I’m not sure what he sees in my expression, but he takes a step back, and I step closer. “I am not your son. And if you ever strike my wife again, I’m going to carve her initials into your chest. Your face, perhaps. Or both. Now step aside, I’m taking my wife home.”
Uncle Cormac quickly moves between us. “An excellent idea, Mason. Congratulations to you both.” He smiles kindly atAfton, who can’t meet his gaze. She’s still pale and obviously humiliated. He puts his hand on Cavendish’s shoulder, leading him away as he starts a conversation about shipping routes.
I offer her my hand and she takes it with a grateful smile. “Thank you. I’m a little shaky…” Two red spots bloom on her cheeks, “Because of these high heels. I’m not used to heels. But you’re tall, what, like 6’6? So, they wanted me to wear them today and I’m just going to… shut up now.”
“It’s all right.” I tuck her hand in the crook of my elbow. “Lean on me and I’ll get you out of here.”
The path to the ballroom’s exit is a long one, a series of ‘business associates’ of Cavendish taking a moment to kiss my ass and offer false wishes for a happy marriage.
“Omedeto,congratulations, Mason MacTavish.” It’s Kenji Matsumori, theKobunof his father’s Yakuza. The man is in his late forties but his slicked-back hair is already halfway to gray, he’s impeccably dressed in a dark blue tuxedo and he’s lavishing his limited charm on my bride, nodding and smiling at Afton. “Andomedetoto you as well.”
“Arigato,thank you, Mr….?”
Excellent, my bride knows at least a little Japanese. Since we intend to take the Matsumori alliance away from Cavendish, that could be helpful.
“Ah, darling, this is Kenji Matsumori, a new business ally of your father’s and I hope,” I nod graciously at an amused Kenji, “a new ally of the MacTavishes as well.”
“From everything I’ve heard, dear,” he says to Afton, “you’ve secured the hand of the most elusive bachelor in the MacTavish clan.”
Her brow arches, “Yeah, I bagged me a good one.” Her mouth slams shut and she looks almost as surprised as Kenji does.
He masks it with a polite chuckle. “Well, I’m sure we’ll see each other soon, Mr. MacTavish. Enjoy your honeymoon.” We exchange tight smiles and I’m finally able to usher my bride away from that hellish reception.
“Wait!” It’s Afton’s mother.
“We were so close,” Afton mourns.
Her mother is a little breathless as she hurries after us. “Don’t you want to make a goodbye speech? Mimi has thirty doves we were going to release as you drove away. The club here is very strict about confetti.”
“Mom, please. I don’t think they want the doves.” Sam leans in and gives Afton a hug, whispering something in her ear. She nods and smiles, squeezing him harder for a moment and then opens her arms to her little sister, who’s trailing behind.
Looking at me, Sam’s eyes, blue, like his sister’s, harden. “I’m not going to give you the speech about treating her well. I’m just going to assume you’re already planning to.” He shakes my hand as if he’d rather set his own on fire.
Chuckling heartily for the benefit of his family, I say, “You should have been telling your father that before he hit her today to get her to cooperate.”
He’s horrified, and not practiced enough yet to hide it. Good. At least he didn’t know what his father did. “That’s not true.”
“I can see the bruises forming under her makeup.” I’m still smiling pleasantly; we could be having a talk about the weather. “Keep an eye on your little sister. He’ll set his sights on her next.”
A muscle tic’s in his cheek as he grits his teeth. “I see. Thank you for letting me know.”
“Is everything all right here?” Afton’s mother smiles anxiously at both of us, wringing her hands.
“Of course.” I nod politely. “Goodnight.”
A convertible Bentley is parked at the curb, covered in so many flowers that it borders on ridiculous. “The wedding planner strikes again,” Afton sighs. “She had to have known we couldn’t drive away in that thing.”
“It’s all for show, darling.” I guide her over to my waiting SUV. “Wave goodbye.” She turns obediently, waving and offering up a weak attempt at a smile.
“Don’t you know?” Afton says between her teeth, “All for show is my family’s specialty.”
Chapter Five
In which there is a beautiful jet but no wedding cake.
Afton…
Having time to think is a problem.
