"No! He's just showing up. Uninvited. To make some kind of statement."
“Son of a bitch!”
“Hell yes.”
Mac's mind immediately went to Rachel. Derek would be at the wedding tomorrow. And Rachel would have to face him.
"Cole, I need to tell you something. About him and Rachel."
"What about them?"
Mac explained quickly; the advances, the rejection, the systematic destruction of Rachel's relationship as revenge.
Cole didn’t move for a while. Then: "Jesus Christ. That's psychotic."
"That's Matthews. And tomorrow he's going to be at your wedding with Rachel there. I need to handle this, but I wanted you to know what's happening."
"What's the plan?"
"Rachel doesn't go anywhere alone. I'll have Sophie and the team keep eyes on her when I can't. Jamie can run interference with Derek; keep him busy, keep him visible, away from both Rachel and Ellie."
"Good. What else?"
"Luke sticks to Derek like glue during the reception. I'll brief Tyler, he'll notice if Matthews tries anything. And Cole, you and Ellie stay focused on your wedding. Don't engage with him at all. This is your day."
"Mac—"
"I mean it. You get married, you celebrate. I've got this handled."
Cole was quiet. "Okay. But if he tries something."
"Then I shut it down. You won't even know it happened."
"Thanks, man."
After hanging up, Mac immediately called Rachel.
"Hello?" Her voice was sleepy, he'd woken her up. “Mac?”
"I need to tell you something. Matthews, he's coming to the wedding tomorrow. He announced it on TV."
"What?"
"He invited himself. Said it's 'professional courtesy' but we both know it's about making a statement. About targeting Ellie. And probably—" Mac stopped, not wanting to say it.
"About me," Rachel finished, her voice small. "He knows I'm here."
"Probably." Mac rubbed his face. "Rachel, you don't have to come tomorrow. If it's too much."
"No." No hesitation this time. "I'm coming. I'm not letting him win. Not again."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. Mac. I'm not running this time." She took a shaky breath. "We face him together, right? "
"Together," Mac confirmed.
Mac set down his phone and looked at Puck, who was sitting on the couch staring at him.
