I needed more drugs—especially if I planned on delivering my threats to Tess.

Beneath my signature, it changed from groom to husband.

Shit.

Husband.

It hit me for the second time.

I’m Tess’s husband.

This time it was a battering ram compared to the tiny realization. I was hers. Forever.

Tess’s body heat seared into mine, reaching over to steal the pen. Planting a chaste kiss on my cheek, she printed her name…then paused.

My heart stuttered as the pen hovered over the signature of ‘wife’.

“Do I sign with my old name or…” Her voice trailed off, her eyes meeting the celebrant.

The man smiled. “Your new one, of course. If you’re taking your husband’s name, sign it as Tess Mercer.

She froze.

Every instinct and bestial sense sprang to high alert. I tried to see past her outer shell, searching for the real reason why she didn’t want to sign the f**king form.

Swallowing back my temper, I said as soft as I could manage, “Tu vas bien?” You okay?

She looked into my eyes, tears making the blue shine like the sea. I almost crashed to my knees with the sheer unconditional love in her depths. “I’m no longer Tess Snow.”

My stomach twisted thinking about the girl who I’d watched transform into a woman. Ever since I woke up to her whispering in my ear at Lynx’s house, I’d known she’d turned an irrevocable corner. She left Tess Snow behind the moment she smeared her cheek with the blood of her victim. She spread her wings and soared, putting her past where it belonged and embracing everything I’d always hoped she would.

Every time I looked at her I sensed it, sensed the depth and sweet depravity of my woman. I’d never meant to change her—but she’d changed herself. She’d become more—just more in every way.

I cupped her cheek, bringing her nose to mine. Tracing her throat, I caressed the top of the brand—the only part visible above her collar. She shivered, biting her lip.

“You walked away from that name, esclave. It no longer defines you.”

“What does define me?” she whispered.

“Your invincibility. Your conviction. Me.”

“You?”

My fingers drifted over her collar, tugging on the leash. “Yes. You wear my name now. You wear my fortune.”

“I’m Tess Mercer.” Her soft voice turned to a pant, flushing my body with want. My c**k twitched in my trousers, ready to take her. Ready to finish this.

“You’re so much more than that.”

“What?”

“Tu es à moi.” You’re mine.

“Yours,” she breathed, swaying she pressed her lips against mine. The instant her soft mouth touched me, my vision shattered into colourless light. The countdown to taking her increased its incessant tick.

I wouldn’t last much longer. I couldn’t last much longer.

Her lips kissed along my cheekbone, ending on the shell of my ear. “I was going to deny you, husband. I didn’t think you were strong enough to take me. But you haven’t stopped making love to me since the moment I entered this marquee. I believe you’re strong enough. And I want you to take me away. Take me completely.”

She pulled back, permission blazing in her eyes. “I’m all yours. Every inch.” Gone was the fear about letting me inside the final part of her. Gone was the hesitation at exploring the unexplored.

My muscles locked into place, fighting a full body shudder. My c**k punched the buckle of my belt, demanding to have her now.

Tess left me standing like a fool, sealing the marriage contract with a flick of her wrist. Tess Mercer.

My Tess.

My esclave.

Frederick grabbed the pen with a wink. “You’re looking at her like you’re about to eat her. You guys better leave before you end up saying screw the guests and giving us a show.”

I let him finish signing before punching him in the shoulder. “We’re only here because we’re Suzette’s prisoners.”

Suzette giggled, taking the pen. “Fine, I know a man in pain when I see one. Go. I’ll rearrange the reception for tomorrow.”

A thick arm wedged between us, scrawling illegibly on the paper beneath all four signatures.

What the—

I looked over my shoulder. Franco.

He shrugged. “Hey, couldn’t let you get hitched without the top quality authority of your favourite bodyguard. I just made that thing legit.”

I rolled my eyes. “Trust you to ruin everything.”

Franco chuckled, giving Tess a one armed hug. He’d discarded his grey blazer, revealing the white shirt beneath. His sling matched the fabric, hiding the fact he was injured. Sort of. The bandage around his hand had been changed, and the minute I could breathe without needing to sink into Tess, I would source a world class doctor to replace his thumb.

He would also receive a huge bonus.

Pulling away from Tess, Franco said, “You look incredible. I’m very happy for you both. I’ll always have your back, Tess. You’ve earned my deepest respect.” Tess dropped her eyes, unconsciously tugging the collar around her throat. Her cle**age was deep and f**king enticing.

“I’ll forever be in your debt for helping me get him back. I think you deserve a long holiday and someone to pamper you.” Her eyes darted to Suzette—not at all subtle and way too insinuating.

Ah, for f**k’s sake what was with weddings and hook-ups?

She added, “Don’t be an idiot, Franco.”

His mouth fell open; eyes just as wide.

I grabbed the leash from her collar, wrapping it around my fist. “Enough, esclave. He’ll figure it out. And if he doesn’t, there are plenty of other body parts that can be sliced off to make him understand.”

Franco spluttered. “Hey, what?” His green eyes landed on Suzette who turned bright red. She coughed, backing away, the tips of her ears flaming.

I didn’t have any time for other people’s lives. Mine was all I wanted and I was done being the centre of attention.

Tugging the leash, the collar slipped a little, glinting with an inscription: property of Q Mercer.

My eyes slammed closed. I was ruined. High on the need to claim.

My c**k twitched, clawing its way through my trousers to my wife.

Yep, I would never be removing that collar.

Screw the reception. Screw the guests. I was done.