Mason’s grip on her waist tightened, pulling her close. His voice dropped to a dangerous low. "Don’t think saying all this will change anything. They can’t control me."

His words were cold, laced with frustration, but Aurora didn’t back down. Instead, she pushed him further.

"If you were really as powerful as you think, we wouldn’t be here right now. We’d already be at City Hall getting our marriage license." She locked eyes with him. "Face it, Mason. ...