Page 68 of To Tango, with Desire

“That’s not true, and you know it. I think you’ve had too much—”

He turned now, gripping my arm. “Y’all thought my dad was some fucking messiah. Helping the poor, generous and kind. But he was an asshole. First to my mother. Then to me. Then to your—” Kade knocked over his drink, spilling it on his jeans. “Fuck!”

“I think it’s time you went home. I’ll take you.”

“No.”

“Kade.”

He lurched up, pushing me away. “I said no!”

“I’m calling you a cab then, whether you like it or not.”

It didn’t take long to wrestle him out of the bar. When the cab pulled up, I placed him inside, but not before I caught his bitter comment. “I’m glad he’s dead.”

I pulled back, slamming the door, watching as the vehicle rolled away.

The cool evening breeze made me shiver. I turned over his words in my mind. He was drunk, that was all. It had simply been grief talking. I made a thousand excuses for him, just like I had all those years ago.

But my gut screamed in protest. Something wasn’t right. Instinct told me I’d find out what that was, whether I liked it or not.

EIGHTEEN

AMIRA

In a matter of minutes, I’d be married.

I stood in the opulent bridal suite, staring at my reflection in the mirror, silently panicking.

Today should have been the happiest day of my life. A day filled with love, damn it, a day about love, but all I could feel was dread. That I was going to throw up on my very expensive gown. That I was marrying a stranger. That this marriage was going to fail.

My bags had all been packed and delivered to my new home by Zane’s driver. There was nothing standing in the way of me walking down that aisle.

Except me.

I couldn’t do this.

I should back out now.

I fingered the delicate lace detailing of my dress. I looked every bit the blushing bride. My hair had been swept up in a top knot, showcasing my dazzling diamond drop earrings. I turned now, unable to stop admiring the sheer back of the dress and the intricate lace that accompanied it. Tiny, delicate buttons ran down the length of my spine. And despite my nerves, I smiled. It was my dream dress. There was no doubt about that.

I adjusted the diamond bracelet on my wrist. My soon-to-be husband had made certain I was dripping in expensive jewelry. Not that any of it mattered if I didn’t walk down that aisle.

I jumped at the gentle knock on the door, then turned surprised to see Maryam De Lotto, and not the wedding planner, hovering in the doorway.

“I hope you don’t mind me intruding,” Maryam began, shutting the door behind her.

“Not at all. I’m grateful for the company.”

“Thinking of jumping out the window?”

My mouth fell open.

Maryam’s eyes twinkled in amusement as she crossed the room. “That was my last-minute thought before I married my Tony. I probably would have if I hadn’t been on the second floor.” She chuckled.

“So what happened?”

“Tony slid a note under the door.”