“Think about it.Your brother’s the kind of guy who’d arrange for a penthouse-mega-mansion-in-the-sky sort of thing.We need to involve your private eyes, the ones you use for StellaR Tech.Tell them to help us track down Evander.”
Declan isn’t listening to me.He’s telling Bryttni about private New Year’s celebrations made for two while she’s telling him about buffets and magic acts.
I slink down in my seat and cross my legs and arms.This is so frustrating.I’m looking out for the family, but Declan’s only looking out for himself.
Or, to be precise, one part of himself.
His joystick.
CHAPTER 6
Summer
Yup.I hate Las Vegas.
And I can’t imagine why Evander would come here to get married.It’s not exactly the logical wedding destination for a man who gets all his suits made-to-order from some swanky tailor in London.I can’t imagine suave Evander and wholesome Phoebe exchanging vows in front of an Elvis impersonator.
I don’t care if Ieverget married.I don’t expect to, if I’m honest with myself.But if for some reason I actually do promise to love and cherish some dude until one of us croaks, it sure as shit won’t happen in Las Vegas.
Every time I come here, I feel like I should be wearing a hazmat suit.
But how would I know about what’s in the hearts of Evander and Phoebe?I never guessed they’d get together in the first place, let alone get married.I’ve been friends with Phoebe since I moved to Yosemite Ranch, and she never once told me that she had the hots for Evander.
I’ve seen her act nervous around him now and again, though.Should I have seen this coming?Was that the hint I missed?
Evander never told me or anyone else that he had feelings for Phoebe.Or feelings for anyone or anything, really.Or feelings.Except for that baseline bad mood of his.
It took a near-death snowstorm catastrophe for them to fall in love, I guess.And once that happened, maybe Evander didn’t want to wait another second to start his life with Phoebe.
I wonder what it would feel like to be that crazy in love with someone.
It’s true that Phoebe’s brothers acted like assholes at first, thinking Evander had seduced their baby sister, so maybe that’s why the couple chose a drive-through ceremony instead of a fancy wedding in a fancy hotel in a fancy city with fancy food.Evander’s the fanciest man I’ve ever met in my life, after all.
I don’t know how this all unfolded.All I know is that Jamie and Cal asked me to make sure Declan stops the elopement.They said both families—the MacLaines and the Travises—want to be involved in the happy event.Jamie says he can’t wait to formally welcome Phoebe into the family.
I also heard that Phoebe’s five brothers might have hired a hitman to find Evander, throw him in jail, and murder him, all because their parents are crushed at the thought that the only girl in the family might get married without all the bells and whistles.
Bottom line: I’m not here to do a good deed.I’m attempting to save Evander’s life.I’d hate for Phoebe to become a widow before she even gets married!
Declan isn’t thinking about Phoebe.He’s only worried about bringing Bryttni around third and waving her into home.I don’t think he needs to worry about that.From my conversation with Bryttni, I can say with confidence that she’s a sure thing.She’s crazy about Declan, even if she kept referring to him as Declan McCall on the way here.
I can’t blame her for feeling that way, though.Declan is the most—
Bryttni’s hyena laugh jars me back to reality.I turn in time to see her lean into Declan, who puts his arm on the back of her seat and fiddles with her hair.He should probably go easy with the fiddling.I’d hate for him to yank out her extensions.
“Here we are!”Declan singsongs as he approaches the Bellagio Hotel & Casino.We don’t get very far, because he has to stop behind a long line of cars waiting for valet parking.He turns around and smiles at me.
“You can go ahead to the front desk and check yourself in, Summer,” he says.“You have a room under your name.You’re all set to go.”
“And where’re you gonna be?”
“Bryttni and I will be going in through a private entrance and elevator.”
That’s it.I whip off my seat belt and lean toward the front, then use all my strength to twist Declan’s nose between my thumb and index finger.
And I’m really strong.
He lets go with a high-pitched scream.It’s quite satisfying, really.
