“Please don’t feel like you need to lie on my account, it was fucking awful,” I tell her, and she heaves out a sigh of relief.
“It really was. I am kind of surprised, because Stacey’s mom used to have such classy taste. I don’t see her here.” She looks around the crowd in search of a woman she will never see again. “I also don’t see Penelope. I looked for her at the ceremony, and she wasn’t there either,” she probes, and I feign a sad smile.
“Penny came down with a migraine and needed medical attention, so she was unable to make it.” The car that was supposed to drive her around today was intercepted by our team, and the driver was replaced. By now, she should be making her way toward New York where she will take a train to Vermont. The Bianchi family arranged a house for her to recuperate in before she decides how she wants to live the rest ofher life. “Look, I think it would be a good idea if you took your leave early,” I tell Mayor Steel forcefully. “Probably just after the cake is cut.”
“Oh, but we couldn’t.” Mrs. Steel misses my entire meaning, but thankfully, Mayor Steel is smarter than that. Well, he can’t be too smart since he was on our family payroll, but that doesn’t matter right now.
“Yes. I received a call from my office not long ago with something that requires my attention. I promised I would be there as soon as I could.”
Mrs. Steel blinks, looking confused, but Nikki grabs her arm and gives it a squeeze.
“You know how busy Daddy’s job can be. Stacey will understand,” she encourages her, and Mrs. Steel just nods, getting with the program.
“Oh yes, my husband is a very important man. Someone always needs him for something.”
I tell them goodbye before pulling Nikki off to the side for a quiet word. “Discretely encourage your sorority sisters to leave too without any drama. If they tip Stacey off, warn them I will make sure their sorority doesn’t see another year. I also wouldn’t want the sorority to need a big membership drive this year.” She gives me a short, knowing nod and melts into the crowd.
I have a quiet word with a couple of the Suncity bigwigs who I know vaguely through my father. Each of them quickly get with the program, one going so far as to leave immediately so it isn’t a big exodus at once.
When guests are finally invited to sit for dinner, I think the three of us have managed to speak to everyone we needed to. There are a few empty places at the tables, but neither Stacey nor Mario notice. Xavier is keeping Mario’s drink full, and Stacey is too busy fawning over her husband who has to pretend to enjoyher advances. Poor guy is going to need to scrub the feeling of her hands from his body with bleach.
The dinner and speeches with toasts drag on agonizingly slowly, and I watch as Tristan consumes glass after glass of champagne, becoming louder with each mouthful. Finally, it’s cake cutting time, and I’m a bundle of nerves as cake is being handed out by servers with trays. Guests slowly start to give their apologies and drift away, but Mario is half drunk and currently distracted by the overflowing breasts of Stacey’s two cousins as they flirt shamelessly with him while their mother watches with narrowed eyes.
My phone rings right on schedule. I answer it, and Bryce is on the other end.
“It’s go time, Tori. Your dad and Carla are safe at the hotel, and the other assets are back in Russo control. Your dad and Gio have removed Mario from the biometrics. Mickey says to tell you all innocents are free and clear. You need to get out of there now.”
“Thank you.” I heave out a sigh of relief and hang up. “Let’s go,” I mutter to Xavier and lead him toward Mario.
“Ah, here they are, my two wonderful kids,” he says jovially, slurring his words. “Isn’t tonight wonderful? The culmination of all the hard work and planning for over five years.” He raises his glass in a salute.
“Yes, wonderful,” Xavier agrees, “but we just got a call from the resort. Stefano and Carla are causing problems. We need to leave and sort it out.”
Mario frowns but nods his head. “Good. Make sure you make them pay for causing trouble.”
“Where’s Tristan? We can let him do his worst so they will never think to cross us again.” Xavier and I scan the crowd but don’t see him anywhere.
Mario smirks. “Stacey dragged him inside a short while ago. I bet they are eager to get started on the wedding night.” He sways, and one of Stacey’s cousins steadies him, and he winks at her.
“In some cultures, it’s tradition for the father of the bride to enjoy himself on the wedding night too.” I barely hear him speak over the sound of my blood rushing through my ears in terror.
“Oh my god. Was anyone watching his drinks tonight?” I ask Xavier, whose mouth drops open in horror, and he shakes his head.
“Fuck, you get the other two, and I’ll start searching for them,” I tell him.
“Tristan’s room is up the stairs and to the right. Try there first,” he snaps before rushing to find Colton and Vienna.
I kick off the ridiculous heels Stacey made us wear and sprint for the patio doors and into the house. I haven’t had a chance to check out the layout yet, not thinking we would be here long enough to need to. I find the stairs and bolt up them, holding up my dress so I don’t trip over it.
Following Xavier’s instructions, I tear open door after door, finding empty bedrooms until I finally hear Stacey’s giggle as Tristan slurs a protest.
“Don’t touch me.”
“You know you want this.” Those five words have me reeling, and a memory flashes into my mind of her saying the same thing to me, while I both begged for more and pleaded for her to stop. I was so fucked up with the cocktail of alcohol and roofies, and now she’s done the same thing to one of the men I love. That bitch is finally going to get what is coming to her.
I reach into my bra and pull out my faithful knife, flicking it open, and burst into the room. They both freeze and look at me. Tristan is mostly naked with just his boxers on, an obvious bulge beneath them. Stacey is sitting on top of him, completely nakedexcept for the veil still in her hair. She lifts her head and smirks at me.
“Get out, Tori. My husband and I are consummating our marriage. Look, he wants it.” She points at the bulge as he shakes his head and tries to push her off him. I see fucking red.
