Page 55 of One Weekend in London

I turn, looking for Rhys.

Should’ve known he’d be right behind me.

Just as Mark constantly shadows him, he’s always shadowing me, never letting me out of his sight unless necessary.

The first time he left me at the penthouse while he went on a business trip, he watched me through the security cameras more often than not.

I didn’t mind either—not in the least.

In fact, I may have given him a show or two.

“Lil, I want you and Tasha to officially meet my Prince Charming. He’s—”

“You hurt her, Rhys Kensington,” Lillian interrupts, a look I’ve never seen before—one that screams she means business—crossing her face. “And I will kill you.”

Now it’s my turn to blink slowly as Tasha makes a choking sound, clearly just as surprised as me. Lillian isn’t the violent type. She wouldn’t hurt a spider, much less a person, and yet...

“Like chop you up and feed you to the pigs kind of kill you.” It’s the hormones. It has to be, right? I mean, I know my cousins can drive someone crazy but not this kind of crazy. “Got it?”

Stunned as can be, I remain mute.

Rhys though, he just smiles. “I’ve got it.” Lillian looks pleased with his answer. Only, he isn’t done yet. “And, darling, if I ever make such a mistake, I vow to be the one to hand you the axe.”

“I knew I liked him!” Tasha claps, practically bouncing in place. “Can you imagine once he meets Papaw in person? I know they’ve been yapping on FaceTime a lot, but Lord, y’all, I think these two are gonna be like two peas—”

The bell above the door chimes with a new arrival, the suddenly ominous sound slicing through our reunion like a blade. And I don’t need to turn to know who just walked in. Not when the temperature plummets, along with my stomach.

Be brave, Sadie Lou.

I turn, knowing it’s time to deal with one of the devil’s minions, gaining closure by putting to bed the last piece of my past. And there Cornelia is, in all her cruel glory, that powdered nose of hers turned toward the heavens.

Same as always.

Standing just inside the doorway, her mouth pinched and eyes narrowed, she takes in the scene before her as all the patrons look on, the shop remaining dang near silent.

“Well, well, the prodigal harlot returns.”

Rhys stiffens at my side, the anger radiating off him unmissable. Knowing he’s about to blow a gasket, I squeeze his forearm, silently telling him I’ve got this.

Time to put her in her place...

I step forward, squaring my shoulders and meeting her icy stare head-on. “Cornelia. I wish I could say it’s a pleasure but, well, it most certainly isn’t.”

Her lips twist, a sneer taking over her face. “I’m sure you do. Just as I’m sure you think flouncing back here with some uptight Brit on your arm will make us all forget what a disgrace you are.”

My hackles rise.

“A disgrace?” I shake my head, a mirthless laugh escaping me. “That’s rich, coming from the grandmother of the man who couldn’t keep his pants zipped on his wedding day, much less in the back of a church.”

If anything, that should’ve been what everyone gossiped about—the degradation of the town’s beloved Baptist church—not me being a runaway bride.

Her face mottles, ugly splotches of red staining her cheeks. “How dare you? Now I see exactly why Maxwell chose Vanessa over the likes of you.”

Lot of good that did him.

Not only did Maxwell try to get me back when he found out about Rhys and me, but a still-pregnant Vanessa left his butt shortly thereafter, choosing to marrysome rodeo cowboy instead. It’s a shame, really. Because they deserved one another.

Two snakes and their not so happily ever after.

---