Page 63 of Wed to You

“I can’t wait.”

Jagger may have felt isolatedand alone in Virginia, but at least he didn’t feel like an anvil was crushing his chest as he did when in New York. As his car approached the Talbot Building, that weight pressed harder and deeper until he could barely breathe. It’s only once a month, ran like a mantra through his mind as he rode the elevator up to the fiftieth floor. He’d been fortunate to escape his family’s expectations as the next in line to run Talbot International. From his birth, he’d been groomed for the job, and he’d towed the line, starting in the mailroom in high school and working his way up during college and following graduate school. He’d been miserable the entire time. Only when his grandfather had gotten sick and began to make important decisions about his money and assets did Jagger have the opportunity to redesign his life. Wanting a better childhood for Kaden, Jagger’s grandfather had made provisions, allowing Jagger and Kaden to escape to Virginia. Jagger’s only commitment to the family business now was a monthly meeting with the board of directors. His grandfather had ensured him a spot on the board. Jagger might have been flattered his grandfather felt he had the business acumen, but Jagger knew he was really there to keep his father in check. He followed through because the business was responsible for over twenty thousand employees. For them, Jagger did his duty.

He let out a breath and rolled his shoulders as the doors opened. He made a beeline to the conference room, nodding acknowledgements from the staff that greeted him. When he entered the room, he was glad that not many people had arrived yet, including his father. It would give him a minute to psyche himself up for the meeting.

“Jagger. How are you?” Marlena Anderson greeted him.

“Marlena.” He took her hand and leaned in to kiss the stylish sixtyish woman on the cheek.

“You’re looking well. That southern air must be doing you good.”

“It is. Thank you.”

She patted his hand and then looked at it. “Is that a ring?”

Jagger followed her gaze to the platinum band on his finger. “Yes.” For the first time since he and Chelsea had married, he felt awkward, nervous even. Was that how Chelsea was feeling?

“My goodness. When did this happen? Who is she?”

He managed a smile, but his chest compressed even more as he prepared to lie. Why it was different now than it had been in Virginia, he didn’t know. Maybe because these were his people. Because they knew him and would question his actions.

“It’s recent and she’s not from here. Not a money family.”

“Really?” Marlena’s pulled brows showed intrigue.

Feeling pressure to justify his marriage, Jagger added, “She’s a smart, beautiful, regular person. And she’s terrific with Kaden.”

Marlena patted his hand again. “That’s wonderful. I’m glad. Is she here in New York with you?”

He nodded. “She’s with Kaden now.”

“You’ll have to bring her to my place tonight. I’m having a little party.”

“I don’t know.” His uncomfortable feeling grew. “We’re actually still on our honeymoon.”

“That is recent. Please. I want to meet the woman who stole Jagger Talbot’s heart. Come tonight.”

“Yes. You should come. What’s this I hear about your heart?”

Jagger flinched at the sound of his father’s disingenuous voice. His father always knew what to say and do, but it was lip service. Jagger suspected his father was actually a sociopath who could act the part but never really cared about people. At the very least, he was a narcissist.

Jagger turned and shook his father’s hand. “Dad.”

“So, who’s this woman?”

“They’re married.”

Jagger winced at Marlena’s statement.

His father’s well-groomed brows pulled together on his fake-tanned face. “Married. Since when? To whom?”

“You wouldn’t know her or her family. It’s recent.” Jagger was glad Chelsea wasn’t there. No doubt she’d be hurt by the unemotional, business-like manner in which he was sharing his recent marriage. Jagger had learned early in life that emotions revealed weaknesses that his father never failed to exploit. There was no way he’d let his father near Chelsea. He also knew Kaden was a sore spot with his father. After all, Kaden had taken a large portion of what Jagger’s father thought was his inheritance. “She’s with Kaden right now.”

Jagger’s father covered his sneer with a fake smile, but not before Jagger saw it. “Surely you can bring her to Marlena’s party tonight. We should meet this woman.”

Jagger understood that in most families, meeting new spouses was a celebration. His father didn’t care about family. He cared about money, and odds were he was wracking his brain to figure out how much Chelsea was going to cost him. Of course, she didn’t cost him anything. One thing Jagger’s grandfather had done very well was divide the money. His father had his own pot and the company. Jagger’s and Kaden’s trusts were well protected from his father’s greedy hands. That didn’t stop his father from trying to access the money. Chelsea would be seen as one more person in his way to getting it. One more person he had to share with.

“Surely you can take her out for a nice evening. They can’t possibly have extravagances like we do in New York. Women like to be spoiled, dressed up, and taken out on the town.”

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