Doomsday Brethren, Book 04: Entice Me at Twilight Read Online Free Page A

mother’s penchant for dressing her like a doll, that said something. But Felicia knew Mason liked her not only for her exterior, but for
her
.
    Everything was perfect, except her niggling anxiety. What if marriage changed everything between them?
    “Uh oh. You’ve gone quiet on me. Thinking of Deirdre, darling? Wishing she could be here?”
    That, too. Felicia clutched the locket she wore about her neck. For nearly an hour this morning, she’d stared at her sister’s picture tucked inside, barely able to hold hot tears at bay. She’d half-heartedly chosen an old school chum as her maid of honor, but Deirdre’s absence created a gaping hole in Felicia’s chest. She missed her sister every day, but today… Felicia felt as if she bled grief. If she admitted that, however, Mason would only worry.
    “I’m fine. See?” She flashed her dimples at him, doing her best to shove her abyss of sadness aside.
    He frowned. “That’s not genuine.”
    Felicia sighed. Mason knew her too well. “I’m trying. It’s just that … not having her here makes everything feel incomplete.”
    “It’s natural to miss her.”
    “Yes. But I’m angry. Her absence is a black spot. Deirdre should be here, and she chose not to be.”
    “You feel abandoned. I know. You have good cause.” Cupping her cheek, he murmured, “Focus on us, on our future. We’re going to be happy.”
    “Yessir.” She sent him a mock salute, trying to lighten the mood. “If I didn’t say so, you look stunning.”
    He chuckled. “Thank you. I should go. If Mum knew I’d seen you before the wedding, she would prattle on about bad luck and all that.”
    “Our friendship is much too thick for us to worry about such things.”
    He’d supported her through uni after Deirdre’s shocking death. With her sister gone, Felicia had faltered, drowning in grief, and she’d lost her scholarship. Mason had arrived, a knight in a white sedan, brought Chinese takeout, and helped her pick up the pieces of her life. After that, they’d gone from close to inseparable.
    Now all that stood between them and a comfortable tomorrow was a short jaunt up the aisle in the windowed chapel overlooking the Duke of Hurstgrove’s extensive garden, and an exchange of vows as the New Year rang in. In theory, a piece of cake.
    But what if things weren’t that simple?
    “We are very close.” Mason squeezed her hand, his gaze direct—disconcertingly so. “Full house, by the way.”
    Felicia groaned, withdrawing her hand and pressing it to her stomach. “I’m so nervous.”
    He tensed. “About marrying me?”
    She shouldn’t be. Good looking, good family, good salary. Her parents, had they lived, would have approved of everything about tonight, even down to the Alita Graham gown. Its modest elegance and the satin ribbon about her waist hinted of a bygone era that fit the wedding’s historic location. The three-quarter sleeves suited the late December date. But she couldn’t stop wondering if committing herself, even to her best friend, was really a good idea. After what Deirdre had endured, what if she was making a mistake?
    No. It was just nerves and sorrow. She had to put thembehind her.
    “About tripping!” She forced a grin. “This train will likely be the death of me. Why didn’t we elope?”
    Mason relaxed and grinned. “Because Simon shows no signs of marrying soon, and my mother wanted at least one wedding to organize. Don’t worry. You’ll be brilliant.”
    As he gave her one of those lazy smiles she knew had helped him shag his way through uni, she thanked God it didn’t impact her. Then she realized that he wasn’t heading toward the door. Instead, he sauntered closer to her, and something in his eyes warmed, darkening in a way she’d never seen.
    “Stop frowning, darling. You’ll be fine.
We’ll
be fine.” The suddenly deep tone of his whisper shivered down her spine.
    That I’ve-had-a-night-of-rough-sex voice was Mason’s?
    Her eyes widened. Dread