I held out my hand. "Dalton Lancaster. How do you do?"
Madeline's brow crinkled when she frowned. It was not a good look on her Botoxed face. "Dalton Lancaster? How are you related to Andrew?"
Oh, I was going to love this.
"I'm his husband."
For just a moment, the shields in Madeline's eyes slipped, and I saw the pure venom in them. I would have been scared if I didn't have Andrew at my back, but I did, and I knew he'd never let anything happen to me.
"I know who you are," Madeline said. "Anatoli told me you might try something like this when he called me. I didn't believe it, of course. I don't know what you think you'll get out of playing happy family, but that money is mine, and I'll see you in court before I give up one red cent."
Andrew suddenly moved up beside me. "How do you know Anatoli Brasov, Madeline?"
"Andrew," Madeline started, her voice going softer, "why are we arguing about this? Let's just sit down and discuss it like adults. We don't even have to have our attorneys involved. I've got papers right here. If you'd just sign them—"
"Madeline!"
While Andrew confronted his ex-wife, I turned and motioned for Ivan. He was standing just a few feet behind us, along with everyone else. "You need to call the police and then restrain Andrew's ex-wife until they get here. I think she's been talking with Brasov."
Ivan gave a quick nod before saying something to his brother over his shoulder. Once he was done, he walked past me and Andrew and grabbed Madeline by the arm.
"Let go of me this instant," she shouted.
"Ma'am, you need to come with me," Ivan said. "I think the police would like to speak to you."
"I will do no such thing. Unhand me at once."
"You can come peacefully, or I can carry you out of here in front of all your friends. The choice is yours."
When Madeline swung her hand to hit Ivan, he simply picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder before walking away. Madeline screeched until they disappeared from sight.
"Holy crap," I whispered. "You married that?"
"I was young and stupid," Andrew said. "I've learned a lot since then."
"Better hope your second marriage goes better."
"Oh, it will." Andrew smiled as he turned toward me. "Like I said, I’ve learned a lot since then. I married up this time."
I grinned as I leaned into Andrew. "Yeah, you did."
I was going to make sure he never forgot it.
* * * *
~ Andrew ~
I smiled as I glanced over at Dalton. "Did you save room for cheesecake?"
Dalton winced as he rubbed his stomach. "Not sure yet."
"We can get it to go, you know."
"Really?" Dalton sounded so happy about that.
I chuckled as I raised my hand to hail one of the waiters. "Two orders of cheesecake to go."
"Tell Pierre it's wedding cheesecake," Crosby said. "He'll know what to do."
