This part of the wedding has been planned by Hunter and Marcus. As Jade throws the bouquet, everyone parts, leaving Lily alone on the dance floor, but Marcus reaches up before she can catch the flowers and snatches them from her grasp, causingher to scowl. Marcus didn’t want to ask Lily to marry him at the wedding, not wanting to take something away from Hunter and Jade, but he was determined to not so subtly let Lily know that it wouldn’t be long before she’d be his wife.
Chapter 45
Ria
Leo has always been confident in front of a crowd which is why he’s so successful in the boardroom at getting people to do what he needs. It’s that confidence that has the anticipation burning up inside me at what he will command I do later. The small kiss he gave me moments ago still lingers on my lips, and I can’t wait to have him all to myself tonight. Knowing this is real and he wants me is a rush I never saw coming.
Lily and Marcus banter in the center of the dance floor, but I never take my eyes off Leo. I’m so lost in thought that I’m thrown off balance when someone stumbles into me.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Trixie slurs as she rights herself and straightens out her dress. She has obviously had a few too many of the complimentary signature cocktails, as her flawless skin isa little flush with color and she sways on her heels, but she still looks put together and glamorous. Not a hair out of place.
“Don’t worry about it. You enjoying yourself?”
“Yes!” she squeals. “Aren’t they just the perfect couple?”
“They really are.”
“I still can’t believe you married Leo.” Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows bounce. “Brother’s best friend and younger than you—you’re a walking romance book cliché.”
“It seems I am.” And like magnets, my eyes connect with Leo’s as he makes his way through the crowd.
“I could always see it, you know.”
“What’s that?”
“You two. You’re made for each other.” She reaches out to give me a hug, but she wobbles and falls into me, and we laugh uncontrollably as I right her again.
“Trixie, Jesus, you’re an embarrassment. You promised me you wouldn’t get in this state,” Ezra growls, appearing behind her and grabbing her roughly around her arm, but she stands firm.
“I’m enjoying myself,” she says quietly.
“You’re an embarrassment. I let you drink for one night and just look at you. You can hardly stand up.” He spits the words as she reels back.
“I’m—”
“Don’t try to talk yourself out of this. We’re leaving.” He tugs on her arm again, but she still refuses to move. “Trixie, now,” Ezra booms.
“I’m not leaving my best friend’s wedding early just because you’ve decided you’ve had enough of being here,” she shouts, her words slurring as she continues to sway on her heels.
Within seconds, Leo, Beck, and my brothers, along with Deacon have circled us.
“I think you are,” he grits out, quieter now as he senses their presence. “You’re making a fool of yourself. You’ve had too much to drink, and it’s time we left.” This time when he tugs on her arm, she stumbles.
“Let go, Ezra.” Trixie tries to pull away from him.
“You’ll come with me now.”
“Leave her alone, Ezra. She doesn’t want to leave, but there is nothing stopping you.” Reaching out, I rest my hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down. The fire in his eyes almost has me jumping back, but I hold firm.
“You stay out of this,” he spits.
“I will not stay out of this. You’re hurting my friend and causing a scene at my brother’s wedding. Let her go,” I say calmly, standing my ground with this utter tool. I’m seeing all his true colors in these past few months, and boy, they aren’t pretty. He releases Trixie and gets up in my face, and out of the corner of my eye, I spy both Noah and Hunter take a step forward.
“Look, Ria. Your brothers have come to rescue you again.” He lets out a humorless laugh as he continues, a cruel glint in his eyes. “You never did get over me, did you?”
“Oh, I definitely got over you.” I straighten. He won’t belittle me anymore with his misogynistic bile he likes to throw my way about how men are more powerful and women will always need them to fight their battles and look after them. I won't let it beat me down anymore. When Leo’s warm and strong arm circles my waist, pulling me farther into his side, I know I’ve finally got someone by my side. I’m not in his shadow fighting to be seen. But it’s the words that fall so effortlessly from his lips that have my whole body stilling and my heart pausing in my chest.
“I think you need to step away from my wife, St. Claire.” From his demanding tone and the way he is claiming me so publicly, Iknow deep down he isn’t playing a role. Any doubt I had about him is washed away with those words.
