Chapter Ten

“I’m here! Sorry I’m late.” Fury rushed in.

The relief in Verity’s eyes stirred a little flicker of hope that their marriage might come to mean more to her than safety for Brody. “Did you get the message from Dusty?”

He and Steel had hiked several kilometers before getting a signal on the MCD. They’d called Dusty. He’d sent a conveyance to pick them up. Upon return to the ranch, Fury had burned precious minutes with a quick shower and a change of clothes. Better to be a tad tardy than to show up smelling of Eau de Horniger. The beasts could be musky, and rubbing against something they’d touched transferred the odor.

“Honoria passed on the message,” Verity said.

“Oh good.” His gaze flicked to Steel’s wife. Until now, he hadn’t noticed she was in the room; he only had eyes for Verity. She looked like a dream. Her blue-green tunic and slacks provided a perfect foil for her glowing, pale complexion. She’d changed her hair, fluffed it, giving it a tousled, just-bedded style that sent heat rushing to his groin. He could imagine her looking like that after…

Could we have a chance, a real chance? Rather than a year of lost opportunity, maybe this was the opportunity.

“Are we ready to get started?” said a purple three-eyed alien resembling Gozar.

“This is JuJu, our officiant.” Verity introduced her then glanced at Honoria. “Would you care to be a witness?”

Steel’s wife grinned. “I’d love to. I was hoping you’d ask.”

“Excellent. Places, please. Verity, Mike, you face me. Honoria, you next to them,” Juju instructed.

They shuffled themselves.

“Is your legal name Mike or Michael?” Juju asked.

“Mike.” Nothing about him was legal. Solutions hadn’t given him a name, just a number, C5-105, fifth iteration cyborg, 105 th out of the gestation tank, codename Fury, which he’d kept because he liked what it represented. He had been a furious foe. When he decided to pass himself off as human, he’d picked the name Mike. It sounded innocuous, unthreatening, not at all like the moniker of a coldblooded killer .

With no further ado, Juju launched right in. “We are gathered here today to unite in civil matrimony Verity Vale and Mike Fury. Although Cosmic Mates unions are provisional, enabling either party to walk away at the end of the trial period, marriage shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. One should approach it with forethought, honest intentions, and commitment. It is the hope that love will grow, mature, and cement the union.”

Of course, she addressed both of them, but it felt like the comments were directed at him. He hadn’t put any forethought into what marriage would mean in practice. Nor had he been honest about his past. If Verity had been fully apprised, he doubted she would be going through with the wedding. He’d committed to a year, but, in every other way, he had violated the intent and spirit of the Cosmic Mates union.

He glanced at Verity, and her tremulous smile caused his breathing to catch. I’m sorry. You deserve better than me. He recalled how he’d informed her he’d honor the contract for a year, but then they were done. Why had he put an end date on the marriage before it had even started? Why couldn’t he have waited to see how the relationship would pan out ?

With a flash of insight, he realized the kid wasn’t the problem. He was terrified he couldn’t hack it in the “real world.” That he’d suck at marriage. That no woman could love him. So, he latched onto an excuse about why this marriage wouldn’t work.

Juju was speaking on how respect formed the cornerstone of a solid marriage. “From respect, love and commitment grow. Before you can respect your spouse, you must respect yourself. You give to the marriage what you bring to the marriage.”

Fuck, if it didn’t sound like she’d tailored her comments to his situation. He eyed her, but her sanguine purple face gave nothing away.

“Do you, Verity Vale, agree to enter into a legal union with Mike Fury as your husband for the term of one year to be extended indefinitely should you both concur?”

“I do,” she said in a low voice.

“Do you, Mike Fury, agree to enter into a legal union with Verity Vale as your wife for the term of one year to be extended indefinitely should you both concur?”

“I really do.”

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. ”

Fury had once gate-crashed the wedding of a crime boss and then killed the man as he left the church with his bride. He had so fucking much to atone for. He didn’t regret killing the man—he was the sort of lowlife who needed to be dead, but the way he’d done it, right in front of the wife? Jesus Christ.

But his guilt over the incident didn’t prevent a wave of longing and hope from sweeping over him now.

His bride looked up at him almost nervously, and he bent his head and brushed his lips against hers. For better or for worse, they were married.

* * * *

Never had a kiss rattled her more. It was a quick, almost-brotherly peck, but her stomach clenched, and her heart raced.

“Congratulations!” Honoria beamed and hugged her.

“Thank you.” It’s done. No going back now. Thankfully, her long tunic hid her shaking knees. Fury had come in, and it was like seeing him for the very first time.

She’d noticed his handsomeness at the start, but today, his attractiveness hit her with a wallop. His rugged features and baby-blue eyes blended into an irresistible combination of masculinity and boyishness. She wondered how he’d remained single for so long.

He could have his pick of women. In other circumstances, he wouldn’t glance twice at a too-pale single mom with mousey hair more brown than auburn, and whose skin turned hot pink if she thought about stepping into the sun. She’d pretty much coerced him into the marriage. He’d agreed out of pity.

The officiant couldn’t know her situation, could she? She worked for Cosmic Mates, not Refuge. But Juju’s comments about forethought, honesty, and commitment had stabbed at her conscience. With no forethought, in a panic, she’d signed up to marry a stranger. She’d omitted any mention of having a child, deceiving Cosmic Mates and Fury, and, from the start, had entered into the marriage planning to annul it at the end of a year. Her commitment had been to her son, not her future husband.

“Sign here, please.” Juju presented her with a tablet. She scribbled her name, and Fury did the same.

It didn’t soothe her conscience she’d had no choice, and she’d do it all over again. She’d had to leave Earth in the fastest manner possible. She couldn’t lose Brody to the Dorns. However, she felt guilty for Fury’s sacrifice.

His vow had given her a glimmer of hope that maybe she could turn things around, start fresh. I really do, he’d said like he meant it, like he wasn’t parroting what he was supposed to say but intended to give this marriage a genuine try. He’d cleaned up before coming here, his blond hair still wet, darkened from the shower. She’d gotten a whiff of minty toothpaste when he’d kissed her. He’d changed clothes. He’d gone the extra mile. Even after she’d lied, he’d done right by Brody. It was one thing for a parent to protect her own offspring, but for a man to protect an unexpected, undesired child testified to his kindheartedness.

He’s a good man , like Honoria said. Not to mention easy on the eyes. She could do far worse in the husband department. She’d been certain this relationship would go nowhere, but why not give the marriage a chance? Many arranged marriages led to love. She had to remain on Refuge at least until Brody became an adult. Afterward, she’d need to consider her options. If she left the planet, she wouldn’t be allowed back, and who knew what would await her on Earth? The Dorns would not give up or forget. Given the limited options, why not choose the one that might lead to happiness?

She’d married a good man. She had a year to make something of this opportunity.

“I’ll be running along. You newlyweds are probably eager to start your honeymoon.” Honoria winked.

They hadn’t gotten a chance to finish their conversation—Fury had rushed in—but it didn’t matter; Steel’s genetics weren’t her business. She shouldn’t have even asked Honoria.

“Thank you so much for coming and for the flowers.” She lifted the bouquet. “It was wonderful to meet you.”

“You’re welcome. It was wonderful to meet you, too. We’ll get together.” Honoria waved at Juju and left.

Verity looked up at Fury. “I guess we did it.”

“I guess we did. Care to grab some dinner?” he asked casually, his cheeks dimpling.

It almost sounded like a date. Her stomach fluttered. “I’d like that.” She turned to the officiant. “Thank you for coming all this way. ”

“My pleasure. I love marrying people. I’m living vicariously through you all. I signed up for Cosmic Mates myself, but so far, a match hasn’t been found.”

Verity donned her coat. As they reached the door, a shower of rice rained over them.

“For your good fortune.” Juju clutched a bowl.

Verity glanced down at the bouquet from Honoria. She’d intended to save it, but it would be better to pay it forward.

“For your good fortune. Catch!” She tossed the bouquet to Juju.