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She twists her head at the last second.

Our mouths crush together.

And fuck me, time stops.

My blood turns to fire. My hand instinctively glides over her hip.

…Then something sharp presses into my side.

Our lips are still sealed together as my eyes swivel down and spot the gleaming steel blade in her hand held to my kidney.

I pull back abruptly with a scowl, dropping my hand from her hip. Bella’s not scowling back. She’s not smiling, either. Her face is just weirdly neutral as her throat bobs and her knife slowly leaves my side.

My lips are still tingling.

My blood is still thudding in my ears.

I scowl at her.

She, oddly, winks, then turns away as we rejoin our own tribes.

“Hey,” Dad smiles wryly as he claps me on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you, son. For doing what you had to for the family.”

My brow furrows. “It never should have gotten to this⁠—”

“But it did,” he murmurs. “And you did what a true Barone does: whatever is necessary.”

“And hey,” Mom interjects, “you never know. Some forced marriages work out just fine,” she says with a sly grin at my dad.

He scoffs. “Just fine?”

“I mean, it’ll do.”

She giggles as he slides one hand possessively over her hip and tangles the other one in her ginger hair, dragging her close for a kiss.

“Puke,” Cenzo blanches.

“Shut up, they’re super cute,” Sofia mutters, elbowing him hard in the ribs.

“By the way…” Dad frowns as he turns back to me. “Where’s your signet ring?”

A shadow crosses my heart.

Considering the last time I saw it, I was drugged and watching Bella yank it off my finger, I’m guessing it's either pawned or down a storm drain by now.

“I’m having it resized,” I lie.

“Look.” Mom grabs my arm with a smile. “The rain is letting up a little outside. Grab your blushing bride. I want to get some shots of the whole family.”

Do I want to take photos with Bella muttering a hex under her breath or some other shit?

Not a fucking chance. But I know this day means a lot to my mom, even if it doesn't to me.

Bella glares at me as I butt into her conversation with Una and pull her away.

“Hey, just so you know,” she hisses. “Try to kiss me again and you’ll⁠—”

“Calm down, Elvira. Believe me, that was the last time that’s ever happening,” I drone. “Anyway, my mom wants to take pictures of the family outside.”