be wife,” Soren interjects.
“Oh, you proposed?” Lilith asks, joining the conversation.
“No, he just keeps telling me that,” I say, and he raises a brow at me.
“You will be.”
“It’s why you’re here, Cressida,” Arlo adds.
“How is Maya?” Soren asks Arlo, and several of us tense at her name.
“I heard you’ve been avoiding her,” Arlo says.
“I have. It’s best for the time being,” Soren replies, voice both steady and sorrowful.
“I think you two should work out to what capacity you want Maya in your life,” Arlo suggests.
Just then, Lilith hisses, “Why is she here?”
I turn my head to see Maya coming our way. She eyes us somewhat warily before she makes it to us and stops a few feet from Soren.
Reon and Lilith walk away, not wanting to be around her, while I stay still, glued to Soren.
“Soren. Cressida,” she greets, nodding to us both but looking at her brother.
“I can go. Let you two talk,” I offer.
“No, you are my family. You stay,” Soren insists, and I see Maya visibly flinch at the words.
“I want to start anew. I’ve been working. Doing therapy. And I’m trying to change. Do you think you can accept me back?” she asks.
“It’s not me you need to ask. It’s not me whom you hurt so badly,” Soren tells her.
Maya turns her attention to me now. “You are clearly someone special to Soren, and I accept that.” I raise a brow at her. “I do. I’ve come to realize I can’t continue to use him the way I have. I want to have a new and better relationship with him and with you, if you will let me. I won’t come around unannounced, and I promise to keep my distance from your son.”
I want to tell her to get fucked, that I would never allow someone so crazy in my son’s life. Yet, as I look up at Soren, I want him to have a relationship with his sister because family is important. I understand that more than anyone. I love both of my sisters, and I know I would be lost without them. So, part of me can empathize with the loss she’s feeling over not having someone who has always been hers.
“It will take time. A lot of time. But, yes, I will try,” I finally tell her.
She nods and then excuses herself.
We’re all quiet until she’s out of earshot, and Arlo speaks, “Well, that was good work. You have a woman with her head clearly on right,” he says.
“Yeah, now if I could just get her to marry me,” Soren says, looking down at me with a half grin.
“Tomorrow, nine a.m. Meet me at the courthouse,” I tell him.
Arlo looks on with amusement, and Cora beams at us.
“Done,” Soren says, but then his usual calm cracks just a little. His eyes darken with something raw, relief, maybe even disbelief, and before I can blink, he leans down to kiss me, slow and sure, like he’s making the moment real for himself.
Tomorrow, I will be his wife.
But tonight, I will be his Hurricane whore.
EPILOGUE
SOREN
The courthouse isn’t what most people imagine when they think of forever.
No flowers. No aisle. No white dress trailing across polished floors. Just the faint hum of fluorescent lights and the soft sound of papers being shuffled.
But when Cressida’s hand slips into mine, the world stills.
Her thumb grazes the edge of my palm, a quiet reminder that somehow, against every odd, every obstacle, we have finally found our way here.