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He’d managed to make every holiday special, which I hadn’t realized until much later was really because of my mother’s influence. I’d never realized how normal she’d made it for us, even after being turned into what I’d called a prison all those years ago. I would never allow my child to feel as if they weren’t wanted or were being used as pawns.
I hadn’t thought about having kids until my father had started his crusade to find me a wife. Now that I was about to have one, it seemed every emotion and thought I’d experienced years before had been replaced with uncertainty. That was all because of a feisty woman who’d questioned everything.
After giving a short knock, my mother answered the door. Her smile could brighten any room, especially today.
“My boy is getting married.” She threw her arms around me, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I guess Pops didn’t tell you the circumstances?”
She eased back, lifting a single one of her perfect eyebrows. “You seem to forget who you’re talking to. Your father can’t keep anything from me.”
“Then this isn’t about love.”
After pressing her hand on my shirt, she slowly lifted her gaze. “I can already tell it’s a match made in heaven.”
“Uh-huh. Then you have a jaded view of heaven, Mom.”
“Don’t backtalk your mother. Seriously. I don’t need to know the circumstances, but I will give you a piece of advice. Treat her with respect. If you want to enjoy the life you’re going to build together, then you must start out with that as well as trust.”
“Mama, I mean no disrespect, but my relationship wasn’t born out of a fairytale.”
“And I wasn’t born yesterday. You can make it work. There’s no perfect relationship.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“See that you do. Your father, brother, and sister are waiting in his office.” She didn’t bother closing the door behind me, knowing I’d do it for her. She seemed happier than normal today. Then I remembered it was my parents’ anniversary. I’d forgotten all about it until now.
I heard another car and waited as Tristen parked and climbed out of the vehicle, instantly removing his sunglasses.
“Any issues?” I asked.
His sneer was a clear indication Jade would continue to push everyone’s buttons. “She asks a lot of questions and… Zane is happy to oblige with answers.”
There would always be bad blood between them even if Zane hadn’t truly been responsible for the woman’s death. She’d done her best to betray my organization, which I couldn’t allow. That hadn’t stopped Tristen from longing to seek revenge. Exhaling, I realized I’d trained the man well. “Zane knows the rules, Tristen. What did you find out about Jade’s background?”
“I’m expecting a call at any minute.”
“Let’s hope your connection managed to find some answers. Come on.”
As we walked into his office, I noticed Danika handing Mom a gift. I was a bad son. I couldn’t imagine the kind of man I’d be as a husband and father.
Tristen made himself at home as he usually did, easing onto one of the chairs in the room. He had no family to speak of, invited to almost every family event. My father had jokingly called him the third son. There were times Tristen’s familiar stance got on my nerves. I’d heard his father was as brutal as Zane’s, but I hadn’t asked questions. We weren’t that kind of friends.
“I hope you love it, Mama. Danny and I picked it out together. Didn’t we, brother of mine?” Danika gave my brother a hard look, which let me know he’d had nothing to do with the gift. Women were so much better at remembering important dates.
“I’m certain I’ll love it,” our mother said as she gazed lovingly at our father before moving to the sofa.
“There you are. We were beginning to wonder,” Pops said as he lifted his head. Lately, he’d been doing nothing but scowl, but when he was around our mother, his entire demeanor was different. “Tristen. What the hell happened to you?”
“Let’s just say your son and I got into a disagreement,” Tristen said then threw me a look. The entire situation was eating at him as much as it was with me. However, he was continually crossing lines of respect. Something else had to be wrong.
“Yes, Tristen often opens his mouth without thinking. And I’m late because I had a few business things to take care of.” I moved further in, not surprised when Danika flew toward me, giving me the same endearing hug.
“What’s she like?” she asked, far too much eagerness in her voice. “Your fiancée? Isn’t that what the two of you were fighting about? Tristen doesn’t like the idea of keeping her and you refuse to listen.” She’d had a way of discovering whatever information she wanted since she was knee high. She winked as she glanced at me, loving the adversity.
“Yes, brother. Do tell what we can expect,” Daniel said, lifting whatever drink he was having, his eyes twinkling from mischief.
“It would see no one can keep a secret in this family,” I told him then headed for the bar. While I’d love this to be nothing more than a celebration, there was far too much to lose.
