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“I can,” my assistant puts in, raising her glass to me.
“Corinne and I agreed to have dinner, which everyone on social media saw,” I drawl. “We both admitted we’re in love. I popped the question…and here we are.”
The room is silent for a nerve-racking moment before claps and hearty cheers erupt. We answer a few more questions about where we’ll be living—here in Maui—and when we plan to get married—we haven’t set a date yet—when my brother Evan pipes up. Usually, he’s quiet at gatherings like this. He’s not a social creature…but he’s a very inquisitive one.
“What is it you love about each other above all others?”
I slide a glance at Corinne.
She casts a wide-eyed stare at me and swallows. “Um…”
Shit. Evan doesn’t mean to be combative, but his question is a broadside to our bow. If I don’t answer fast, we’ll go down like the Titanic. “Corinne is thoughtful, always trying to see everyone’s side of an argument and find common ground. She’s kind. When I met her at her hotel a couple of days ago to talk, she encountered an elderly man who was lost. She didn’t just walk by. She cleaned his glasses, calmed him down, and helped him to his room. She’s passionate about the things and people who are important to her. She’ll never do anything halfway—not being a friend or a wife or a mother. She will be there for those she loves every moment of every day. For me, other women just don’t compare anymore. I can’t picture my life with anyone else.” I smile. “She makes me want to be a better man.”
“Everything you said about my sister is true, but she can’t make you into something you’ll never be.”
That fucking voice. I really hope like hell I’m hallucinating, but when I look up…no.
The crowd gasps. People turn.
Parker Emerson stands in the middle of my brother’s living room, glaring daggers at me.
Automatically, I slide Corinne behind me, sandwiching her between my body and the dining room table. “Get out. You’re not welcome here.”
Corinne’s brother prowls closer. He hasn’t changed much. He’s still got artfully mussed hair, still wearing designer glasses, still dressed in clothes that belong more on a golf course than on a hipster, and he still has a babyface that cons suckers into feeling sorry for him.
“Let go of my sister, you son of a bitch.”
“That’s not happening. We’re engaged. Nothing you say or do will change that.”
“So the internet wasn’t trolling me?”
I hold up Corinne’s left hand. “No.”
Parker’s face contorts in fury. “My phone started blowing up. It’s all over the news.” His eyes narrow on me. “You really think I’d ever let you call my little sister your wife? Of course, that presumes you could even keep your dick out of other women long enough to say I do.”
“Parker!” Corinne rebukes.
“I don’t know how he sweet-talked you into believing he deserves you, but he’s the bastard son of a criminal. He came from nothing. And he’ll always be nothing because he has no scruples.”
“You want to talk about scruples?” I growl. “You and I both know what really happened. I told your sister, too.”
“Your version of the truth is garbage.” He scoffs, looking me up and down. “You may have money now, but you’re garbage. You obviously tricked her into saying yes to your proposal. You fed her lies, and you bought her.”
It takes all my restraint not to punch this asshole. “Are you insinuating your sister is a whore? If you are, that makes you the douchebag. Corinne is sweet and loving. She can’t be bought. With the way you’re insulting her, it’s no wonder she would rather be with me.”
Parker draws up. “Don’t twist my words. I meant that Corinne isn’t worldly. She couldn’t have known you would use your money to deceive her so you could try to stop me from speaking the truth. My sister is innocent.” He slants a glance over to Corinne, then back at me, his accusation heavy. “Or she was.”
Behind me, she lets out an embarrassed gasp. Screw punching him; I want to kill him. “Get out. Now. Or I swear to fuck I will smash your face black and blue and I will relish every second.”
“Because bullies like you enjoy hurting others.” He stares at his sister again. “Don’t you see the kind of man he is?”
At the head of the table, Maxon stands. “You need to go. This is a private party on private property, and you’re trespassing.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
“Maxon Reed. I own this place. I also happen to be Xavian’s brother, and I want you gone.”
Parker opens his mouth. Before he can spout off to Maxon, Corinne pushes past me.
I grab her arm to pull her back. I don’t want her anywhere near her brother. “Princess…”
