The jealous groom, p.1
The Jealous Groom, page 1
The Jealous Groom
Alexa Riley
Contents
The Jealous Groom
Part I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Part II
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Epilogue
Epilogue
Read Me Romance
Stalk the Author
Copyright © 2021 by Author Alexa Riley LLC. All rights reserved.
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http://alexariley.com/
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Edited by Aquila Editing
The Jealous Groom
by Alexa Riley
Allison and Amber are twins, best friends, and partners in crime. They’re the ones always causing trouble, raising hell, and living the good life. But striking a deal with the Princes of Norway may have gotten them a teensy bit in over their heads. Now they’re on the run from the brothers that have tricked them into marriage…and a whole lot more. It’s all fun and games until you make the wrong man jealous.
Magnus and Henrik have decided to share the throne and all of the work that goes along with it. When they finally take a vacation to the Greek Isles, a night at the casino brings them more than just good luck. The twins have made a bet and now it’s time to collect…whether they come quietly or not.
Warning: What could be more jealous than a man used to getting everything he wants? How about two of them! The big bossy bruisers (say that three times fast) aren’t letting these sassy Americans break their deal.
For all the little sisters that cause trouble…
you know who you are, and we love you.
Part I
Chapter 1
Allison
“Another dance?” Charlie asks, holding his hand out to me. He’s been charming most of the night, and he’s also not bad on the eyes, but I feel nothing. When he smiles it doesn't meet his eyes, making me think he’s trying to hide something I want no part of beyond a few dances. It doesn't hurt that I know it would piss Magnus off. He’s jealous of a man I’ve never even kissed, but he thinks he owns me.
While I do love to dance, it’s almost time to go. “Later? I need a drink.” I excuse myself quickly before he can offer to get me one.
Amber is still on the dance floor, and Henry is spinning her around. Amber and I might be twins, but she’s always the one to draw attention. She’s louder and more outgoing than I am. Most of the time I think she does it because she knows I shy away from attention. So she always makes sure the focus is on her. She’s one minute older than me and has always been my protector. She’s also the one who more often than not gets us into the trouble we need protecting from.
“Is there something I need to know?” Lindsey asks when she walks up beside me.
I’m at the small bar in the corner of the wedding reception, and she looks breathtaking in her wedding dress. The event was small but not too small, with around seventy-five guests, if I had to guess. I run my hands down my light purple bridesmaid’s dress, pretending to brush the wrinkles out as I try and buy time.
“I know when you lie.” She does, so I dodge her question.
“Is there something you need to tell me? A few weeks ago you were with Amber and me in the Greek Islands, and now you’re married with a bun on the oven.” A giant smile lights up her face as her hand goes to her stomach.
“Did you ever think this would be our lives?” I glance around the beautiful castle they’ve rented for the wedding. Flowers and crystals cover everything, and no expense was spared.
“No.” I shake my head, picking up a glass of champagne and taking a sip. This is far from the life we grew up in, and even though Lindsey isn't my sister by blood, she’s my sister in every way that counts. It’s hard to remember a time without her, and I don’t like to.
Amber and I rolled around the foster system for a while because they’d been so sure we’d get adopted. We were young and cute, but it never happened. We were tainted by the life we’d had before our mother and father were carted off to jail, and we’d forever be known as the Carlito twins. We were the daughters of one of the worst drug runners in the country, and our parents did awful things. Maybe people thought it was genetic, but our father was a terrible man and died in prison. We don’t know what happened to our birth mother after she got out, but we assumed the people she informed on got their revenge.
After bouncing from house to house, we finally ended up in a foster home with Lindsey, and she became our guardian angel. She was only a handful of years older than us, but she pulled us in and watched over us. I say she’s a sister, but she’s really been like a mother to all of us, including our brother Darian.
He’s the reason we’re now living the life of the rich and famous. Our brilliant brother came up with technology I’ll never be able to wrap my mind around. He’s gone and made himself the next Bill Gates and brought our little makeshift family with him. He found his happily ever after with Rosy, and now Lindsey has found hers with Gibson. They’re all so perfect together and I envy that kind of love.
“I’m happy for you.” I set the glass down to give Lindsey a giant hug.
She deserves this more than anyone. She worked her ass off making sure we always had food on the table and a roof over our heads. She always put herself last, and I couldn't be happier that she’s found someone that will take care of her the same way. Gibson looks at her like he’s more than happy to have that role.
“So you’re not going to tell me? You still haven't filled us in about a couple of princes demanding yours and Amber’s hands in marriage.” Shit.
“Look at the time.” I pretend to look at a non-existent watch. She gives me a hard look, and it’s one that normally has me spilling all my secrets. She’s going to make a killer mom, but I don’t have time to explain. “I have to pee.” Now that’s not a lie, because I could totally pee if I made myself.
She opens her mouth to stop me, but I dart off toward the bathroom. I catch Amber’s eyes and tap my wrist to indicate it’s time to wrap it up. We’ve been here too long, and we’re going to get caught if we don't get a move on soon. It’s harder to dodge a couple of princes than one would think. Even when you’re not in their country anymore.
She nods, and I roll my eyes as I watch her pick the man’s wallet when he goes to spin her around again. I know she’ll only toss it, but it’s all about the thrill for her. For both of us really. We don’t have a reason to steal anymore, but some habits die hard.
Now we have more money than we know what to do with, and we’re at a loss. It was fun at first because we didn’t have to think about where our next meal might come from. There’s freedom in being ungodly wealthy, but there’s also been an emptiness about it.
We were just after a thrill, but now we’re in a game of cat and mouse with a pair of brothers that are either sending us to prison or the altar. We got in over our heads this time, and I don’t know how this will end.
I sneak down the hallway to wait for my sister, and I hate that we’re not saying goodbye. Lindsey and Darian are going to murder us, but it’s what we have to do.
The problem with running from royalty is that not only are they just as wealthy as we are with access to private planes and hotel bookings under assumed names, but they’re powerful. They have access to anything and everything, even things they shouldn’t.
I tap my shoe, waiting for Amber to hurry up, and then suddenly I’m trying to scream as a hand comes down over my mouth. An arm wraps snuggly around my waist, and I’m pulled against the large, hard body at my back. I know it’s Magnus right away just from the feel of him. Why was it me that drew his attention? Out of the two Strand brothers, he’s by far the meaner-looking one. From my understanding he lives up to that, and if anything he’s a better fit for my sister. Why isn't he chasing after her? A weird jealousy fills me at the thought, but I don’t have time to dwell on it as he moves his lips up my neck.
“My little bird. I think it’s time to clip those wings,” he whispers, and his warm breath fans against my skin before he presses a kiss to the shell of my ear.
His lips spur me into action, and I scream against his hand. I try to fight, but my strength quickly drains, and I know it’s over.
I belong to him now.
Chapter 2
Magnus
“Stop fighting,” I growl as I carry Allison out of the back door to the waiting car. The driver has the door open and doesn’t say a word as I clearly kidnap her from the event against he r will. “The airport,” I bark as I slam the door.
“No! We can’t leave, Amber is still in there,” she pleads, and her eyes widen as the driver speeds away.
“Not for long,” I say and straighten my suit. “Henrik has another car waiting.”
Her eyes widen in realization, and she slumps against her seat. “Why are you doing this?”
“I allowed you to attend your sister's wedding and even let you enjoy most of the reception. But my good graces are over, and I’m coming to claim what’s owed.”
“You can’t be serious.” A strand of dark hair falls out of her perfectly styled bun, and my fingers itch to tuck it behind her ears.
My face is dark as I lean in close, and she tries and fails to put distance between us. “I never joke about my possessions.”
“It was a stupid card game, Magnus. You can’t come to the other side of the world and kidnap me.”
“Who was that man you were dancing with?” My scowl is so intense it narrows my vision. “Why did you let him touch you? To make me jealous?”
She crosses her arms and looks out the window as she raises her chin defiantly. “I’m not answering any questions until I talk to my sister.”
“Then it will be a silent trip home.”
When she turns to face me, her eyes widen once more. “To Norway?”
“Ja.” I answer in Norwegian, and her mouth falls open.
My brother Henrik and I were on vacation in the Greek Islands after a year of nonstop work since we’d taken the throne. We lost our mother, the pillar of our royal family, the year before, and since then we’d taken over duties. Henrik and I decided to forgo tradition and share the responsibility even though I was the eldest and next in line. It was balked at by others in line, but we didn’t care. Our mother raised us to forge our own path, and so we did.
Once we found our new footing and delegated what was necessary, we were able to take a breath, along with a much-needed vacation. We agreed on quiet alone time with lots of sun…and no women. Even though it was a vacation, we didn’t want to lose focus, and women would only be a distraction.
After a day on our yacht, we decided to disembark and visit the casino. As soon as we walked in, it felt like the whole place was charged with electricity. Everything was expensive, from the velvet seats to the gold tables and the diamonds in the chandeliers. It was more opulent than most castles I’d lived in, but it was nothing compared to the beauty sitting at the bar.
Allison was in a tight black dress that was high on her thighs and cut low in the front. It was a dress that said look at me, and I fucking did. She was laughing with another woman at the bar. She wore a similar dress, but I didn’t really look at her because I was totally focused on Allison.
Her dark hair hung over one shoulder, and her red lips were the same shade as her shoes. I’d never seen anything so tempting in my entire life, and when my brother froze beside me for a split second I was angry. I thought he had his eyes on the woman I wanted, but to my surprise he was having the same reaction to the woman sitting next to her. To Amber.
We didn’t approach them right away, but instead went to the private room we’d reserved for gambling. We sent word to the bar that they were invited to join us and indulge in spending our money while we played together. It was agony waiting on them to enter, but as soon as she stepped a red heel through the door, she was mine.
“You cheated,” Allison hisses under her breath from beside me like she’s recalling the same thing.
“To have you?” I scowl like she’s being ridiculous. “Of course I would cheat. But that night the gods gave you to me, and that’s the end of it.”
She throws up her hands in frustration, and I shrug as the car gets closer to the airport.
We had drinks and food brought in, and then dancers and performers to entertain the women. It was a night of decadence, and I’d never smiled so much. I’d also never drunk so much. I was strict on how much I indulged because I didn’t want to lose my control, but when it came to Allison, I had none.
“I never agreed to marry you,” she huffs.
“You did, and you shall.” My words are final, but she won’t look at me.
The four of us were seated at the round poker table with Allison and Amber in the middle. They were laughing, and when I took her hand in mine, it was the first time in my life that I truly knew what I wanted my future to look like.
I told her that if the next card was the queen of hearts that she would have to be my bride. The way she raised an eyebrow in challenge made my body weak, but I knew I had to try. With a small nod and a curl of her lips, the bargain was made. I prayed to all the gods, and when the dealer turned the next card, it was done.
I must have had more to drink that night than I realized because when Allison excused herself to the restroom with her sister, I didn’t follow. That’s when they made a run for it, and she slipped through my fingers. Since then we’ve been traveling all over the world to hunt them down.
“Where I come from, this is called kidnapping.” She tries the door handle, but it’s locked, so I take hold of her wrist and place it in her lap. I don’t pull my hand away but leave its weight on top of hers and rub my thumb across her wrist.
“Where I come from, this is how you take a bride.” I let my eyes move up and down her body so that she doesn’t miss my desire. “You steal her.”
“Please, Magnus.”
My nostrils flare, and I lift her wrist to my mouth, where I place a kiss on the tender skin and inhale her scent. Sweet lilies invade my mind as I breathe her in and then gently brush my lips in the same spot. “I love how you say my name.” I open my eyes to meet hers, and I feel my wicked smile spread. “And how pretty you sound when you beg.”
Chapter 3
Allison
My heart races, and I know I’m in way over my head. Even more so without my sister by my side, but if their plan was to divide and conquer, it’s a good one.
I’m no match against Magnus on my own, and I’m still uncertain why these two are chasing us all over the world. They must hate being told no. I must be the first to have ever given Magnus the slip, and it’s probably eating him alive. I’m sure the man can have any woman he wants. He’s rich, powerful, sexy, and damn, did he make me laugh that first night. We had a good time, but it was too good.
“You’ve had your fun. You caught me. You win, now take me back,” I order. He stares at me, his face unchanging. He’s such a hard man to read. “My brother will come for me.” I play that card because it’s the only one I’ve got.
“He can try.” He shrugs like anything Darian is capable of, so is he.
I know he’s right, and I feel helpless. He’s kidnapped me without so much as blinking an eye, and now he really thinks we’re going to get married? I have no idea how to play this or talk my way out of it.
He stares at my mouth, and my lips tingle. He doesn't look like he just wants to kiss me, he wants to consume me. For a brief moment I think about letting him. What if I gave in and gave him what he wanted? But would one night turn into two, and then maybe three? Maybe only until he was bored with me and then it would be over.
I ask myself what Amber would do and wet my bottom lip. Magnus’s jaw ticks, and I remember how I got away from him once. Surely I can do it again.
“Do you want to kiss me, Magnus?” I lean toward him as I try to come up with a plan.
“I want to do more than kiss you.” My heart races even faster.
He’s the only person that has ever given me this kind of thrill before. He’d been right about me dancing with another man to make him mad. I was a child acting out, and I pushed and pushed until I got kidnaped by a prince. My family wouldn't even be surprised by this.
