Chapter 30: : Chapter 30

“Married?” Billie says, baffled. Dutton, Hawke, and Ford are sitting behind her. She turns to Dutton. “How could you not tell me this?” she asks accusingly.

His hands are folded over his chest, and he shrugs. “I only found out a few days ago.”

“Isn’t that kind of big news? Who is she? It’s not Michelle, is it? I can’t stand her.”

“And what are you going to say if it is?” Hawke asks, laughing. She goes to speak but closes her mouth. My cousin is, unfortunately, a dumbass, much like Hawke. Neither of them think before they speak.

“It isn’t, right?” She winces as if she’s put her foot in her mouth.

“Absolutely not,” my mother calls out. “My son has some taste.”

“At least your son seems interested in a relationship; mine just seems to drift from bed to bed,” Aunt Honey calls from the kitchen.

“Why am I now being targeted?” Dutton shouts. Hawke and Ford laugh as Billie glances at her phone.

“Hope can’t come. She’s busy with some show tonight,” Billie says, throwing herself between the twins to sit.

“I didn’t even invite her,” I grit out, irritated that this turned into a far bigger deal than I’d intended it to be. “And why are you two here? Didn’t I let you have tonight off?” I ask Hawke and Ford.

Ford seems too preoccupied with his phone to answer. He’s been doing that a lot lately. Hawke shrugs, then answers, “Where else would we want to be when the boss officially introduces his fiancée to the family? Besides, we missed you since you seem to be having date nights and killing sprees together. We’re basically chopped liver now.”

“You went on a killing spree together?” Billie demands, cheeks going pale. “Please tell me she’s not as crazy as Anya.”

“Hey, that’s our mother you’re speaking about,” Hawke scolds.

“Yeah, and you’re just as crazy,” she bites back.

He doesn’t disagree with her.

My jaw tics in irritation. I’m often frustrated when this group gets together. I down a mouthful of whiskey as we wait in the living area of my parents’ mansion. I’d offered to host it at my place, but my mother was hell-bent on having it here. Now I know why—because she decided to invite fucking everyone.

“To answer your question,” Dutton says to his sister, “she’s definitely on the spectrum of crazy.”

“Watch your mouth when you’re talking about my fiancée,” I growl. Everyone falls silent, and Dutton raises an eyebrow.

“I thought she was just a means to an end, that you’re using her to get everything you want. Isn’t that what you told me?” he says quietly so only those of us in the room can hear.

I ignore him. Dutton has already taken over his father’s business completely. He doesn’t know what it’s like to have his future hinging on something as stupid as a marriage requirement. Ever since I was eighteen, I’ve had to fight for my role and for every new responsibility. I did tell him that Jewel serves a purpose, but I won’t let him speak ill of her.

I haven’t spoken to my father since the engagement, and when he walks in with my uncle Dawson after finishing work, I stand to pour them both a glass of whiskey.

“I hear congratulations are in order,” Father says. He pulls me in for a one-armed hug and pats my back. “Proud of you, son. The best thing I ever did was force your mother to marry me.” He chuckles. I hand him and Dutton each a glass.

“It was my choice to marry you; I want that made very clear,” my mother says as she enters the room with Aunt Honey. He goes to her, immediately pulling her in for a kiss. He is, in every sense of the word, obsessed with my mother. Although I grew up watching them unable to keep their hands off each other, I can’t imagine myself having the same experience in my own marriage. I just remind myself that Jewel serves a business purpose only. But the fucking is most definitely a perk.

Dawson gravitates to Honey, and she raises on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek.

“So where is she?” my father asks, looking around the room.

I’m not entirely thrilled that she’s late to what’s supposed to be her introduction to my parents. She had a shift tonight, and although we didn’t part on the best of terms last night, I had her swear she’d be here. Then again, when has that woman done anything I’ve told her to do?

“She was probably scared off after her future mother-in-law surprised her at her own home,” Hawke says. Everyone’s eyes grow wide, and realization dawns on him. “Oh shit, that wasn’t common knowledge?”

“Rya! You didn’t, did you?” Honey yells at her sister. “Oh my gosh, the poor girl.”

My mother waves it off, saying, “What? I just had to confirm my suspicions, and I wanted to see what type of woman she is.”

I look at my phone. Still no update from her.

Where the fuck is she?

“I’m starving,” Hawke complains.

“We’ll wait for her. The table is already set, so you can be patient,” Mother tells him.

“Besides, you’re always hungry.” Billie checks her pockets and fishes out a lollipop.

“You’re a fucking angel.” Hawke grins as he steals the sucker from her hand.

Dutton looks up from the book he’s reading and pins Hawke with a glare. Then sends one Ford’s way when she hands him one. Ford isn’t as big of an eater as his gym junkie brother, but I’ve never seen him turn down a sweet.

“No, we can start dinner now. Her shift must be going over. I’ll try to call her one more time,” I say.

“Oh, a shift worker?” I hear Honey ask curiously. No one knows she’s technically a hitwoman, and I have every intent to keep it that way.

I call, but there’s no answer. This time, though, she does text back. I grin at the updated contact name I gave her since Stalker didn’t seem to fit anymore.

I frown at the short text and lack of apology. But it’s likely she’s had to stay at work later than she expected. I don’t even know why she keeps that job. I understand having a cover, but as my wife, she won’t have to hide behind something so trivial. If she were my real wife, that is.

When I enter the dining room, I see it’s beautifully set up. My mother stands behind my father at the head of the table with a smile, proud of the outcome. She then looks up at me expectantly.

“She’ll be a bit longer yet. But she said to start without her.”

I sit beside my mother, leaving the other side free for when Jewel arrives. A private chef brings out entrées, setting a plate in front of each of us. My mother uses this time to ask Dutton about Jewel, and he tells her she will most likely challenge me in every way and that she’s flawlessly stubborn. I don’t think that’s what my mother wants to hear.

By the time we’ve finished the main course and she hasn’t replied or shown up, I can see my father getting irritated. He doesn’t have much in the way of patience; I guess that’s where I get it from.

“It will be nice to have another woman my age in the family,” Billie says after I briefly describe Jewel to them. Billie’s only a year younger than Dutton, but he treats her as if she’s still a sweet little girl.

“Wait till you meet her,” Dutton mumbles under his breath. Thankfully, at the same time, Honey and Dawson are in conversation with my parents.

I glare at him across the table, and his sister shifts uncomfortably. “Don’t be bitter because you can’t find anyone who won’t put up with your shit,” she says to her brother.

He raises his eyebrow. “I’ll have you know; I don’t intend to have a relationship. This family keeps me busy enough as it is.”

Hawke snorts. “More like no one wants you because of how fucking intense you are.”

Billie then defends her brother. “Hey, like you’re one to talk, Mr. Manwhore. You can’t even remember the girls’ names you sleep with.”

“I’ll have you know that I do remember them, but if there’s more than one in one night, it becomes tricky,” he says defensively, then scarfs down a forkful of food.

“You’re such a pig,” she snaps back. “The only one who actually has any decency here is Ford. At least he knows how to treat a woman.”

Ford looks up from his phone this time.

“Please, Ford hasn’t been with a woman since…” Hawke stops to ponder that for a moment. “I don’t know when.”

An exchange seems to happen between Ford and Billie, and she’s quick to say, “It doesn’t matter. He still knows how to be at least reasonable. The rest of you are all too macho. Gah! I so want another woman in this family.”

I excuse myself from the table as Hawke and Billie squabble amongst themselves about the treatment of women. I swear, Hawke intentionally riles her up just to get a reaction. He’s been doing it since the day they first met.

I step out into the living room and call Jewel. She lets it ring out again, which makes me angry.

“Is she not coming?” my mother asks as she joins me. Sliding my phone into my pocket, I feel the muscles in my jaw twitch. She stood me up. Maybe for payback, I’ll destroy one of her precious guns.

One of my parents’ security guards steps into the living room to announce a new guest, but Jewel bursts in, introducing herself. “Sorry, I’m late. Work wouldn’t let me leave.” She’s still wearing her work attire of black heels and a little black dress.

I stalk across the room and loom over her. She pins me with that challenging stare as I grab her by the hip and pull her to me, crushing my lips to hers. She seems startled and unsure what to do with her hands, but I inhale her, take out my fury on her as I devour her. I drag out her lip and growl, “You’re late.” I’m fucking furious with her.

Goose bumps erupt along her skin, which pleases me to no end. She pulls away from me and holds her hand out to my mother, who is studying us intently. This isn’t going to be easy.

“Nice to see you again, Mrs. Monti. Apologies for being late. I didn’t want this to be everyone else’s first impression .”

My mother accepts Jewel’s hand, looking between the two of us, and I know nothing goes unnoticed by her, so I put my hand on Jewel’s hip possessively and tug her back into me. I don’t know what the fuck a happy couple looks like, but I’m going to kill my little Kitten with touch and kindness. The very things she fucking hates. This will serve as her punishment for being so late. I had a feeling she was going to be a little late, but I didn’t expect her to only come for dessert.

“Of course, dear, but you missed an amazing meal. Come, let me introduce you to everyone.” My mother eases her away from me and leads her into the dining room.

Jewel glances over her shoulder quickly and flips me off. The corner of my mouth twitches. I’m irritated that she can make me so fucking angry one minute, then have me smiling the next.

My father makes a point to stand and offer his hand in greeting. To her credit, she doesn’t seem intimidated by him. And he is a very intimidating man.

She and Dutton acknowledge one another with an insincere, “Good to see you.” She walks around the table and shakes everyone’s hand as my mother introduces them.

It’s not until she makes it back around to my side that I notice she’s not wearing her engagement ring. But when I left her yesterday, she was definitely wearing it.

My mother seems to notice the lack of a ring at the same time. Her eyes narrow almost imperceptibly, and I can tell she senses something is off between Jewel and me. She’s one of the top lawyers in the country, if not the best, for fuck’s sake; sniffing out lies is her damn job.

“You still don’t have a ring?” my mother asks. I wrap my arm around Jewel’s shoulders, and she tenses as she lifts her hand.

“Oh, I do. It’s beautiful, but I can’t wear it to work. It’s way too expensive,” she replies, as if that’s answer enough.

“You should wear your ring,” I growl. She eyes me and smiles. It’s forced, and I can tell behind that smile, there are sharp teeth wanting to bite.

I drop my arm and pull out the seat, indicating for her to take it. When she does, I sit next to her, and the interrogation begins.