Bitter Vows: A Twisted Arranged Marriage Romance (Crimson Falls Duet Book 1)

by Dani René

  A gasp escapes me when Lycan cuts my panties from my body. The material falls to the floor, and I’m open to him now. My wetness is evident as he grips my ass cheeks, opening my body to his gaze.

  “So pretty when you’re wet and needy.” His voice is dark and gruff with desire. Suddenly, his hand comes down on my pussy, causing a cry of pain to stumble free from my lips. His fingers taunt and tease as he opens me before slapping me once more.

  My legs shake, my body trembles, and my mumbling pleas for him to allow me to come are a symphony alongside the sad song playing in the background. Lycan continues with his alternating torture of slapping and fingering, my arousal soaking down my thighs.

  “I think my little red needs my cock,” Lycan says from somewhere behind me, but I’m too far gone to even respond to him. With two more swats on my ass, he drives into me with one long thrust, causing me to scream as pleasure wracks through my body, and I fall over the edge into darkness.

  “Bad girl,” he coos, but he likes it, it’s a good thing because I’m not punished for being bad. Instead, he fucks me hard. His hips slamming me into the bed, his body looming over me as he hisses in my ear, “This time, I’ll be nice,” and I can hear the amusement in his tone when he says the word nice. “But next time you come without my permission, I’ll make you cry.”

  With that, he grips my throat, pulling me back, so our bodies are flush. His mouth on my cheek, his warm breath sending more heat skittering through my veins.

  His thick cock opens me, driving in so deep I’m left breathless with every thrust. Sweat drips from my skin as he takes me brutally. But I can’t stop the pleasure from taking me higher and higher until I’m screaming something incoherent because all I feel is him.

  I’m nothing more than a ragdoll for him to use, and I’m not at all angry about it.

  Lycan’s free hand swats at the front of my pussy while his cock thickens inside me, and another orgasm breaks free from deep in my gut as he growls his release inside me. He stills behind me, still holding onto my throat while his other hand now gently massages my clit.

  “My good girl,” he coos finally before allowing me back to the mattress. He uncuffs me before unlocking the spreader bar. Once he drops the items to the floor, he pulls me into his arms, and we settle on the bed, Lycan’s arms around me, holding me tightly against him, and I’ve never been happier.

  My lashes flutter closed, and I realize I’m falling deeper with every moment I spend with him. He’s opened my eyes to something more, and I don’t think I could ever return to the girl I was before.

  And that thought scares me as I fall into a dreamless sleep.

  31

  Lycan

  The sun hasn’t even risen yet, and I’m planning something I’m not sure Scarlett will approve of, but my gut has been churning with worry for days, and this is the only way I know my plan will work.

  When I spoke with Kahn, he told me I should go ahead with this, so we’re about to do it. A knock at my office door has me glancing up to find the devil himself walking in. Kahn looks happy with himself as he settles in a chair opposite my desk.

  “Priest is ready,” he tells me.

  “And Simon?”

  He nods. “He’s willing to be a second witness. We have everything. We just need a bride,” he informs me.

  “I need to talk to her. She’s still asleep,” I inform him. “Give me some time. Tell him to be here at eight. I’ll make sure Scarlett is ready.”

  “Are you sure this is the way to go about it?”

  I know his concerns about the very public wedding on Saturday, but if Darius is going to attack, it’s going to be there. I need her to have my name, my protection by then. “If something happens, get her to the convent. Stay with her. Don’t let that fucker near her.”

  Even though I’m ready for my brother, I have to have a plan in place if all goes to shit. Knowing my life, it’s most definitely going to go to shit the moment I’m standing at the end of the aisle as I wait for her to reach me.

  Pushing to my feet, I head to the door with Kahn following. “I trust you,” I tell him. “I know you’ll make sure she’s safe until I can get to her.”

  “She will be safe. I’ll put my life on the line for her. The same goes for you.” I know he’s telling the truth because that’s what this man has always done for me.

  He leaves me as I walk down the hall to the bedroom where I left her earlier. Upon entering, I find my sweet bride sitting amongst the black silk sheets with her skin bare and beautiful.

  “Good morning,” I greet as I make my way toward her.

  “Hi,” she says. “Where were you?”

  I lean in to press a kiss to her forehead. “I needed to do some business. I have something I need to talk to you about.” When I settle on the mattress, I can read the fear in her expression.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Sighing, I take her hand with the ring on her third finger in mine and meet her questioning stare. Better to rip the Band-Aid off quickly. “I want us to get married today.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Our wedding on Saturday will go ahead, but I want you to have my name and protection before that day comes.” I keep my gaze on hers. “I just want you to be safe if anything were to happen.”

  She watches me for a long while before saying, “You’re worried about your brother.” I nod, and she continues. “Do you think he’ll do something at the wedding? I mean, there’ll be guests, and your team will be there.”

  “I don’t put anything past my brother.” It’s true. I don’t trust him. And I most certainly wouldn’t trust him not to hurt Scarlett, and I find fear choking me at the thought of something happening to her.

  I look into those pretty eyes and find affection. Love. My lungs struggle to pull in air when I realize those emotions are reciprocated. All the fights, debates, and arguments have brought us both here.

  It was about revenge.

  It was about her father.

  But right now, it’s no longer about those things.

  “This is us,” I tell her. “Bitter vows aside,” I tease with a grin. “I want you, little red. I crave and hunger for you constantly. You’re mine, and you always will be. I just… I need you to know that before we walk down the aisle. And the only way I can do that is to say my vows today.”

  A small smile graces her pretty face. “Okay. Then we’ll get married today.”

  Seeing Scarlett walk out of the bedroom in a bright red dress that hugs every curve of her frame has me coughing into my hand to keep the growl from escaping my lips. She looks like pure seduction, a beautiful vixen walking to her death as she takes my hand.

  “Are you ready?” I ask before pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She notices the men standing to the side waiting for us. Kahn, Simon, and the priest I had Kahn find last minute. I woke up this morning with the thought of marrying her today, and I needed to make it happen.

  “Shall I start?” the priest asks, who I recall is named Arthur.

  “Yes.” I nod, taking both Scarlett’s hands in mine.

  With a nod, he begins. “We have gathered here today to lawfully bind Scarlett Bardot and Lycan Shaw in holy matrimony. Since they will be saying their own vows, I’ll ask Scarlett to speak first.”

  My girl inhales a deep breath before smiling up at me. Her light shines through her expression, her eyes are shimmering with emotion, and I ache to steal every moment of this day and commit it to memory. I’m not sure what’s going to happen tomorrow, but for today, I’m basking in happiness I never thought I would feel.

  “For weeks, I was convinced when I finally said my vows they’d be filled with bitterness and rage,” Scarlett says with a soft smile. “But I no longer find those emotions in my words.” She holds my hands as if I were a lifeline. “This isn’t how we were going to do this, but I, Scarlett Bardot, take you Lycan Shaw in happiness and sadness. I’ll walk through heaven and hel
l beside you, as long as you’re the one ruling over the kingdoms. Our path ahead may not be paved with ease, but I cannot wait to see what lies before us.”

  My chest tightens considerably, and I realize for the first time in my life, I’m falling. I’ve fallen. I’ve never expected to find happiness with someone, not with a woman who is filled with so much innocence and light.

  But here she is.

  “The darkness inside me has eased because of you,” I tell her. “We may not be standing before hundreds of people, and you aren’t wearing a pretty white dress, but even as we do this in my club, I know our future will be filled with happiness. I vow, bitter or not, to keep you, hold you, cherish you, and ensure you’re forever smiling.”

  A tear escapes her lashes, trickling down her cheek, but I don’t steal it because I love to see how those pretty eyes glisten with emotion just for me.

  “I’m not the prince, I’m the wolf, but I’ll forever keep you safe from the hunter who aims to steal you from me.” I lean in, my lips brushing along her. “From today and forever more.”

  “I love you,” Scarlett says suddenly, causing my heart to still in my chest for a second before thumping wildly against my ribs. “I didn’t think it was possible.” She smiles, shaking her head slowly. “But somehow, you’ve battered down my walls.”

  Cupping her face, I run my thumbs along the apples of her cheeks, and I can’t stop the grin that cracks along my face. “I love you too, little red,” I admit honestly. “I really do. Fuck the arrangement with your father. This” — I pull her closer — “this is real.”

  Scarlett giggles playfully, and she kisses me as the priest sighs that we’ve completely fucked his ceremony. “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” he says as I pull my wife into my arms. Even though our wedding will still go ahead for the guests, today is for us.

  32

  Scarlett

  My grandmother looks over at us, watching from afar, but peering in so closely she may as well be standing beside us. I’ve enjoyed my time in New York while learning more about Lycan’s world, the dark and twisted cravings of a man whose beast lies in wait for when I kneel for him.

  I didn’t think I would.

  But the wolf who appears when Lycan hungers for me is nothing like I’ve ever experienced. He’s like a bomb waiting to explode, and I want nothing more than to be right beside the destruction he leaves in his wake.

  Time has passed, making me more aware of how easily I’ve fallen into a life with him. Fallen in love with a man who bought me. It sounds like the makings of a romance novel. But it’s my real life. And I couldn’t be happier.

  The buildings we’ve visited in the hopes of me finding one for my company have given me pause. When I was first taken to the Shaw mansion in Crimson Falls, I was convinced I would be free of him within the week. But now, I find myself more enthralled with him.

  The wedding is fast approaching, and with more plans being confirmed—venue, food, guests—I’m no longer nervous. I don’t necessarily want to walk down the aisle so soon, but I no longer hate the man who’s currently speaking to Kahn while pacing the living room carpet.

  We head back to Crimson Falls tomorrow to finalize the last details for the big day, but something has been bothering Lycan for a couple of days. And I have a feeling it’s because of whatever Kahn is currently telling him.

  And I’m sure it has something to do with his brother.

  I approach my grandmother, wanting to talk to her without Lycan listening. By the time I reach her, she’s finished her wine and asking for another. I’m not sure why she came when she doesn’t seem happy about the engagement.

  Even though this party was meant to celebrate our union, Lycan and I are aware of her animosity toward the upcoming nuptials.

  “I thought you’d be happy,” I say when I step beside my grandmother. I can’t tell her I’m already married to him, so I play along as if nothing has changed since she last saw us.

  She doesn’t answer for a beat, but then says, “Nothing about a Shaw and Bardot together should bring about happiness.”

  “Is that because your heart was broken by a Shaw?” I challenge, because she knows that I know about her and Conall. Perhaps I shouldn’t goad her, but I need to know about the curse that has been whispered about.

  “The past needs to stay buried, but your man keeps dredging it up,” she whispers, nudging her chin toward where Lycan is now talking to a couple of guests, his call ended, and I wonder what the outcome was.

  “I don’t understand what the problem is about learning something that happened to our families.” I don’t look at her this time. Instead, my focus is on the way Lycan’s fake smile is plastered on as he watches us. He’s not listening to what the man beside him is saying.

  “There are some secrets that should never be brought to light. I made mistakes, I admit that, but when I walked away from my past, from Conall, I promised him to never allow our families to unite. It’s wrong.”

  This time, I spin on my heel to regard her. “What’s wrong about it?”

  Her gaze glints on mine. “Do you love him?” she asks, a challenge in her words.

  Do I?

  Yes. I do.

  Am I attracted to him?

  Do I lust after him?

  Yes, and yes.

  There’s no doubt in my mind Lycan is my other half, a match I didn’t expect. Love wasn’t something I expected to feel, but it’s there now, and I’m not letting it pass me by. I didn’t expect him to say it, to tell me those three words, but he did. At least, he didn’t seem anywhere near emotions that strong. But his heart is beating for me now, and I’ve got a grasp on it.

  “If you don’t love him, tell him. Stop this farce of a wedding,” my grandmother says softly, but the urgency of her tone is clear. She doesn’t want this wedding to go ahead.

  I grin because I know what she’s trying to do. Mom said she did this at their wedding as well. When my mother and father were to wed, Gran thought she could stop it, or control it. Instead of answering, I challenge, “And if I don’t?”

  This time she looks directly at me, her gaze lingering on my face as if she’s taking in every inch of me to memory. “Nothing good will come of it.” She swallows back her drink before making her way for the door, and I watch as my grandmother disappears without looking back.

  A cold shiver races down my spine.

  Awareness that her warning will come with dire consequences.

  The dress is stunning, just like I knew it would be. I wanted today to be perfect. Over the weeks of getting to know Lycan, seeing his pain about how his father died and how his brother didn’t believe a word of what had happened, I understand why he is so closed off.

  But he did open up to me.

  He gave me parts of himself I’m certain not many people were privy to. And it means a lot to me to have moved forward, to have overcome what I believed about him before. He’s not a monster at all. Perhaps a beast, yes, but he’s all man.

  I didn’t think I could ever find it in myself to love him like I should—as a husband. But I do. And I would like to try to find my path alongside him, to walk forward today down the aisle and know that my future is safe. To know the man I’m saying “I do” to is someone capable of love. Deep down, I know Lycan is.

  There’s no longer any doubt in my mind.

  The sleek, white dress hugs my curves, and the lace train lays behind me along the carpet. As the two maids Lycan hired to dress me fix the tiara to my head along with the veil, I glance at myself in the mirror, taking in the elegance.

  My bedroom door swoops open, and Aelin rushes in. “Oh my god,” she gushes when she sees me. “You look incredible.” Her voice bounces off the walls as she stops in front of me, her hands on my shoulders as she holds me at arm’s length.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” I tell her honestly. When I asked Lycan if she could be my maid of honor, he agreed. When his humanity shines through the cold exterior, I can’t help
but smile because as much as he tries to hide it, I know he cares deeply for me.

  “I cannot believe you’re getting married.”

  Once the women are done with my hair, they leave us, and I settle onto the stool provided, so I don’t crease my dress. Even though I’m not yet in my heels, I need to sit because my knees are shaking. I don’t want to admit how nervous I am, so I paste on a smile and look at my one and only friend.

  “Trust me, if you had asked me a month ago if I would be here, getting ready to walk down the aisle, I would’ve told you you’re crazy,” I admit easily.

  “This man must be all that because the Scarlett I know would never allow a man to dictate anything about her life,” she says. “Or is it because he has a big dick?” Her teasing has me laughing, and for a moment, I enjoy the lighthearted banter between us. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her, going from talking to someone every day to not seeing them for weeks is strange.

  “I am not talking about his dick,” I throw back, knowing my best friend will be asking more about Lycan, as well as any dirty details about our sex life. Aelin was more provocative than I was, even when we came of age, she would go out to parties, meet boys when I would be the wallflower. I couldn’t find the courage to tell her about my tastes. Not the ones I hid in the dark for so long.

  Those same fantasies Lycan brought to life.

  I should’ve spoken to her more. Over the past few weeks of me being here, I should have reached out. Even though Lycan didn’t forbid me from calling, I didn’t. Perhaps it was because I couldn’t really explain my situation. My father put me here, he forced my hand without my permission, and as much as I wanted to hate him, I’m thankful he showed me his true colors.

  “Are you okay?” Aelin asks then, her hands holding mine, pulling them close as she regards me with earnest curiosity.