“Say you’ve had a wardrobe malfunction or some–”
Katarina’s open palm smacks against my cheek with enough force to make my teeth clash. “You bastard! You think a week is long enough for a honeymoon? I don’t care about your fucking work commitments!” she screams.
I step back, hand to my cheek. Well, I suppose this works. “As my wife, you’ll do as you’re damn well told!”
She snorts. “It’s going to take more than brave words to tame me, Duke. You’re not going to treat me like a pet you can throw the occasional treat to,” she yells, spit flying from her mouth. “Fuck you and fuck this party!”
She turns on teetering high heels and I take a step to follow her into the house, then fling my arms in the air. “You won’t get away with behavior like this when we’re married!” Turning my back on her retreating form, I storm down the steps. The only part of our performance that isn’t an act is my anger. “Time to enjoy the fucking party!” I announce, setting my sights on Ed, who apparently can’t walk and talk at the same time.
He’s standing on the lawn midway between the house and the marquee with his phone still pressed to his ear. Hefinishes the call just as I reach him. “Grace sent me to warn you,” he says.
“Tell me what you know,” I demand. There’s no time for setting the scene. I need a quick rundown of the situation and I need it now.
“Killian McConkey’s here. He’s with Grace,” he says. “She wants you to meet her in the catering tent. He’s demanding to see Katarina.” He takes a steadying breath. “I’ve let Max know and he’s on his way. And no, I don’t know if Killian’s on his own.” I presume that’s a question Max has already asked. “Oh, and I know all about Fitz.”
“Knows what about Fitz?” Rory demands from behind me. We’re on grass so I hadn’t heard him approach with Calder.
I was hoping to have my little brother safely home before making my confession. I’m going to get a lot of flak for this and I don’t have time for a lecture. “He’s been a guest of the Bratva for the last few weeks. He’s fine. I’ve spoken to him. The deal is he gets returned as long as I go ahead with the wedding. He’s due to be returned in…” I check my watch. Fuck. “Forty-five minutes. Vasili’s sending a representative to hand him over and make sure the wedding happens.”
I go to stride off, but Calder grabs my arm. “They took our brother hostage and you didn’t tell us?”
We’re closer to the party-goers than I’d like. “Keep your voice down,” I hiss.
“To hell with that!” Rory bellows. My oldest brother is usually the level-headed one, but he thrums with rage. “You should have told us!”
I’m too busy reeling from Rory’s reaction to notice Calder, or his fist until it smashes into my jaw. “You fuckingasshole!”
I stagger back a step, but stay on my feet. There are a few gasps from onlookers, and if I can hear them, they can hear us. “As much as I’d love to fight this out,” I say, spitting out blood, “we have a far more pressing matter to deal with. I need to get to the catering tent.”
It’s Rory who grabs my arm this time. “You don’t go anywhere without us.”
As we step inside the marquee, the party’s in full swing. There are glitter balls and ice sculptures, champagne fountains and an enormous birthday cake that doesn’t look any worse for missing the top tier.
The bar is already two deep despite there being twice as many bartenders than are necessary. It could be that some have skills better suited to the military than behind a bar. Thankfully, there’s no doubting the talents of the trapeze artists currently keeping our guests entertained.
With attention diverted, my brothers and I make it through the marquee without too much fuss. Rory has the reputation for being the friendliest sibling and guests approach him first. He’s far more polite with his refusals to stop and talk than I would be.
As we reach the tunnel that connects to the catering tent, it’s crowded with waiting staff. Ed grabs a napkin from one of them and hands it to me. “You’re bleeding.”
I take it gratefully. “You don’t need to involve yourself with this,” I tell him. “It would be better if you kept your head down.”
“Oh, I’m staying,” he insists.
Chapter 30
Grace
“Wait, don’t…!” I begin, my nerves taking another hit as Killian removes his sunglassesandhis wig. “What if someone recognizes you?”
Killian takes a meaningful look around the deserted food prep area where pots of slowly cooling sauces and stews have been abandoned. I’ve commandeered the catering tent much to the annoyance of the catering manager, but since I’m the one who hired him, he’s agreed to keep everyone away for now.
“It’ll be fine,” Killian says dropping his disguise and the gift for Katarina on top of the cake box I’d set down on a nearby serving cart. “I’ll put it back on if anyone comes in.”
“Yeah, that won’t look suspicious,” I answer sarcastically, glancing at Max who had arrived when I was clearing the tent.
While we wait for Duke, I watch in fascination as Killian goes in search of something to eat. He ignores the dressed salmon and delicate hors d’oeuvres and grabs a bread roll. He rips it apart to create a well for a wedge ofcheese and some kettle chips. He smashes the sides of the bread together to make a sandwich.
Killian catches me staring. “Do you want one, Gracie? I can make another?”
