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“What’s going on?”
I approach the table and put a possessive hand on Bellamy’s shoulder as Owen towers over. I walked in during his speech, and it takes every ounce of willpower I possess to not rip the mic from his hands and bash him over the head with it. There was nothing sincere about his congratulations, but his declaration of love came from the heart.
“Nothing. Owen was just leaving,” Bellamy insists.
“It sounds like that might be a good idea.”
Owen stares at her a moment longer and sets the microphone down.
When he’s gone, I sit and turn my chair so I’m facing her. “Tell me what that was. Is he into you?”
She drops her head.
“How long?” I ask, barely controlled anger simmering in my tone. “How fucking long, Bellamy?”
“Almost seven years,” she whispers. “It started during college.”
Jesus Christ. That’s not the answer I was expecting.
“Well, don’t get any ideas about continuing that relationship once we’re married.”
Her mouth drops open. “I would never. He knows it’s over. It’s just hard. We’re in love. That can’t be turned off in an instant.”
Great. Not only is our marriage arranged, it’s a complete and total lie because she’s in love with my childhood best friend. If there weren’t so much riding on this, I would call the whole thing off or at least postpone it until I can woo her. Unfortunately, I’ll have to win her over after the paperwork is signed.
“I’m here, Tobias. That should count for something,” she murmurs.
She’s right. I won’t deny her that. If she’d wanted to, she had the means to refuse me. It would have made her family’s lives hell though, and she’s too good a person for that.
But I’m irritated enough that it’s best I don’t speak, so I give her a curt nod and turn back to face the rest of our guests.
Dinner is painfully long, and we get to do it all again tomorrow after the wedding. But it’s the way things are in our family. No less than three major business deals will be conducted over the course of our marriage celebration.
When dessert has been served, I am no longer able to sit there stewing over Owen and my fiancée, I stand and hold my hand out to Bellamy. “Come. There are people you need to meet.”
There is no hesitation, and I let that soothe some of the anger still simmering. She’s here with me, and tomorrow she’ll be my wife.
We make our way around the room, and I introduce her to family, friends, and business partners.
“Are you done parading me around like a show horse?” she asks after the fifth introduction. My future bride has spunk, I’ll give her that.
“One more stop,” I say, not bothering to deny what I’m doing. It’s important for all the families I work with to recognize that she’s mine and she’s off limits. It also solidifies that we are firmly aligned with the Harper family.
We approach the bar where my final introduction of the evening is sitting. The Trentini family sent representatives this weekend. I was expecting Danny. Instead, they sent a man named Lorenzo. I’m unfamiliar with him, but we’re looking for a connection in Chicago, and the Trentinis are the only way to get that.
“Tobias Hunt,” I say, offering the man my hand.
He ignores me and stands, offering his hand to Bellamy instead.
“Ms. Harper. It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from my cousin.”
I frown. “And who is this cousin?”
“Matteo. Danny’s brother.”
I stare at my fiancée with a raised eyebrow. “You know Matteo Trentini?”
She chews her lip as if deciding whether or not to tell me the truth. “I met him in college. We became friends.”
