Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 434

"I have known Sparrow for a long time," he said, his voice gruff. "Longer than I like to admit. And in all that time, I have never seen him look at anyone the way he looked at his bride today." He paused, and a grin split his scarred face. "May your marriage be long, and may your enemies be few."

The crowd laughed, and Sparrow's grandmother actually smiled, and Tasha blushed, and I found myself liking the man.

There was a toast, and a cake cutting, and a slow song that pulled half the couples in the room onto the dance floor, and I sat at our table and watched, and for a while I let myself pretend it was real. That Tasha had found a man who loved her, that she would have babies with his eyes, that she would grow old in a house full of laughter.

Jasmine slid into the seat beside me, her shoes in her hand. "Madam Lily says our ride is arranged for this evening. We are leaving, Scarlett."

I nodded. "Good. That is good. You deserve it."

"Come with us."

"I cannot."

"Because of the contract?"

"Because of Tasha. She is not leaving until the year is up, and I am not leaving without her."

Jasmine was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "Then we will be back when it is up. A year from now, we will be waiting with a car, and we will take you both somewhere no one will ever find you."

I looked at her, at this girl who had been through hell and come out the other side with her humor intact, and I felt something loosen in my chest. "Deal."

Maya appeared with a plate of cake and a solemn expression. "I heard there is a car with a bow on it. I am going to ask if I can sleep in it tonight."

"I survived worse."

She nodded slowly. "One year, Scarlett. Do not do anything stupid before then."

"I make no promises."

"That is exactly what I was afraid of."

She hugged me, hard and quick, and then she turned away, and I stood at the window with the locket warm against my chest and Lynette's face against my skin, and I watched the last of the guests drift toward their cars.

One year, I thought. And then we are gone.