Page 96 of Vicious Kingdom

“Why are you crying, Anna?” I murmured, instantly hating myself for hurting her.

“I’m just so…happy.”

No lies, no manipulation. Just a raw confession. I bent over her, bringing our foreheads together.So am I, little one. Damn me, so am I.

***

Standing on the flagstone patio of the Providence Club, guests mingled around us. The great white tent pitched on the lawn was set with finger food, and guests grazed below, picnicking with their plates and drinks.

“Well, this is…something,” Mrs. Hertz grumbled, swooping into our space.

Annaliese sighed softly, quiet enough for my ears alone. “It’s a simple wedding, Mom. Exactly whatIwanted.”

“The Grand Ballroom was available next month. I don’t see why you couldn’t wait,” she insisted. “You could at least serve a proper meal in the Lodge. A picnic screams cheap.”

“Cheap?” I’d heard enough. I took a calculated step toward my mother-in-law. “You think I’m cheap, ma’am?”

The woman faltered as if realizing for the first time that I was there.

“That’s not what I meant—”

“That’s what you said.” The bite in my words made her wince.

“There’s Margot Preston, I must see how she’s doing,” Anna’s mother deflected. In a cloud of silk and toxic perfume, she whirled around and fled.

I sucked in a sharp breath. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t nice.”

Annaliese snorted. “It was fucking perfect.”

Looking down at my bride, a ghost of a smile played on my lips. “You’re happy.”

She murmured in agreement. “And you? I know you didn’t…volunteer for this.”

My hand, which had firmly been planted on her waist, tightened. “I’m here. We’ll forget how it happened, because that doesn’t matter.”

It did matter, but seeing the way she looked at me, I was confident the little white lie was the right thing to say. Her cheeks flushed with color, eyes dazed with wonder. She wasperfect. I considered kissing her again, just to show the crowd of jackals that I was a man consumed by desire for his bride.

And let no one suspect the war raging beneath my skin, the doubt gnawing at my certainty.

“Such a beautiful afternoon,” a jolly voice rumbled, breaking the spell.

Annaliese tore her gaze away and gave the bastard a smile. “Thank you, Uncle! It is, isn’t it?”

“I’m so happy for you, Anna.” Her uncle stepped forward, ready to embrace his niece.

I angled her away.

No one was stealing her from me. Not even a relative offering sincere displays.

“And congratulations to you, Mr. Baldwin!” the uncle boomed, unfazed by my rudeness.

I gave him a clipped nod.

“Jonatan! Come here, welcome our newest member of the family.” The uncle snapped his fingers.

Crawling out of the crowd, the cousin ambled over, arm linked with a redhead in a skintight dress. The suit was custom made, of the finest material. It fit his personality about as well as the wrinkled skin of a possum.

“Congratulations.” The single word came out as a sneer.