Ares gets up from his seat just behind us and approaches. “I’d like the answer to that question too. Have you forgotten about my sister?” he whisper-barks. “You being here jeopardizes her safety.” He looks two seconds away from breaking my brother’s neck.
“Relax, you are all way too wound up.” Baz smirks as he fiddles with my tie. I swat his hands away and glower at him. “It’s your wedding day, little brother. You’re supposed to be smiling not frowning.” He cocks his head to the side. “I’d sure have a big smile on my face if that hot, sexy little—”
I swing my arm to punch him, but my brother has awesome reflexes, and he ducks down before impact.
Baz straightens up and lifts his palms. “I’m not here to cause trouble.” The smirk is gone from his face.
“Why are you here?” Bree snaps, coming up behind us. She looks as pissed as me, and I’m glad she wasn’t a part of this. My sister looks very pretty in her ankle-length silvery gown. Her blue hair hangs down her back in soft waves, and she’s wearing more makeup than usual. I owe her a lot for today because she pulled out all the stops to make it happen. I couldn’t have done it without her help.
“I didn’t tell the folks anything that could get you in trouble. Dad will talk to Carter and smooth things over. He’s going to say I overheard you and Bree planning the wedding last night and I told them because I knew they’d want to be there. I’ll feign innocence in relation to all the other stuff if Carter corners me,” Baz says.
“What did you tell Dad?” I ask, watching Ares silently plot ways to murder my brother. Ares is seething, and I don’t blame him.
This.
This is why I didn’t want Baz involved.
If anything happens to Lilianna, I will personally help Ares to slit my brother’s throat.
“I told them you found a way to avoid marrying Julia and you couldn’t wait any longer to marry Ashley. I knew Mom would cry if you got married without her here.” He clamps a hand on my shoulder. “Jocelyn too. We both know you’re her favorite brother. You shouldn’t get married without your family by your side.”
Of course, I want them here. I’m sure Chad wishes his mom and Tess could be here too, but it’s too fucking dangerous, and we’re already risking too much. I shake Baz’s hand loose. “How did you explain Carter’s attendance?”
Baz runs a hand through his hair. “I didn’t need to explain that part.”
A chill creeps up my spine. “What do you mean?”
“Dad already knows Ashley is his daughter. The first thing he asked me is if Rhett or Doug was giving her away.”
“How the fuck does your father know about that?” Ares grits out, folding his arms across his chest.
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t say.”
“Well, that’s just swell.” Bree looks over her shoulder to where Rhett is staring at us. She prods her finger in Baz’s chest. “I went out on a limb for you, and you shouldn’t have done this without talking to Jase or me. You’re on my shit list now.”
“You have a cover story to protect you. You’re not responsible for the fact Dad already knows about Ash. Let them figure that out together.” Baz flips his head to the side. Dad is now seated beside Rhett, and their heads are bent together, and they are deep in conversation.
“You need to go smooth things over with him,” Bree tells me as we watch the men talking. “Explain we had nothing to do with this and Baz did this behind our back. Then we need to get this show on the road.” She subtly nods in the direction of the officiant. The woman is looking at her watch with a frown.
“Jason.” Mom comes up to me, wearing a huge smile. “Look how handsome you are.” She draws me into a hug. “I’m so pleased for you, honey.” She holds my face in her palms. “I’m thrilled you’re getting to marry for love, so I’ll overlook the fact you were keeping this from us.”
“There were reasons, Mom.” I kiss her cheek.
She sighs. “Yes. I’m sure there were. Isn’t there always?” Taking my hands, she says, “You’d better still be spending Christmas with us. Ashley is invited.”
None of us have given a second thought to what we’re doing Christmas Day. It’s not like it’s been a priority. I doubt Ash will want to spend it with Pamela, but I’ll check. “If Ashley is okay with that, we’ll be there.”
Mom looks over at Chad, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “You too, Chad. I already invited your mom and Tessa, and Eric has made plans to transport them safely.” Dad obviously told her he’d put them up in one of the safe houses.
Chad looks to me, and I read the silent question. “They’ll be safe at our house. Dad has huge security.”
His shoulders relax. “I’d love to join you. Thanks for the invite.”
“Good.” She turns to Ares. “That invitation extends to you too. The more, the merrier.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Stewart,” Ares says in a polite tone that earns my respect.
“Call me Anna-Lynn.” Mom smiles at him and then squeezes my hand before stepping aside to let Jocelyn through.
