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“It’s not as fancy as it sounds. My aunt is distantly related to the second lady.” Blake lifted his shoulder.
Then Ward asked him a question he hadn’t been expecting. Perhaps it was appropriate given their families were merging due to their marriage, but there was something in his tone that set off warning bells.
Especially in light of her reaction.
“Is your mother here?”
Blake held the man’s stare for a short moment. Then shook his head. “Not yet.”
He nodded, tossed back the remainder of his whisky, then after staring at his shoes for a few seconds, lifted his eyes to Blake’s.
“You should know I once knew your mother.”
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TWO HOURS IT TOOK FORhis mother to show up.
Bella had asked if he knew.
“No, I didn’t fucking know.” He growled then apologized, pulling her into his side. “You were there at dinner. She dropped her glass and proceeded to get drunk.”
“Maybe she forgot,” Bella said, chewing her lip.
She hadn’t forgotten. Blake had asked his mom if Ward was his father and she had said no. But she’d conveniently left off the part about already knowing the man.
Why?
After Ward’s surprising announcement, all of them had stared at him and then begun asking questions.
All of them.
Knox, Atlas, Levi, Bella, and Blake.
“She’s an old acquaintance. I just thought I would forewarn you,” Ward replied, focusing on Bella, and then glancing at him.
Acquaintance my ass.
So two hours later, when Blake spotted his mom walking in and accepting a glass of Cristal, he walked over and kissed her cheek.
“Late to your own son’s engagement party, Mom. That’s classy.”
“I’m sorry. I was feeling ill,” Samantha Dufort replied, chugging on the champagne.
“Well, we are about to start the speeches, so follow me. I have someone I want you to meet.”
Meet again.
Her feet suddenly became superglued to the carpet, and she looked like she was going to throw up.
What the hell.
Jacob, who was standing a few feet away, was frowning at her, then shot Blake a look. Maybe he shouldn’t do this. Guilt sliced through him.
Just as he was about to redirect and lead her over to the Dufort crew she seemed to change before their eyes.
“Let’s go,” she said, drawing in a deep breath and tossing back the remainder of her Cristal.
Almost soldier-like as she marched beside him, they walked over to the Montgomery group.
