Page 23 of Fractured Dynasty

No sooner than the thought crosses my mind, my wife shifts her head, her gaze landing on mine. She offers me a bright grin, laughter slipping from her lips. She tilts her head to the side and bites the inside of her bottom lip.

Arousal thickens my blood, slowing my muscles and heightening my surroundings. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how easily or quickly she can turn me on. If I didn’t think this chapel would light up brighter than a fucking disco ball underneath a black light, I’d kick everyone out except for her.

And maybe my best friend and brothers.

Dante breaks our connection when he steps in front of her, diverting her attention and shielding her from my view. A moment later, they’re walking hand in hand out into the reception area. I’m sure he’s stealing her undivided attention while they pay and officially file the paperwork.

“How far along?”

I half-turn my shoulders toward Rush. “What?”

He tips his chin up, his gaze darting to the door Cherry and Dante walked out of. “How far along is she?”

Everything inside of me shuts down, my emotions stripped away and my adrenaline flying high. I don’t answer him. I don’t even know how to fucking answer him.

Did she tell Alaina?

No. She wouldn’t have had the time.

My brow dips, just a fraction of an inch, but it’s a fucking tell I can’t afford to have. He just boasted about us being family, but this is a good reminder that it’s a title earned, not given.

He waves his glass in an arc to encompass the whole room. “She hasn’t taken a single sip of champagne in the last hour. And three times now, she brushed her stomach in that telltale way women do when they’re pregnant.”

I set my glass down and turn to face him. My heartbeat kicks into a rhythm more like the music pouring from the speakers as I mentally prepare myself to shatter an alliance. I don’t want to, but if that’s what it takes to keep her—them—safe, then there is no other choice.

“Relax, Matteo. Your secret is safe with me. I just happen to be more observant than my brothers, but if you don’t want Alaina to know, then I’d take your celebration to somewhere more private. My girl’s quick, and she’s lived with Madison practically their whole lives. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t already pick up on it.”

I stare at him as he calmly pours more champagne in his glass before filling mine up again once more. He hands it to me without ever meeting my gaze. Rush and Dante would get along great if they ever spent any amount of time together—both of them so fucking hard to read through their calm façade.

“Congratulations, man.” He raises his glass in the air as a toast. “Birdie’s gonna lose her mind,” he mumbles through a smile before he takes a drink.

I reluctantly lift my glass up and take another sip. I don’t not trust him, but I don’t know if I trust anyone other than the four people I share a house with. I was already jaded as fuck, and everything that happened in the last few months with Dad only added to that paranoia.

But for now, I’ll sip the champagne and offer a polite nod. Actions speak louder than any words in this life, so when the time comes for Rush’s claim of family to kick in, we’ll see how truthful his words are.

11

MADDIE

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Dante says as Wolf drapes himself over my cousin, murmuring something in her ear that has her laughing.

I raise a brow, excitement sprouting like my favorite flowers in the spring. “A surprise?”

He entangles our fingers together. “C’mon, in the lobby.”

I leave the untouched flute of champagne on a little table by the door as Dante leads us into the little reception area. There are racks of white dresses in all different styles and lengths, rows of sparkly tiaras, cheesy buttons and sashes, and all kinds of “married in Las Vegas” memorabilia.

A throat clears, the sound feminine and familiar. I tear my gaze from the stack of neon what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas tees and lock eyes with my twin sister.

Mary leans against the glass display case of shot glasses, flasks, and lace garters, her arms folded over her chest. Her lavender-colored cardigan is pulled tight, the pearl buttons cinching it closed all the way up to the top. She’s wearing black leggings that look like faux leather—something I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wear before—and her ever-sensible soft leather black flats.

Dante releases my hand and my feet carry me to her without conscious thought. “You came,” I breathe the words out, my chest expanding with something between surprise and awe. “When you didn’t return my calls, I didn’t think you’d show up.”

She doesn’t meet my eyes as she shifts from foot to foot and adjusts her cardigan. I glance at her shoes just to see if there’s something interesting down there or she really can’t bring herself to look at me.

“Of course. It’s not every day that Elvis marries your sister to four dudes.”

She’s surly and despondent, but I’m just so glad that she came, I can easily overlook it this time. A laugh surprises us both, and she jerks her head up in alarm, a scowl marking her beautiful face. I smile at her, and riding that impulsive wave of love and appreciation, I lean forward and wrap my arms around her neck.

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