Chapter 82

Neal Patchett had been right in that at least. The pill was not bitter to swallow, but the water it had gone down with had been rancid. The only way to rid his pride of the aftereffects of the blackmail was to plan a suitable measure of justice for the man.

Dash did not want to ruin him completely. Neal was now family, but he would learn a necessary lesson about pride.

As Tess took the first step forward, all thoughts of vendettas and lessons faded from Dash’s mind. It filled with the primitive need to mate with his woman.

This woman.

Tess.

Her eyes were dark with conflicting emotions. It was the fear that kept him rooted, waiting for her to come to him. She was so beautiful in her cobalt blue silk gown. It swept the floor as she walked and it pleased him she had not opted for the traditional white for their wedding night.

He liked this indication of the fire within her. The