Lethal Wedding Read online

  Lethal Wedding

  Charlotte Byrd

  Contents

  About Lethal Wedding (Wedlocked Trilogy Book 2)

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  About Charlotte Byrd

  Also by Charlotte Byrd

  1. Henry

  2. Henry

  3. Aurora

  4. Aurora

  5. Aurora

  6. Aurora

  7. Henry

  8. Aurora

  9. Henry

  10. Henry

  11. Aurora

  12. Aurora

  13. Aurora

  14. Aurora

  15. Aurora

  16. Henry

  17. Henry

  18. Henry

  19. Aurora

  20. Aurora

  21. Henry

  22. Henry

  23. Henry

  24. Henry

  25. Henry

  26. Henry

  27. Aurora

  28. Henry

  29. Aurora

  30. Aurora

  31. Aurora

  32. Henry

  Connect with Charlotte Byrd

  Also by Charlotte Byrd

  About Charlotte Byrd

  Copyright © 2020 by Charlotte Byrd, LLC.

  All rights reserved.

  Proofreaders:

  Renee Waring, Guardian Proofreading Services, https://www.facebook.com/GuardianProofreadingServices

  Julie Deaton, Deaton Author Services, https://www.facebook.com/jdproofs/

  Cover Design: Charlotte Byrd

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a word of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Visit my website at www.charlotte-byrd.com

  * * *

  Identifiers

  ISBN (e-book): 978-1-63225-111-4

  ISBN (paperback): 978-1-63225-112-1

  Created with Vellum

  About Lethal Wedding (Wedlocked Trilogy Book 2)

  To save my father’s life and our family’s legacy, I have to marry a cruel man who wants me only as a trophy.

  * * *

  I thought Franklin Parks was a bad man before, but now I know he’s a monster.

  * * *

  To survive, I will have to beat him at his own game. But then Henry Asher, my one and only love, comes back into my life and things get a lot more complicated.

  * * *

  Franklin is not only my fiancé but also Henry’s boss, and he will stop at nothing to get everything he wants…

  * * *

  Henry Asher

  * * *

  I was a fool to let her go. Now, I’ll have to do everything to get her back…

  * * *

  Aurora never thought I could be a rich dirtbag who would do anything to get what he wants but I am proving her wrong.

  * * *

  To help her, I had to teach myself a few things.

  * * *

  To protect her, I had to become my worst enemy.

  * * *

  To save her, I will have to do the unthinkable.

  * * *

  The problem is that she doesn’t want saving. She has her own plans. But the wedding is approaching and time is running out…

  * * *

  Read the SECOND book to the addictive WEDLOCKED series by bestselling author Charlotte Byrd.

  What readers are saying about Charlotte Byrd:

  * * *

  “This book/series is addictive! Super hot and steamy, intense with twists and turns in the plot that you just won't see coming…” Amazon review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “This series is just so intense and delicious. The stunning twists, raw emotions and nerve wracking tension just keep increasing as each book in this enticing series unfolds. I am so invested in Nicholas and Olivia. These characters really worm their way into your heart, while also totally consuming your mind. The gripping story quickly captivates and pulls you back into this couple's world.” Amazon review ★★★★★

  * * *

  "Extremely captivating, sexy, steamy, intriguing, and intense!” ★★★★★

  * * *

  "Addictive and impossible to put down.” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “I can’t get enough of the turmoil, lust, love, drama and secrets!” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Fast-paced romantic suspense filled twists and turns, danger, betrayal and so much more.” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Decadent, delicious, & dangerously addictive!” ★★★★★

  Praise for Charlotte Byrd

  “BEST AUTHOR YET! Charlotte has done it again! There is a reason she is an amazing author and she continues to prove it! I was definitely not disappointed in this series!!” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “LOVE!!! I loved this book and the whole series!!! I just wish it didn't have to end. I am definitely a fan for life!!! ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Extremely captivating, sexy, steamy, intriguing, and intense!” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Addictive and impossible to put down.” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “What a magnificent story from the 1st book through book 6 it never slowed down always surprising the reader in one way or the other. Nicholas and Olive's paths crossed in a most unorthodox way and that's how their story begins it's exhilarating with that nail biting suspense that keeps you riding on the edge the whole series. You'll love it!” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “What is Love Worth. This is a great epic ending to this series. Nicholas and Olive have a deep connection and the mystery surrounding the deaths of the people he is accused of murdering is to be read. Olive is one strong woman with deep convictions. The twists, angst, confusion is all put together to make this worthwhile read.” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Fast-paced romantic suspense filled with twists and turns, danger, betrayal, and so much more.” ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Decadent, delicious, & dangerously addictive!” - Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Titillation so masterfully woven, no reader can resist its pull. A MUST-BUY!” - Bobbi Koe, Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Captivating!” - Crystal Jones, Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Sexy, secretive, pulsating chemistry…” - Mrs. K, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Charlotte Byrd is a brilliant writer. I've read loads and I've laughed and cried. She writes a balanced book with brilliant characters. Well done!” -Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Hot, steamy, and a great storyline.” - Christine Reese ★★★★★

  * * *

  “My oh my....Charlotte has made me a fan for life.” - JJ, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

  * * *

  “Wow. Just wow. Charlotte Byrd leaves me speechless and humble… It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. Once you pick it up, you won't put it
down.” - Amazon Review ★★★★★

  * * *

  “ Intrigue, lust, and great characters...what more could you ask for?!” - Dragonfly Lady ★★★★★

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  About Charlotte Byrd

  Charlotte Byrd is the bestselling author of romantic suspense novels. She has sold over 600,000 books and has been translated into five languages.

  She lives near Palm Springs, California with her husband, son, and a toy Australian Shepherd. Charlotte is addicted to books and Netflix and she loves hot weather and crystal blue water.

  Write her here:

  [email protected]

  Check out her books here:

  www.charlotte-byrd.com

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  Also by Charlotte Byrd

  All books are available at ALL major retailers! If you can’t find it, please email me at [email protected]

  * * *

  Wedlocked Trilogy

  Dangerous Engagement

  Lethal Wedding

  Fatal Wedding

  * * *

  Tell me Series

  Tell Me to Stop

  Tell Me to Go

  Tell Me to Stay

  Tell Me to Run

  Tell Me to Fight

  Tell Me to Lie

  * * *

  Tangled Series

  Tangled up in Ice

  Tangled up in Pain

  Tangled up in Lace

  Tangled up in Hate

  Tangled up in Love

  * * *

  Black Series

  Black Edge

  Black Rules

  Black Bounds

  Black Contract

  Black Limit

  Lavish Trilogy

  Lavish Lies

  Lavish Betrayal

  Lavish Obsession

  Standalone Novels

  Debt

  Offer

  Unknown

  Dressing Mr. Dalton

  1

  Henry

  I watch her from afar. I follow her down the street.

  I see her laughing, tossing her hair back. She smiles and disappears around the corner.

  I see her moments later with her face buried in her phone. She's reading my message but she's not replying.

  I have called her a number of times, too many to count. I don't want to be a stalker and yet here I am, watching her, following her, forcing myself into her world.

  I know that what I am doing is wrong, but I can't stop it.

  I want her back.

  I need her back.

  My life doesn't make sense without her.

  Does hers make sense without me?

  When Aurora stops outside a store, she stands with her arms crossed peering at the books behind the glass. Tempted to approach her, I imagine myself walking up to her and giving her a hug and a kiss as if she were still mine.

  I press my fingertips into my palms and notice the whites of my knuckles. I take a deep breath even though my chest tightens along with my windpipe.

  The next breath is just as laborious, if not more so. It takes everything in me to pull myself away from her.

  Aurora doesn't know that I am in New York because I shouldn't be here.

  No one knows that I'm here. Not my editor, not my boss, not my boss's boss. I flew here from Kentucky on my own dime and I have to be back at LaGuardia airport tonight.

  That's all the time that I have to figure out what to do, or perhaps what not to do. When I got the ticket, I thought that I would come here and find her and tell her that I love her and we should get back together. But watching her ignore my calls and my texts, I don't think I have the strength to face a rejection face-to-face.

  Aurora and I had a fight, one of many, which resulted from distance and pain and loneliness. We let our frustrations push us apart, and I regret ever saying that I wanted to take a break.

  At first, she was upset. She called me a few times and I let those calls go to voice mail.

  When it was my turn to call, it was her turn to push me away.

  I'd like to say that I don't believe in regrets because it's a cool thing to say.

  It's as if in today's world, we should all embrace every stupid thing that we have ever done just because these moments are the ones that have ’made you the person that you are today’.

  But the truth is that I don't believe in any of that.

  It's bullshit.

  Not everything that I have ever done contributed to me becoming a better person. Many things were just fucked up and unnecessary and plain old mistakes that I wish I could take back.

  Forgetting about Aurora's graduation, focusing too much on my work, and then telling her that I'm tired of us even though at that moment, I was just tired, are the mistakes that I wish I could take back.

  Saying those words to her set everything in motion and now there is no going back.

  I watch Aurora disappear into the bookstore and wish more than anything that I could follow her.

  Yesterday, I thought that I would.

  I thought that I would get off that plane and go straight to her house and tell her everything that I have been feeling ever since we broke up.

  But now, I can't bring myself to do it.

  It's not because I don't miss her. I miss her more than I have ever missed anyone.

  Without her in my life, I feel like a part of me is gone.

  If I were to suddenly lose a limb, I would probably miss it a lot less.

  I touch the door to the bookstore, running my fingers over its ornate design. I grab the handle and hold it open for a customer with her hair slicked back into a severe bun.

  I linger for a moment and then watch a customer walk out. She doesn't look up from her phone but gives me a brief nod, a thank you.

  Go inside, I say to myself, go inside or you'll regret this the same way you regret everything else.

  I take a deep breath and step over the threshold. I look for Aurora in the front near the registers and search for her through the aisles in the back.

  The further back I go the more disorganized everything gets. The aisles are all labeled but most of the books are miscategorized and some are shelved with their spines in. I walk past aisle after aisle searching for her, finally spotting her all the way in the back, in the romance section.

  Her shoulders move up and down with each breath as she turns the pages delicately. Holding the book up to her face, Aurora's nose is quite literally buried in it.

  "What are you doing?” she asks when I take a step and the floor makes a loud creaking sound.

  "I wanted to talk to you," I say.

  "So you followed me?"

  "No, no, I mean yes," I stumble.

  "Which is it?" Aurora cocks her head and narrows her eyes.

  "Can we talk?" I ask.

  "We are talking," she says.

  She knows perfectly well that that's not what I mean, I don't know how to help her get past this angry part so that she will hear me out.

  "You were supposed to be there," she says, walking around me and toward the register.

  "I know, I'm really sorry.” I rush after her. "I was just working on a story and I got really caught up with it."

  "I know that
you have this career that you are really passionate about, but I have my own life and my own drama and I thought that I could rely on my boyfriend to be there for me."

  "You can," I say.