The villain.
“Congratulations on your wedding,” Holden says as he reaches us, wearing a smirk as he runs his eyes over me. “It seems your groom has left you alone.”
“Bingo, ten bucks,” Brody whispers to me, then says louder, “I’m here, dear brother. She’s not alone at all.” He tips his martini at him.
Holden dismisses him with a veiled look, then turns to me. “And where’s your family, Emmy? Are you an orphan like Brody’s mother?”
“Bingo again,” Brody says as he lifts his glass.
I smile tightly at Holden. One thing I’ve learned is sometimes it’s best to confront a prickly issue before someone else does; that way, they’ll have no power over you. “I assumed you knew all about my family since you’ve kept a photographer outside my apartment. Yes, I grew up in the turmoil of domestic abuse, and in the end, my mother shot my father, then left us. That’s it. You won’t find much else about me.”
“You’ve got a backbone. Some women don’t.” His eyes dart to his wife as his lip curls in distaste.
“How vicious you are,” I say.
Holden smiles, although it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You’ll fit in well. Although I am concerned about how long you’ll last.”
A knot forms in my stomach.
He leans in too close, his lemony cologne wafting around me. “Be honest—what’s he giving you to marry him?”
“Sweet, sweet love,” I say as I put a hand over my heart.
His teeth flash. “There’s going to be a big story coming out—your lovers’ quarrel with Kian in Vegas, your mad dash to Arizona, then you stealing Graham’s car. We’ll add an eyewitness, of course, the clerk at the motel. Your past will be splashed around. In the end, it will convince everyone that Graham coerced you into marrying him.”
Brody stiffens next to me.
I laugh. “And when you say all that, all I hear is a Cinderella story about a girl who falls for the guy she meets after a horrible ex-boyfriend experience.”
“A random person stole my car and wrecked it,” Graham says tightly as he joins our group. He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my fingers as his eyes search my face. “Hello, darling. Is Holden bothering you?”
I can’t quite meet his gaze. “Hardly. Family is the same everywhere. Complicated.”
We’re saved from further conversation as Graham’s father quiets the room by clinking a spoon against his glass.
He smiles at everyone. “Thank you for coming tonight as we celebrate Emmy and Graham.” His eyes brush over me before landing on Graham. “Congratulations. I wish you both the very best in life and love.” He pauses, his throat moving as he seems to gather himself. “I wish with all my heart that your mother were here tonight. Cheers.”
“My turn,” Brody says as he clears his throat and raises his martini. “For my brother and Emmy, may their love be as big and wonderful as mine for Cas.”
Cas, who’s across the room with Mina, smiles brilliantly at him.
“I’m next,” Holden says dryly as he looks around the room before stopping on Divina. He raises his glass. “To Divina, for giving up Graham so he could find Emmy.”
Graham tenses next to me as a rumble of uncomfortable laughter spreads around the room.
Graham clears his throat and gazes down at me. “And finally, to my beautiful wife. Life gives you what you want when you least expect it. Darling, to you.”
And as everyone lifts their glasses to us, my eyes find Divina’s across the room, taking in her sour face. Yes, he was alone with her in that room, but I’ll think about that later.
Chapter 21
EMMY
I blink my eyes open to the darkness in the back seat of the Mercedes. My head throbs a little from the champagne that’s now worn off. Something warm is under my cheek, and I realize I’ve leaned over and fallen asleep in Graham’s lap.
The car is quiet as I slowly rise up, moving carefully so I don’t wake Graham. His head leans against the headrest, his chest rising in deep breaths.
I pause, taking in his features in the dim light. His wavy hair is a mess, spread out like a halo of softness on the seat. His eyes are closed, and his full lips are parted slightly. His chiseled cheekbones and strong jaw are relaxed. My attention goes to his hands, resting on either side of him. They’re big and strong, able to break and hurt, but my gut knows somehow that he’d never put them on me in anger.
I lean in closer to him, wishing I could freeze this moment forever, until I figure out exactly why I’m entranced by him.