Marrying My Ex's Dangerous Billionaire Brother

His question hung in the air, absurd and electric.

Kit watched her, his expression unreadable. He wasn't mocking her. He was waiting, like a hunter who had cornered his prey and was simply waiting for the inevitable.

Her mind flashed with images: Austin's dismissive voice, Ivey's pathetic whimper, two years of canceled dates and broken promises, all for Ivey.

Humiliation was a tidal wave, and it washed away all reason.

She lifted her chin, her red-rimmed eyes locking with his. "Why?" she rasped.

Kit shrugged, a casual movement that was infuriatingly calm. "Because I dislike my brother. And you look like you need a partner in crime."

It was a flippant reason, but it was exactly what she needed to hear. Not pity. An alliance.

She scrubbed at her tears with the back of her hand, a raw, angry gesture. She took a deep, shuddering breath.

"Fine. Let's do it."

A slow, triumphant smirk spread across Kit's face. He took her hand. His was warm and strong, hers was ice-cold and trembling. He turned and led her back toward the doors of City Hall.

The same clerk from before saw them coming, her jaw literally dropping as she saw Josie holding hands with a different man.

Kit handled everything. He had all his documents, perfectly in order, as if he had been preparing for this very moment.

When the clerk asked if they were sure, Kit turned to Josie, his blue eyes searching hers for a final confirmation. In them, she saw no hint of a joke, only a strange, unnerving certainty.

She gave a single, sharp nod.

They signed their names on the crisp, official paper. As Josie's pen scratched out the final letter of her name, it felt like she was signing a contract with the devil.

The clerk stamped the documents with a heavy thud and pushed two copies of the marriage certificate toward them. "Congratulations," she said, her voice flat with disbelief.

Before Josie could even react, Kit scooped up both certificates, holding them tightly in his fist.

He glanced down at the names, then looked up at her, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He let out a low whistle.

"Well, hello there, wifey."

The word "wifey" was a bucket of ice water. The fog of rage cleared, replaced by a surge of pure, unadulterated panic.

"Give it back to me," she demanded, lunging for the papers. "This is a mistake. We need to get a divorce. Right now!"

Kit sidestepped her easily, tucking the certificates into the inside pocket of his t-shirt and patting it. "No take-backs. You said yes."

"Kit Montgomery, you tricked me!" she cried, pounding her fists against his chest. They landed with all the force of a kitten's paws.

He let her, the smirk never leaving his face.

He caught her wrists, his grip gentle but firm, and pulled her close. He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. "I didn't," he murmured, his breath hot against her skin. "You needed revenge. I'm just the weapon you chose. A good weapon doesn't allow its user to have second thoughts."

A shiver ran down her spine. This man was more dangerous than Austin could ever be.

She dropped her hands, defeated. "My parents are going to kill me."

"Let's worry about that later," Kit said, his tone light again. He released her wrists. "First, a celebratory meal for the newlyweds."

He grabbed her hand and pulled her, unresisting, toward his car.

Seated in the plush leather of the Bentley, she watched City Hall disappear behind them. It felt like a dream, a nightmare. She turned to the man beside her, his profile sharp and wild, so different from Austin's polished perfection.

"Kit, seriously," she pleaded. "This isn't funny. Let's just go back and file for an annulment."

He kept his eyes on the road. "In New York, an annulment requires proving fraud, duress, or incapacity. You were of sound mind, I didn't hold a gun to your head, and our marriage is, let's say, very much intended to be consummated. So, no."

His knowledge of the law was another shock. He was no simple playboy.

She sank back into her seat, the feeling of being trapped closing in on her.

"What have I done..." she whispered to the window.

Kit glanced at her, his eyes dark. "You just upgraded from a Ford to a Ferrari, baby. You should be celebrating."

The car stopped at a red light. His phone buzzed with a text. He looked at it, and a cold, sharp smile touched his lips.