I glanced at her, making sure she remained in the car and hadn’t flown away from sheer fear. Fear of what? Money? I’d never met anyone so averse to wealth. Or not averse. Just overwhelmed.

A small burst of happiness soothed my annoyance. At least you know she’d marry you if you were dirt poor. She wasn’t marrying me for my bank account or what I could give her.

She’s marrying me because she loves me.

The knowledge sucker-punched me every f**king time.

“It’s untamed. Uninhabited. Completely impracticable, but none of my associates knows I own it and no one will find us there.” I’d protected Tess from a lot of things—things like the consequences of killing Red Wolverine and slaughtering his operation.

That sort of stuff had large ripple effects. Payback was coming. I was sure of it.

I didn’t need to tell her why I had the sudden urge to hide her. If I didn’t keep tabs on the need to shut the world out, I could easily become a recluse with sentries on my front door and drones flying overhead, ready to sniper anyone who came within fifty metres.

Might not be a bad idea.

Wolverine and his operation might be dead, but there were others. Way too many sick and twisted f**ks in the world.

“And we’re getting married there?” Tess asked. “How will that work if no one knows it exists?”

“Franco will source a justice of the peace or a celebrant—whoever you want to marry us—and he can be our witness.”

Tess bit her lip, thoughts parading in her eyes.

I almost groaned or wrung her neck—either to get her to finally speak to me. “What are you thinking, esclave? You don’t like this elopement idea?”

She smiled hurriedly, giving me reassurance I so stupidly needed. “No, I love it. I love the thought of our own private paradise. Just us. But…”

I swiped a hand over my face. “But…” Goddammit, get to it so I can annihilate your concerns.

“Well, not that I mind of course, but I don’t have anything to wear.”

“You don’t need a white dress. That’s just a gimmick.”

She laughed. “I suppose so. I’m not a girly girl, so I don’t mind not having the princess dress or the flowers or the food but...”

I sighed heavily. “Another but.”

Her face flushed. “I want it to just be us, but… and I don’t want my family there as they aren’t part of my life anymore—” flashing me a shy smile, she rushed “—you’re my new family. My chosen family.”

Goddammit, she knew just how to cut me in half. Now I’d give her anything. What a clever woman. What a conniving, intelligent f**king woman. Did she know I would bow to her every command now—hearing her call me family. Shit, I’d hire out Disneyland if she wanted a princess wedding. I’d invite woodland animals and fairy godmothers if that’s what she wanted.

You’re my family.

I forced my heart to stop hammering and glowered. “You stopped what you were going to say. Spill.”

She sucked in a breath. “I would’ve liked Suzette to be there.” Her eyes flickered away almost guiltily. “And…it doesn’t matter.”

“What doesn’t matter?”

Taking another deep breath, she set her jaw. “Brax was the one who gave me any sense of self-worth. I never loved him more than a friend—not the way I love you, but he is a friend and the only one from my past who I would’ve liked to share you with.” Ducking her head, she breathed, “I’m so proud of you. So amazed and stupefied and happy. I want to show you off. I want one moment where I’m on your arm. To show off how stupendously lucky I am to be worthy of loving you.”

Fuck. Me.

My brain split her words into two categories—she loved me and wanted to show me off which made my heart chug harder with joy. But all I could focus on was one word: Brax.

The ex. The boy who spent years with her before me.

I couldn’t look at her. My voice dropped to a deadly whisper, “No f**king chance in ever-living hell is that boy going to be at my goddamn wedding.”

Tess froze.

My heart took on a life of its own, thundering like a bloody mess. I rubbed my temple, easing away the sudden headache. “You think I’d let your ex spend time with you? You want to show me off—throw me into his face and say what, Tess? That I’m the one in your bed now? That you didn’t f**k him before I claimed you?” My voice was barely a whisper but icicles could’ve formed on the car windows it was so cold. “You want me to say the most important words of my life in front of a twerp who let you get kidnapped in Mexico?”

He may have let her be taken in Cancun, but she was stolen from your f**king office. You have things in common.

Fucking hell, that comparison had to die. And fast. I’d turn into a monster if I started comparing myself to a boy from Tess’s past.

I needed out of this car. I needed to get away from her to calm my temper.

Tess’s soft touch landed on the back of my hand. “I get it, Q. I’m sorry. I should’ve thought it through. I wouldn’t want your ex-girlfriends there either. Can you forget I said anything?”

Breathing hard through my nose, I said, “You’re forgetting I don’t have any ex-girlfriends.” Only whores. Shit, we both had baggage. I had no right to be so high and f**king mighty. Sighing, I forced my muscles to relax. “Sorry, esclave. That was out of line.” Giving her a half-smile, I added, “Jealousy is a new demon I’m trying to understand.”

The limousine went around a corner, sending Tess sliding over the leather. Her body nudged against me. The instant her shoulder touched mine, everything that’d been pulled tight snapped back into its rightful place inside. Who was I kidding? I’d give her anything. I wanted to give her everything. She deserved everything.

But that twat still wasn’t coming.

“You have nothing to be jealous of.” Tess smiled. “I was just thinking aloud. They aren’t deal breakers.”

“Deal breakers?” My eyes narrowed. “What you’re saying is, you don’t want to get married unless those conditions are met?” I couldn’t believe this. My stomach twisted. It meant yet more time not having her as my wife. More time not having the commitment and piece of paper I needed.