My Thug Bride

by Katherine Summers

  I’m a very lucky woman.

  Over the past five years, I can’t say Mark hasn’t regretted his words. He understood pretty soon that what I do means I threaten my life too. He got more and more anxious with the years. His descent into a worrying old man, who was torn between being a proud father and wanting his daughter to be a normal girl after all, made me reluctant to ever date seriously.

  Rumors around me spread, of course. I don’t care – I didn’t, until Henry came along. And he said he loves me, I’m practically obsessed with him as well. But I really don’t know how to explain all of this.

  Which ordinary man would understand the utter madness that is my life and still care to be in love?

  The fights were enough to freak him out. Imagine him finding out that I’m the colleague to an international spy?

  It’s funny. And it freaks me out like hell.

  Chapter 18

  Henry

  The Cain Matthews wedding also marked our three week anniversary together. I’m saying it because we both got invited to the party. Being the extremely sporty chick she is, Anna accepted in a heartbeat. Turns out Cain and his fiancé apologized to Anna. Anna even asked a favor of Mark and helped Martha get that custom made wedding gown of hers from RDesigns at a seventy percent discount. I love my girl, but I honestly don’t get her sometimes.

  Mark got invited as a thank-you from Martha and he asked my dad to be his plus one. Earnest honestly could have flown to the moon and never come back. He was that happy. Mark left the house to pick up dad, Anna asked him to drop her off at my apartment so we could come together. I had offered to pick her up, but of course she had told me, “Your place is on the way. I’ll ask Mark to drop me there. Let’s save gas Hathaway.”

  We’re not going to die from lack of gas, sweetheart. Maybe from a virus, three weeks from now. But not from lack of gas certainly.

  I’m kidding.

  I’m glad she came to me instead, because the way she looked would have made me fall to my feet. A red trumpet dress slit up to her mid-thigh, the satin hugging her body so perfectly, I visibly swallowed. Anna is an enigma whenever she dresses up. I looked at her shapely legs and her brilliant smile, I couldn’t help but think, boy her father was wrong. She has great taste in clothes.

  “You look handsome,” she kissed me on my lips.

  “You look –“ She cut me short with her sweet laugh, “I can see your face. I’m that pretty?”

  “Divine, sweetheart.”

  “You could be talking out of affection.”

  I pressed her into my body. She must’ve felt my growing hard-on against her bottom, because she stared at me with surprised, chuckling eyes.

  “Still think I’m being nice?” I teased.

  “Uh-huh.”

  The past week between us has been great. Except the mild discomfort of not knowing what she does yet, things have worked out fine. Every time I see her, I’m so awed, I’m pretty sure of my love for her right about now. We’ve taken a lot of walks, watched tons of movies, talked through nights. It feels like there never was a time when she wasn’t with me.

  I’m lonely when I have to drop her off at her house. We text the night away. And I want her on a daily basis. Every time we’re in a safe place, I feel like spreading her legs and burying into her sweetness. I’m happier than I’ve ever been.

  Still insecure, but very happy. Sometimes I do wonder what the boys Anna has been with were like. She’s such a decent woman. Who wouldn’t like her?

  “I can’t believe you paid for Martha’s gown out of your own pocket,” I played with her hair while she adjusted my tie, “Technically, they’re both assholes.”

  She laughed, “Because she asked me to be her bridesmaid, and I was feeling good.”

  “For real? You’re the bridesmaid? And where in the world do you get so much money from Anna? I know it can’t be Mark’s.”

  “All in good time, honey. I’m not the bridesmaid. I refused.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I wanted to spend the night with you.”

  “Don’t make me go harder baby.”

  She cocked her brow and grinned her classic grin. Her hands trailed the front of my pants. I sucked in a breath when she rubbed my cock through the fabric. It felt good.

  “I wouldn’t d-do that.” My voice was barely a whisper.

  “Damn me,” she replied.

  She let me go. I kissed her as fiercely as I could before we left for the wedding.

  The wedding per say was boring. There was some media coverage because of dad and Markian. I stayed out of everyone’s way, greeted the people I knew and focused on Anna alone. I avoided dad like a nightmare. I drank some wine and flirted with my lady for the rest of my time.

  Once the bride and groom began to dance, I took Anna to the dance floor as well. She’s an incredible dancer. She’s also a tease, because I noticed how she deliberately moved close to me and against my groin but drew away way too fast. The next time she tried to pull her little stunt, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her into myself. She stood put.

  “You’re quite daring,” I mentioned.

  “So are you,” she replied.

  “There’s so many people around us, sweetheart. This isn’t exactly a club party, so you should stop teasing me.”

  “Maybe you could hold it in while I do whatever I want.”

  “You’re way too entitled.” I couldn’t help my chuckle. She smiled. She’s seducing me with her eyes.

  “I’m the heiress of RDesigns, sweetie. Of course I’m entitled.”

  “By the way, guess who your father introduced me to?”

  “Shayne Elliot. I saw.”

  “I also met his son, the original Ray Elliot.”

  She raised her brows, “Any judgements in that case?”

  “He’s unimpressive. You have a far more handsome a boyfriend.”

  “Honey, I have the handsomest boyfriend.”

  “Want to show me off to him?”

  “He can go fuck himself on the head, Hathaway.”

  Her smile was enticing. She pressed closer to me. She makes me wonder how she doesn’t show a speck of fear of the public around us. Or the presence of our fathers. She grinds her body against mine. I want her to stop. She dares me with her eyes. Her lips spread into a cocky smile. I’m way too easily swayed by her charm.

  Without a thought, I hold her chin up and press her lips into mine.

  “Language, baby,” I warn.

  “You sound jealous.”

  “I might be.”

  “Of?”

  “If the douchebag could really have been your type.”

  “My type?”

  “Your dad mentioned something about you not dating nice guys, sweetheart.”

  “Hathaway, it’s dad who is probably jealous.”

  We took off.

  Turns out, we’d both never done it in a car before. I took Anna on the backseat of my car. I had to press my hand to her lips to stop her from screaming while I held her hips and took her from behind. I don’t like the word doggystyle, but boy, it is the best thing we’ve ever done.

  Anna

  Henry can be quite the man when he decides to be. Our lovemaking in his car was so intense, I thought my heart would fall out. I’ve never felt so satisfied before. I think he improves tremendously with each of our passionate nights together.

  I adjusted my dress and fought for breath while he buttoned his pants. I tried to fix my hair so we could go back to the party. Henry stopped me from opening the door. He kissed the back of my hand and pulled me into his chest.

  “Henry?”

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  My heart aches everytime he says that. It also jumps around with joy that fills every vein in my body. I kissed our entwined hands and smiled.

  “I love you too.”

  “For real?”

  “Yes.”

  “Anna?”

  “Yes?”

 
“I want to marry you.”

  I froze.

  What?

  My fingers clasped around his own harder, and I lost my words.

  What in the world?

  “You don’t have to give me a reply,” he said while I leaned into his chest some more. His head was on top of mine, and he kissed our hands again, “But you’re the one for me, Anna.”

  “The one?” I whispered.

  “The one person fated for everybody. You’re it for me.”

  “How can you be so sure?” You don’t even know what I’m involved in, Henry.

  “I am. It’s you.”

  I could have cried. Emotion riled through my throat. I’ve never had someone love me so intensely before. I’ve never felt so strongly for anyone before either. But I’m not sure of my feelings. I know my heart beats wildly every time we’re together. He makes me so happy. He makes me feel like living isn’t a chore. I look forward to my days. I sometimes even want to skip on my teaching classes so I can be with him.

  He’s all the adrenaline rush I need.

  But then, there are times I want him to draw away. I want to run, as far as I can. Because, how long can a flimsy love last? Feelings are shallow and ever changing. We’ve been together for three weeks. We love each other now. My question is… for how long?

  I don’t want to be hurt. Ever again. People have always left me behind, which is why I sought to make an independent life for myself in the first place. I’d rather be left alone than go through the trouble of coping with abandonment again. I’m not even sure what I’d do if Henry left me. Which is why, sometimes I find myself wanting to run from my feelings for him. I hate handing over power over me to anybody else. And I end up resenting feeling this deep an attachment for Hathaway.

  I wonder where he gets his confidence from. Isn’t he afraid of the girl who was fighting off thugs in the middle of the night?

  I made up my mind. I don’t know why. Somewhere in my heart I wanted him to say all these words to me again, after I had told him who I was. Somewhere I was also bracing myself if he decided to run away. Then I could at least protect myself from severe emotional damage.

  “Henry?” I gulped.

  “Yes.”

  “Remember the day I promised I’d tell you everything about me?”

  He stiffened. “Yes.”

  “You can’t tell a soul.”

  It was the longest night of my life. I’ve never felt so afraid. Not even when I went out with Toni for the first time ever. My insides clenched, my hands shivered as I tried to get the right words out of my mouth. Love is strange. I’m afraid as I speak, I can’t help but wonder what this means for us. How is Henry going to react? I’m afraid. I’m more afraid than I have ever been.

  I tried my best to explain to him who I was, the choices I have made, but the stunned expression on his face revealed absolutely nothing. I tried to find traces of fear, reluctance… maybe the need to get away. But he looked shocked. That was all I could get. Even after I had stopped talking, Henry didn’t speak. Silence flooded the backseat of the car where we had just made love. It somehow seemed to have happened ages ago.

  It was awkward. I could hear my heartbeat in my eardrums. At some point I began to sweat, I wanted to ask him to say something. Anything.

  Relief came to me when my phone rang. Surprisingly, it was Earnest Hathaway who had called me. I picked up in hesitation but couldn’t hide the relief.

  “Hello?”

  “Anna? Where are you guys? Henry isn’t picking up.”

  “Oh, we’re nearby. I – I’ll just ask him to go inside.”

  “Actually… no. If you have a minute, could we talk for a bit dear?”

  I frowned, “Yeah. Sure. What is it?”

  “I don’t want to talk on the phone. Can you meet me in the garden behind the wedding hall?”

  I was very confused. But nothing at this point was unwelcome, except for the silence in the car. I agreed, “Yeah, I’ll be there in five.”

  I locked my phone and gave Henry a sideward glance. He looked deep in thought. He was twiddling his thumbs and staring straight ahead at the windshield. Despite my best intentions, his lack of reaction ticked me off. I told myself that my growing anger was senseless and unjustified. But… how do I help it? I hate feeling helpless. And at that point, helpless was all I felt.

  I took my leave as indiscreetly as possible. I don’t think he noticed. I drew my fingers through his hair before leaving, resisting the urge to kiss the top of his head.

  Please be over it, Henry. Please.

  I walked to the garden.

  The night air had grown colder and my dress was making me a little uncomfortable. Asking for Henry’s coat wasn’t an option anymore. So I wrapped my arms around myself and busied myself in wondering what Earnest wanted from me. The garden was dimly lit and not many people were outside. I spotted old Ernie standing beside the fountain with a glass of wine.

  “Mr. Hathaway,” I called out. He turned around and smiled. For a second, he resembled an older version of Henry. It relieved me, and made me want to cry at the same time. I swallowed.

  “It’s cold isn’t it?” he asked. I shrugged, “I’m fine.”

  “Where’s my son?”

  “He’s in the car. He forgot something.”

  Earnest gave me a knowing smile, and it made me feel worse.

  “Where’s my father?”

  “Mark? I think he was hanging out with one of his colleagues. You enjoying the party?”

  “So-so.”

  “You look beautiful, dear.”

  “Thank you Mr. Hathaway.”

  I’ve mentioned how sometimes, I can read people’s eyes. I could see that Earnest was struggling for words. I could also see that he was beginning to get uncomfortable. I wondered what he wanted to say. And because the thought of Henry didn’t leave me for a second, I urged him, “So… something you wanted to talk about?”

  “Yes.”

  “What is it?”

  “Remember when you asked me, Anna… that one day I should tell you why I betrayed Mark?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I thought tonight would be nice. If you’re willing to have the conversation of course.”

  Alert signs rose well within my body. I had made old Ernie promise me that he should someday let me know. But why suddenly? Why today and now?

  “Is everything going well between you and Mark?” I asked out of worry.

  “It couldn’t be better. It’s just… I want to tell you now, Anna. I think it could help.”

  “Help with?”

  He chuckled, “Henry mentioned you’re a tough one. Just hear me out, dear.”

  I held back my voice at Henry’s name. I nodded.

  “You know how much Markian means to me, Anna,” Earnest began, “Back in college, we were best friends. I’m not a very social person, I never was. If you ever ask Henry, he’ll say his father is a nerd. I guess Mark was the same as me back in those days, which is why we clicked as soon as we met.”

  “Truth is, I never heard of you until three weeks ago,” I admitted seriously, “But I know you’re very important to Mark.” Maybe more than me. Mark and I are a very recent phenomenon. If not for me failing senior high, we’d always have been a family on paper alone.

  “It is like him to not mention me.” There was a hint of sadness in Earnest’s eyes. I shut my mouth. I’d have to be very careful of what I say to him. He is a sensitive man. Is Henry that way too?

  “Anyway. Care to walk with me?” I took Earnest’s hand. We strolled around the garden. It was freezing, but my attention fixed on old Ernie’s drooping shoulders. Where was all of this coming from? Besides a few greetings that we had exchanged via. text, we weren’t really close. I wonder why he wants to tell me what happened so long ago.

  I had asked him, I wanted to know. But his timing is just so… horribly wrong.

  “I don’t remember her name… the woman your father was dating. Truth be told, I wa
s a little jealous back then because Mark’s time wasn’t mine alone anymore. I don’t want you to find that cringeworthy, Anna. We were just very good friends. I had always been alone before I found him. After him, I hated being left alone.”

  I smiled, “I understand. I’d prefer all my friends to myself as well. If Kelly and Shinoda ever find themselves a new best friend, they’re begging for war.”

  I half meant it, it was half an attempt to ease his mood.

  Earnest smiled back, “I know, right? But besides that, I never really was in love with Mark’s woman. I mean come on. She was his girlfriend. And he was my best friend. There was no way.”

  I was surprised, “Then how come –“

  “I’m building up to there,” he grinned, but it was a sad smile, “You know what an orgy is, right?”

  I hesitated. This better be going somewhere.

  “Your son’s son would know what it is, word travels that fast in our country,” I said flatly.

  “My son’s son? Anna, by any chance –“

  I rolled my eyes. I am not pregnant. He got that from my face, because he coughed and continued again, “I helped this jock out once with a project we were put in together. He invited me to an afterparty. Which is where I saw it for the first time… an orgy.”

  My brows twitched. Earnest didn’t match my eyes. I frowned, “So Mark’s girlfriend was… part of this group session?”

  “Her and five other guys I knew.”

  I swallowed. “Did you –“

  “No, no!” He started to look offended. I for one, was starting to get uncomfortable.