Page 130 of One Wealthy Wedding

“That doesn’t make it better,” I say softly. “Tell me.” I stand next to him, looking out at the water, so he doesn’t have to look at me if he doesn’t want to.

“It’s always been like this. Since I graduated from college. Maybe even before. Those summers back at the house…” He looks out at the water. “Your stepmom’s friends hit on me.”

“They what?” I choke out. “That’s horrible. I’m sorry.” My stepmother is closer to my age than my father’s.

“I didn’t hate it at the time.” He lifts a shoulder. “I thought it was pretty cool, that women wanted me. I’d always been the help’s son, but now I had power.”

I’m silent, feeling ill. I knew Theo sometimes helped out around the house, but I never imagined he was being harassed.

“I used it to my advantage, you know.” He says this like he expects me to think less of him, but all I can think is thank fuck, because he deserved every advantage he could get his hands on.

“Good,” I say viciously.

“Well, it hasn’t turned out great for me,” he says dryly. “My reputation means I’m fair game. These investors assume I’m here for a quick lay.” He waves his hand at the house. “They make passes. I say yes sometimes. I sort of have to. Now you’ve seen it in action.” He winces. “You probably think less of me for that.”

“What I think,” I say slowly, “is that I’d like to go up there and claw every woman’s eyes out for even looking at you.” The truth of those words settles into me. This might be a fake marriage, but Theo deserves someone in his corner.

He laughs. “Easy, princess. I need them to have eyes so we can take their money.”

“You shouldn’t have to do this. Do Miles and Jonah know they’ve put you in this position?”

“They haven’t done anything. This is my problem. My failing.” Theo looks out over the water again. “I built this reputation. I’m not serious enough, not smart enough, too handsome.”

“Fuck that,” I bite out. “This isn’t your fault. And from where I’m standing, it looks like your business partners are using it.”

“That’s not it at all.” He shakes his head. “Miles and Jonah have done everything for me. If anything, I’m bringing them down. The least I can do is let an investor ogle me.”

“I don’t think they want that. You’re worth more than that, Theo. They’re your friends.” I hate that he feels he needs to pimp himself out to be worthy of Kings Lane.

His throat works, and when he looks over at me, his eyes are shadowed. “They are, but I owe them this deal.”

“Why? What if you didn’t win it? What happens?” I cross my arms.

He’s already frowning down at me. “Not an option.”

“Not an option why? Kings Lane is successful. There will be other deals.”

“There will be,” he says slowly. “But I might not be there to make them.”

“You’re quitting?” I can’t believe that. Theo loves what he does, as far as I can tell, otherwise he wouldn’t have spent a year traveling for work.

“No, I’m not quitting. I’m just…I’m not essential.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Did Miles or Jonah say that to you? I know Jonah can be a right prick when he wants to be, but Miles—”

“Nothing like that. It’s just a feeling I have. I came on later than them. They were already pretty successful before I joined. I’m nice to have. Not essential. I’m the schmoozer. The fixer. Not the moneymaker.”

“You really think that?” I suck in a breath. “Money isn’t everything, but if you want to compare dollars to dollars, you’re just as smart as Miles and Jonah.”

“That was a different time in my life,” he says bitterly. “And besides, trading stock is for bottom-feeders.”

“Who told you that?” I ask sharply. “That sounds like something my father would say.”

Theo’s mouth parts in shock. “It was. How did you know?”

“Because he said as much any time he lost money on a trade in his portfolio. I’ll fucking kill him.” Tormenting me is one thing, but coming for Theo? Unacceptable. I’m shaking with rage until Theo tugs me over to him, pushing my back against the stone wall and bracketing me with his arms. He’s smiling as he does it, his eyes soft. Rage rises, making me want to snap my teeth. This man is nothing but impressive and honest, and my father tried his best to ruin him, just like he did to me.

“Easy, princess. He did say that, but it was a long time ago. I applied for an internship at Peterson International. He denied it.”

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