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I can’t sit through an entire meal pretending I’m a blushing bride-to-be. I can’t.
“I don’t like him,” Teague said. “You’re a challenge? What kind of answer is that?”
Lincoln pried the champagne flute from my fingers. “You don’t have to marry him.”
I snorted incredulously. “And how do you propose I avoid it?”
Damn it, Beau. You’re supposed to act like this is what you want.
Lincoln squeezed his eyes shut as if in pain. “I’ll take care of this.”
“No,” I said quickly.
Both of them looked at me with furrowed brows.
“You don’t want to marry that guy.” Teague pointed his thumb in the direction of the dining room. “At least have the decency not to lie to us.”
“I do want to marry him.” Even I didn’t believe me. That was the most unconvincing declaration in the history of declarations.
“You need to get out of this house. He’s—”
“Are my children going to join us for dinner? Or continue to make me look as if I’m not at the helm of this family?”
Father was a looming presence. Maybe his hand had never tightened around my throat physically, but even from across the room, it felt as if it was.
“She’s not marrying him.” Lincoln stood closer to me, like a shield.
“He’s not even close to good enough for her.” Teague flanked my other side.
“Out of anyone, I’d have expected the two of you to respect your sister’s judgment.” He put his hands in his pockets. “I see you’re determined to keep making decisions on her behalf.”
“Beau is perfectly capable of deciding what’s best.”
I appreciated Lincoln’s confidence in me. He’d not only proven he believed that with his words, but by trusting my judgment when it came to important business deals. Ones he could’ve very easily taken the lead.
With my brothers on each side of me like a protective wall, it gave me a confidence that we were stronger than our father. That maybe we were in control after all.
“You’rethe one who thinks he’s dictator of the world,” Teague said.
“I’m the one who’s looking out for Beau’s best interest by securing a future for her and her offspring.”
“Are you pregnant?” Teague asked incredulously.
“No,” I said as if he’d lost his mind.
I shuddered at the thought of Alex touching me, let alone bearing his children.
Father smiled though it held no warmth. If anything, it chilled me to the bone.
“The two of you should be cheerleading this wedding. Do you not both want Beau back in New York?”
“Not if it isn’t what you want,” Teague said quietly, his focus solely on me.
Lincoln gave nothing away, but his stance had always been clear. He’d prefer I be within his watchful eyes.
“I have to say, I’ve been surprised she hasn’t been more generous of her time with her brothers, especially if it’s so limited before her return to London.” Father leaned on the doorframe, cool as always. Like he was the all-knowing and we were simply pawns in his game.
Teague glared. “Maybe if you didn’t work her to the bone—”
