Chapter 2

In the front row, Kian’s face went rigid. He grabbed Lorelei’s arm, yanking her back down into her seat before she could say another word. 

"They don’t like public displays," Kian barked at the crowd. "Cut it out."

A month ago, during our final rehearsal, Kian had insisted on removing the traditional wedding kiss. He claimed he wanted to keep things "private and classy." What a joke. He was just laying the groundwork for his twin to take his place today without having to touch me.

Too bad for him. 

I didn't back down. Instead, I reached out, hooked my finger around Kael’s tie. I went up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips hard against his.

For a split second, Kael froze. His whole body went rigid under my touch. Then his hand clamped onto the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my veil as he tilted my head. He kiss me back like a starving man who had just been handed a feast. The taste of mint and danger flooded my senses.

Crash!

A wooden chair clattered against the floor. Kian had kicked it over.

In a flash, Kian vaulted onto the stage. He grabbed my arm and violently yanked me away from Kael.

"Renata! Are you insane?" Kian roared, his chest heaving, his face flushed with pure fury. "How could you kiss him?"

The entire cathedral fell dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. Whispers erupted in the back rows.

I blinked, shaking off Kian's grip. I gave him a perfectly blank, innocent look. "I’m kissing my husband at my own wedding. How is that insane? And why are you so mad?"

Kian choked on his words. He couldn't say it.

Kael didn’t miss a beat. He smoothly stepped between us, shielding me with his larger frame.

"Easy, Keal," Kael said, reminding him of his place. "I know you’re emotional about your brother getting married, but Renata is your sister-in-law now. Show some respect."

To twist the knife, Kael casually swiped his thumb across his lower lip, licking off a smudge of my red lipstick. The provocation was loud and clear.

Kian saw red. The veins in his neck bulged. He opened his mouth, ready to expose the whole sick charade right there.

"Kian!"

Lorelei scrambled onto the stage, her white slip dress clinging to her as she ran. She grabbed Kian’s arm. She leaned in, hissing near his ear.

"Not here. Are you crazy?" Lorelei whispered frantically. "Everyone’s watching—the press, the board. Do you want to ruin the Voss name? The stock will plummet!"

That snapped him out of it. He clenched his jaw so hard I thought his teeth would shatter.

Lorelei immediately spun around to face the stunned crowd, plastering on an apologetic smile.

"So sorry, everyone!" she laughed nervously, waving a hand. "Kael’s just had too much champagne. He’s always been so emotional about his brother hitting milestones!"

The officiant, an old pro at handling mob weddings, took the cue. "Let’s hear it for the string quartet, ladies and gentlemen!"

The music swelled, drowning out the awkward murmurs. As the coordinators rushed to usher us off the stage for photos, Kian leaned in close to Kael.

"You’re gonna pay for this," Kian sneered.

Kael just smiled. A polite, empty curve of the lips.

Ten minutes later, the reception was in full swing in the grand ballroom. Waiters passed out champagne, but the grooms were nowhere to be found. I ditched my bridesmaids, claiming I needed to fix my dress, and slipped down the private hallway toward the VIP dressing rooms. 

Angry voices echoed from behind the door.

Crash!

The sound of shattering crystal pierced the air. 

"I told you to stand in for me, not actually marry her! How dare you kiss her! " Kian screamed.

Through the crack in the door, I saw a whiskey glass explode against the wall. A shard ricocheted, slashing a thin, bloody line right across Kael’s cheek.

Kael didn't even flinch. He stood there, hands in his pockets. He slowly raised his thumb, wiping the blood from his face.

"Push her away?" Kael asked, his voice dangerously calm. "And have the headlines say the Voss family rejects the Moretti marriage? Or that the heir bailed on his own wedding in front of the Five Families?"

Kael took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "I was doing my job, brother. Saving your ass. Again."

"Bullshit!" Kian lunged, grabbing Kael's collar. He slammed Kael against the wall. "Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’ve never stopped wanting her, have you? Ever since we were kids! You think you can steal her from me?"

Kael stared down at the hands gripping his shirt.

"She kissed me, Kian," Kael whispered, hitting exactly where it hurt. "What was I supposed to do?"

Kian shoved him away in disgust. He took a deep breath, straightening his own jacket as he regained his arrogant composure.

"I’m assigning you to the London office," Kian ordered, his tone turning cold and authoritative. "Three months. You pack up and leave on tonight’s flight."

Kael stayed silent, just watching him.

"After three months, we switch back," Kian continued, pointing a finger hard at his brother's chest. "Everything goes back to normal. I’m the heir to Voss Corp. And Renata is mine."

Outside the door, I pressed my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud. 

Kian actually thought he had it all figured out. He thought he could just toss me to his brother, play house with his twisted sister for a whole season, and come back to claim his throne like nothing happened.

He didn't know. 

The Voss family blood oath wasn't tied to a specific name. The patriarch, Corvin Voss, made it very clear to the Five Families: whoever marries the Moretti girl becomes the undisputed heir to the empire.