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He remained quiet.
I kept my silence, hoping he just needed more time to form his thoughts.
“The last time I dropped my guard, my father butchered my family. If my brother is standing behind me, I never look because I don’t need to. He has my back—through and through. With my brother, I’m never anything short of honest, sharing every thought that comes into my mind. My guard has never been raised. And then he does all these things…and now my guard is up. It’s a shitty feeling.”
“Magnus would never hurt you. He would have resorted to that already if that were his intention. It’s not. He’s always had your back—even now. He’s just ready to move on from your past quicker than you are. It’s not personal.”
Fender didn’t look at me. His eyes remained focused, replaying conversations that I never witnessed. “Did you get your dress?”
The change in subject threw me off for a moment. “My wedding dress?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah…it was dropped off yesterday.” It had been custom made by Valentino, and the designer had come to take my measurements and create the dress for me. When it was delivered, I’d nearly cried. Never in my life had I thought I’d wear a dress like that.
He turned his head and looked at me. “Marry me tomorrow.” His dark eyes bored into mine, like my only answer could be yes. The conversation about his brother was already old news.
“Yes—if Magnus and Raven are there.”
Disappointment flashed in his gaze. “It’s about us. Not them—”
“I’m not getting married without my sister there. And I’m not letting you get married without your brother.”
He inhaled an agitated breath. “That’s not going to happen, chérie—”
“Then you’re not going to marry me.”
His eyes shifted back and forth as he looked into mine, hostile.
“Marriage is about doing the right thing for the other person—always. You’d regret not having your brother there. So, we’ll wait until you’re ready.”
It was tense between us.
Fender was a man of few words, but those words were even rarer now.
He was angry with me, but there was no amount of anger that would drive us apart. He remained by my side day and night. He made love to me like he meant it. But there was noticeable distance between us throughout the day.
I stood by my decision—and I wouldn’t change it.
We sat together at the dining table in our bedroom, eating in silence. He didn’t reach for the scotch, though he clearly wanted to, respecting my wishes even when our relationship was strained.
There was nothing he wanted more than to me marry me.
Denying him was the best way to infuriate him.
A commotion sounded downstairs. Distant voices. Then Magnus’s loud voice reached us all the way upstairs because he screamed in duress. “Fender! Get your ass down here now!”
Fender moved so fast I barely processed what happened. He was out of his chair and at the door to the bedroom. He shouted back, just as heated, “Fuck off!” I’d never heard him yell with so much rage, project his voice so loudly.
It made me realize that even when he was angry with me, he was gentle. That even at our worst, he still showed me respect. I got out of my chair and pulled on a dress as Fender headed down the hallway to the stairs. It was my opportunity to smooth this over. Even an opportunity to convince Fender to change his mind.
Magnus screamed again. “Napoleon took the camp, and I’m the only survivor. So, get your motherfucking ass down here now.”
My dress was on, but I stilled. I knew exactly who Napoleon was. Fender had mentioned him a few times. I’d met him at a couple events. He was a new partner in Fender’s distribution network.
Magnus yelled again, lower this time because Fender must be at the top of the stairs. “He hit the camp with men and guns. Defeated us within an hour. He kept the prisoners and executed the guards. Raven and I escaped on horseback.”
“Oh thank god…” My hand gripped my chest, and I left the bedroom.
Fender’s footsteps sounded as he headed down the stairs. When he spoke, his tone was totally different. Calm. “This all just happened?”
Magnus’s voice mirrored his. “About eight hours ago. We got to my motorcycle at the house and drove straight here.”
I made it to the top of the stairs and looked at the three of them. Raven was in her work attire, standing slightly behind Magnus as she looked at Fender.
Fender didn’t know how to contain his anger, so he turned away and ran his hands over the stubble of his jawline. One hand was on his hip, and he paced in the entryway, his bare feet striking the tile with his movements.
I regarded my sister for a long time, feeling so much relief at the sight of her unharmed. It didn’t matter if every interaction we had resulted in fights and tears. Every time I saw her, it filled my heart with so much love. I moved down the stairs quickly and beelined straight for her. My arms encircled her, and I gripped her hard, felt her clutch me in return. “Are you okay?” I squeezed her, never wanting to let go.
