“Abby.” Shandra approaches me. “I haven’t seen you to wish you congratulations.” She leans in to kiss me on my cheek. “Are you okay?” she surreptitiously whispers, and I guess I’m doing a piss-poor job of concealing my fear.
“I’m okay,” I whisper back as I kiss her cheek, carefully composing my features.
“Denton. Let me introduce you to my daughter and her husband,” Father says, sounding every bit the proud father as he ushers Alessandra’s father to us. He has dark hair and sallow skin, and his daughter clearly takes after him. He’s handsome for an older dude, but he wears that same arrogant expression all the elite wear as he walks toward us with an elegant redhead clinging to his arm and I’ve already decided I don’t like him. Alessandra’s mother looks nothing like her daughter, but she’s pleasant enough as she shakes my hand, offering us congratulations.
“Very nice to meet you, Abigail,” Denton says, blatantly trailing his eyes up and down my body.
I cling to Charlie even tighter, and he’s stiff as a brick against me, anger rolling off him in waves.
“Charles Barron.” Charlie thrusts his hand out, slanting a warning look at the older elite. “Abigail’s husband.” Charlie holds Denton’s hand in a hard grip, shaking it for longer than necessary, as he eyeballs the man without shame.
At least I know there is one thing I can count on Charlie for. As long as I’m with him, he won’t let anyone hurt me. I’m convinced of it, and it goes a long way toward reassuring me.
Father chuckles, breaking up the tense standoff. “Charles is very possessive of Abigail.”
“So, I see.” Denton’s grin is tight. “But he’ll soon learn.” He turns his gaze to me again, and he might as well be stripping me bare with the way he leers at me.
Fucking pervert.
I’m learning all the elite are.
The way he’s looking at me reminds me of the way Christian Montgomery used to leer at me, and I’m beginning to realize this is a familiar trait.
I straighten my shoulders and meet his gaze dead on, refusing to cower at Charlie’s side any more. “If you’ll excuse me,” I say, moving past him and pulling Charlie with me. “I would like to meet my future sister-in-law.”
“Fucking asshole,” Charlie whispers in my ear as we walk to where Drew and Alessandra are standing beside the long, mahogany sideboard.
“Hey, little sis.” Drew pulls me into a hug. “He’s a prick,” he whispers in my ear.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” I ask, smiling as I size up Alessandra.
She’s even more stunning up close. She’s tall, almost as tall as Drew, with knockout curves and legs that go on for miles. Her piercing blue eyes are much darker than Jane’s lighter blue eyes, and that isn’t the only difference.
It’s as if Father deliberately went out and found a woman who is the complete opposite of my bestie.
I swallow over the lump in my throat, missing her more than ever and wishing she could be here even though I’m glad she’s not.
“This is my sister, Abby,” Drew says, forcing a pleasant smile on his face.
Alessandra’s eyes travel over my green and black fitted dress with disdain. She trails her gaze up my body, smirking at my big boobs, which look ridiculous on my small frame, before skimming my face with disinterest. She fakes a smile. “Nice to meet you,” she says, sounding like it’s a chore to act polite.
“Same.” I match her fake smile with one of my own. “This is my husband, Charlie.” It’s a miracle I get those words out without choking on them.
“Welcome to Rydeville,” Charlie says.
“I haven’t been all that thrilled at the idea of moving here,” she drawls in a Southern twang, her eyes lighting up as she studies Charlie. “But things are definitely looking up.” She wets her lips and bats her eyelashes at him.
What a fucking bitch.
It appears she isn’t just different from Jane in looks.
She’s about as opposite as you can get in every way.
“I suggest you pin those fuck-me eyes on your fiancé,” Charlie says, looking like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth while his voice oozes menace. “Because I’m very much in love with my wife, and the last thing you want is to make an enemy of me and Abby.”
“Oh, such promises.” She winks, sliding up to Drew. “Now I’m even more intrigued.”
A brief flash of irritation shimmers in my brother’s eyes, but he disguises it fast. “I don’t know what game you think you’re playing, but try and make a fool out of me and see how well that works out for you.” He smiles malevolently at her. “I dare you.”
