I almost take a page out of Athina’s book and rip the device out of his hand, saying no phones are allowed on our wedding night, but I suppress the urge and turn my attention to the window.

Wedding night.

Nikolas is in for one hell of a surprise if he thinks I’m just going to become a dutiful wife who warms his bed and prepares his meals.

The SUV turns into an underground parking lot, and when it comes to a standstill, Nikolas shoves his door open and gets out. He doesn’t wait for me and stalks toward a set of elevators.

Loukas, the driver, opens the door for me. I get out and thank him, then walk to where James is waiting. Having his familiar face here makes everything feel less foreign.

As we begin to walk, he murmurs, “I’ve moved all your clothes over to the penthouse. Let me know if you need anything else, and I’ll have it brought over.”

I don’t like the idea of a man packing my clothes, but thankful that I’ll have my personal belongings, I say, “Thank you, James.”

He stops walking and gestures to the elevator where Nikolas is already inside, leaning back against a panel, still on his phone.

Taking a deep breath, I step inside. None of the guards joins us. Nikolas presses a button, and the door slides shut before me.

We climb the floors in absolute silence, and when the elevator opens, I’m greeted with a sleek and modern entrance hall. Everything is glass, chrome, and dark gray furnishings.

Stepping out of the elevator and into the penthouse, I glance around, overwhelmed by the sheer size of the place and all the luxury.

“This is your home?” I walk deeper into the living room, admiring the dark gray leather sofas and a massive entertainment system complimented by a glass sculpture of Hades and his three-headed hound.

The god of the underworld. I’m not surprised Nikolas found a kinship with him.

“It’s our home.” Without any further explanation, Nikolas heads up a swirling chrome and glass staircase.

Setting after him, I say, “I thought you lived at the Stathoulis’ mansion.”

“I don’t plan on fucking you with our parents in hearing distance,” comes his dry remark.

“Ha!” I scowl at his back and damn if the man doesn’t fill the tuxedo perfectly. “You’ll be so lucky.”

We walk down a hallway, closed doors on either side. I’ll explore later. Right now, Nikolas and I have a conversation to finish.

I follow him into the master suite and stop in the middle of the room. To my right is a king-size bed draped in dark gray silk bedding. Darkened windows span the entire wall.

To my left is an ensuite bathroom, and in front of me is a walk-in closet the size of my entire bedroom at my apartment.

Nikolas shrugs out of his jacket then rips the bowtie from around his neck. He unbuttons the cuffs of his crisp white shirt before starting on the buttons running down his chest.

My eyebrow lifts. “You said we’d finish the talk tonight.”

Letting out a sigh, he doesn’t even glance in my direction. “I’m tired, Theresa.”

“I don’t care,” I bite out. “What the hell happened today? Last week you fucked me only to discard me like trash, and today you married me? Have you lost your mind?”

“Something like that,” he mutters, stepping out of his suit pants.

My other eyebrow lifts as well when Nikolas strips his boxers off.

It’s the first time I see him naked, and it has me blinking as if my mind is short-circuiting.

Golden skin covers one hell of a firm body. I can see his strength rippling in every muscle as he turns and walks toward me. The man has zero self-consciousness, confidence radiating from him.

My eyes drop lower, and I tilt my head.

Wow, no wonder it hurt.

“Be glad I didn’t ship you off, Theresa. I expect you to fulfill all your duties as my wife.”

“Enlighten me,” I mutter as I drag my eyes up to his abs and defined chest. “What are those?”

“You’ll accompany me to events and spread your legs whenever I say so.”

I let out a chuckle, my gaze finally meeting his. “So nothing’s changing, then.” I haven’t allowed myself to look at the ring on my finger. Not until now. Lifting my hand, my gaze drops to the massive diamond sparkling in the electric light. “Hey, at least I get a diamond for all the trouble.”

“That’s my mother’s ring. Show some respect,” he chastises me.

His mother’s ring?

I look at it again and see the intricate leaf pattern woven into the band. Sticking to my guns, I give Nikolas an indifferent look. “I’ll show some respect the day you treat me as more than just a piece of ass.”

Pushing past the asshole, I walk into the closet. My clothes hang on the left side, not even filling a quarter or the huge space.


Tags: Michelle Heard Sinners Dark