Page 301 of Hateful Games

“No.” A humorless laugh slips. “My father hates me that much to ruin the one good thing that ever happened to me.”

Before she can respond, we reach the table Shammi occupies.

“Hey, girls,” he says warmly. The laughing lines around his wrinkly face deepening. “It looked like you were having a serious conversation. What’s troubling you?”

The question is spoken with him gazing at me, protectiveness flickering. Iris and I take a seat around the round table. “Everything’s peachy.”

“That’s what Bianca said, too, until the boy finally got his head out of his ass.”

I laugh, despite myself. Iris snickers.

“Where are they?” I muse, my deflection not being missed by both of them.

“Ahh,” Shammi says, a twinkle in his eye. “The roles are reversed in your story.”

“You miss nothing, do you?”

“Years of wisdom, which is why I also know you and your husband will be fine. Every couple faces a test. Whether you let it break you or make you stronger is up to you.”

His soulful words make my eyes burn and I smile shakily.

Except, I don’t even know if Nova and I will survive it.

Our conversation is interrupted when a server brings over a plate filled with delicious food and places it before Shammi.

“Would you like anything else, sir?” the waiter asks with a professional smile.

“No, thank you.”

Nodding, he walks away.

Shammi waves his hand at us. “Have a taste.”

“It’s okay.”

“Are you leaving early?” Iris asks, after politely declining. “Bianca mentioned all of us will be sitting together later for dinner.”

“I’ve taken too much of Dash and Bianca’s hospitality. The boy has arranged his jet to fly me back home tonight, even though I insisted to go by train. Besides, I’m too old to stay up late.”

“We are glad you came. Bee is over the moon.”

Shammi smiles adoringly at me. “She’s an amazing kid. I wouldn’t have missed her wedding for the world. It’s good to see her so happy.”

The three of us chat for a bit before we excuse ourselves to find the bride.

I wouldn’t put it past Dash to lock her away with him in a room.

Our suspicions prove almost correct when we find them inside the hall leading to the suites upstairs. Both have changed their traditional clothes. Dash in a custom suit while Bianca looks flawless in a shimmering purple floor-length gown.

“Dash,” she sighs with a silly smile. “We can’t skip our own party.”

“It’s our party. We can do whatever we want.”

“It’s rude.”

“One hour.”

Bianca gasps in mock outrage and crosses her arms. “Two.”

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