ork City Hall. Several government officials in tailored suits were already s

to the night. An official immediately lunged forward, tilting an umbr

y the moment her foot hit the wet concrete. She stumbled

He had stepped back instinctively, his severe germaphobia flaring at the sight of the muddy

ugly look," Ernest said coldly, keeping a measure

ve, brightly lit office. The clerks were standing at attenti

ared at the New York State marriage license in front

his name on the groom's line. His handwriting was aggre

ill warm from his fingers. She took a deep breath,

s. A loud clack echoed in the room. Two gold-embos

rdity of the situation made her dizzy. She was legally marrie

since her escape-now sitting on the edge of the desk-

r ID read

al blow to Kaylee's stomach. She fli

fice. Ernest frowned. His cold eyes shifted

est reached over her shoulder, his hand shielded by a silk handkerchief as he snatched the device from the desk, his expression darkening. Wit

lasted through the room. "You lit

d to cover the speaker with her hands, feeling comp

ta spat through the phone. "You have thi

ouldn't

will never see that crystal box your dead mother le

ge exploded in her chest. "Don't touch my m

"Then get back here and put the dress on.

lease," she begged, her voice breaking. "Tak

ly looked down at their shoes.

reezing. Ernest's face darkened with a terr

er Kaylee's shoulder, and snatched t

ce was a low, demonic whisper that commande

"Who the hell is this?! Put that

nd call button. He tossed the phone back o

tears. He grabbed a tissue from the box on the

ded. "Mrs. Blackwell does

ard the exit. He didn't look back as

eady. We are going to