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Edward nods. "Thanks."
"Just because you’re married and fulfilling the terms of Arthur’s agreement doesn’t mean I accept you as the CEO."
Silence descends as, one-by-one, people stop talking and train their attention on the exchange.
G-Pa slowly releases my hands. He looks between the two half-brothers but doesn’t say anything. Apparently, he wants to see how this exchange will proceed.
Knox shoves his hand in his pocket. "I won’t make it easy for you during your honeymoon, either."
"There is no honeymoon," Edward drawls.
G-Pa stiffens.
Gio gasps.
I’m not sure what I expected, but I think a part of me, somewhere, assumed there’d be a honeymoon. Isn’t that what people do when they get married? But this is a fake wedding. And that’s my fake husband. Let's ignore that he kissed me so I felt it all the way to my toes; it was all pretense.
Knox looks taken aback. "No honeymoon, huh?"
G-Pa looks at Edward with something like suspicion in his eyes. "You’re not taking your wife for a honeymoon?" His forehead furrows.
"I’m the newly appointed CEO. I can’t take time away from the job."
"Don’t forget, you continue to stay CEO only if you consummate the marriage," G-Pa snaps.
"What?" Edward’s usual mask-like features unwind enough for the shock to show in his eyes.
"What?" I squeak.
"Why do you seem surprised?" G-Pa looks at Edward steadily. "Were you planning otherwise?"
"I’m surprised because I didn’t expect my grandfather to interfere in my personal life to this extent."
"Welcome to the family," Knox says drily. Then he steps toward me. "I assume it’s okay to kiss the bride?"
Without waiting for Edward’s response, he bends and kisses me, not on my lips, but so close, he might as well have.
There’s a growl from Edward, and the next minute, Knox is shoved away. "Get away from my wife." Edward wraps his arm about my shoulder and pulls me close.
Knox’s lips twist. It’s not a smile so much as a grimace. Then he glances at G-Pa. "You have your answer; he has feelings for her."
"Did you plan this?" Edward growls at G-Pa.
"Give me some credit." G-Pa scowls at Knox. "You will apologize to your brother—"
"Half-brother," Knox sneers.
"And his bride," G-Pa thunders.
Knox glowers at G-Pa, then clears all emotions from his features. When he looks at me, he’s wearing a mask that rivals Edward’s. They might protest at the fact they’re related, but clearly, they are, given the trait of masking emotions runs in the family.
"I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, Mirabelle." He smirks. "Though I’m not sorry I kissed you."
There’s a low snarl, then Edward shoots out his fist and catches Knox in the side of the jaw.
24
Edward
