Page 220 of Mayhem and Minnie

I get the urge to push her behind me, even covered up as she is, so this idiot doesn’t ogle her.

“My fiancée, Minnie.”

“Minnie.” He clicks his tongue against his teeth. “What an odd name.”

“Short for Minerva,” Minnie interjects in a cold voice. She’s holding tightly onto my arm, her body tense. I glance at her and raise a brow in question.

She doesn’t react, merely maintaining a tight grip on my arm.

“Is it?” Julien murmurs. “And who’s your family?”

Leave it to Julien to bring up pedigree, since that’s all he cares about.

“Why don’t you introduce us to your partner, Julien,” I say pointedly as I change the subject.

The girl is still one step behind him even though he’s got a good grip on her arm.

He pulls her forward, so hard she almost trips.

Blond hair, blue eyes. Julien’s type. Every year, he brings the same type of woman to mother’s birthday party, but this time, she’s not just some random fling. She’s his fiancée—if Mother’s words are to be believed. Considering how much of a manwhoring pig Julien is, it’s quite surprising anyone would want to settle down with him.

“Are you all right?” I ask politely, since her fiancé clearly doesn’t care.

But the moment the words are out of my mouth, Minnie’s fingers dig into my skin harder than before. She looks up at me, and up close, I can see her expression through her veil.

She’s…fuming.

I smile.

Ah, my little heathen. You might be mad at me, but you can still get jealous.

“I-I’m fine,” the girl mutters in a soft, unassuming voice.

Julien pulls her roughly to his side, and the sleeve of her dress rises up to reveal some discoloration on her arm.

Bruises.

Minnie notices that too, and her alarmed eyes find mine.

“Who allowed you to speak?” Julien grits out in her ear, his expression changing to one of pure malice.

“I-I’m sorry,” the girl whispers.

His hold on her arm tightens and she releases a small yelp of pain.

“Marlowe…” Minnie whispers.

Julien stares down at the girl and when he’s sufficiently satisfied with her cowering demeanor, he turns to us once more.

“This is Cara,” Julien says in a bored voice, his expression now neutral. “We are getting married in the spring.”

The excitement in his tone at such a declaration is nonexistent. He says it as if he’s speaking of a grocery list.

“Congratulations,” Minnie adds in a tight voice. She stares at the girl, and I feel the tension in her body. “Would you like to come with me, Cara, and leave the men alone to talk?”

I see what Minnie’s trying to do and pride fills me at her initiative. I give her a nod of approval.

“I—” Cara starts to speak, but Julien cuts her off.

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