“Your fiancé is out of his mind with his demands.”
“You wanted this. Did you really think it would cost you nothing?”
“Where did I go wrong with you, Roxanne? Stop rebelling with the black-dress shit. You’re my ticket to high society; don’t you dare fuck it up for me. Make your mother proud.”
I snap my head to him, my nostrils flaring. “Don’t you dare bring her into this.”
He snatches my arm. “You little?—”
“Drop your hand now, Victor,” Liam’s words cut through the air. “I told you already, you should watch how you talk to my wife. And if you touch her again, I will feed your hand to rats,” he says softly.
My father drops my arm, his face crimson red. “What did you say?”
My brothers crowd behind Liam.
“You heard me, and if you don’t want me to rescind the invitation to the club, you better accept that I havestandards. And if you want to play in high society, you better brush up on your manners.”
“Let’s take a few minutes,” Liam’s mother chirps. “Come, Victor, let’s have a digestif. Wedding preparations are awfully stressful.”
My father doesn’t look at me or Liam before he pushes past us, back inside, his sons stepping to the side. “Right, stressful as hell.”
Liam closes the door behind everyone, and we’re left alone. The air shifts. From dread to welcome. From mercurial to cordial. From cold to warm.
“I’m sorry about that. I know you can handle him. I just couldn’t help myself when I saw him grabbing you. Are you okay?” He touches my shoulders and runs his hands up and down my arms gently.
“Have you just apologized for defending me?”
“For not letting you defend yourself.”
My poor heart.
“How is it going in there?” I put my hands on his chest, The steady rhythm of his breath, the calm beat of his heart—it all grounds me. It feels like my safe harbor.
He groans. “I’ll need to take a CEO role.”
“Liam,” I whisper, “are you sure you want to continue this? You were so close to leaving the corporate life behind. Now you will be roped back into it.”
He pulls me into an embrace. “It’s okay. Whenyou’re my wife, you don’t have to worry about him manipulating you. And Tawny and Lottie will be safe.”
I wrap my arms around his waist. “But what about you?”
He kisses my forehead. “Don’t worry about that. Your father allowed me to hire my own team. And Nico stays on the board.”
“Okay, Nico is the most reasonable, so that should work well. But?—”
He puts his finger on my lips. “No buts. I can make my own decisions. Just like you make yours.”
What am I to say to that? This man is sacrificing his future to save mine. And I can’t stop him. Just like he doesn’t interfere with my decisions.
I hug him tighter.
He rests his head on my crown. “You will look great in a black gown.”
I snort, grateful for the reprieve. “I feel bad for ignoring your mom’s suggestions. I thought I would suffocate in there.”
“I don’t blame you.”
The contrast between him and my father hits me suddenly. He doesn’t see my behavior as difficult. I bury my face into his chest, letting the feelings claim my body.
