Page 60 of Troubles

“That was awful. I’m not going to make it through the reception.” Lis drops her head back to the seat and stares at the ceiling of the car. “Why did I bother getting a dress to match the wedding party? It makes no sense. This is ridiculous, I shouldn’t have come.”

I hate the doubt and self-deprecation. Shifting in my seat, I turn her face to mine, making sure I’ve got her attention. “You’re here because it’s the right thing to do, you know that. If I’m honest, your family is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. They are absolutely toxic.” She rolls her eyes and huffs out a small snort. “I don’t know how you’re related to them, seriously. I can’t for the life of me figure out why that arsehole picked her over you,” I rush to smooth what was not meant as a hurtful comment, “but I thank God, every day, that he did. I may thank Rob personally at the party, buy him a drink. I definitely have the better of the sisters.”

“Thank you.” The smile, the peace spreading across her face makes me feel good. Like I’ve gotten through to her. “You’re very sweet, but you know you don’t have to say those things, right?” I start to protest in earnest when she winks. “And if you play your cards right, I’ll even go home with you tonight. Let’s just get this done. Make our appearance, have a couple drinks and leave.”

The reception is even more of an event. It’s not just a couple drinks type of party. There’s a formal dinner with table assignments and dining partners.

I grab a couple whiskeys from the open bar handing Lis a glass as her mother sidles over to us.

“I didn’t realize you were bringing someone with you. We’ll have to make space at one of the tables for your friend.” The dismissive flip of her wrist should have bothered me. But the fact that she has no interest, no respect for her daughter is what has my ire up.

“Aidan, this is my mother, Anna Rittenhouse. Mom, this is?—”

I extend my hand, all my manners on full display. “Aidan Kearney, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She reluctantly places her hand in mine. Her handshake is as cold as her assessment of me.

“You’re not from here.” The woman is brilliant.

“No, I’m not. But I’ve found the best reason to stay.” I pull my hand back and place it possessively around Lis’ waist.

Anna looks from my hand to Lis, from Lis to me and back again.

“Well. I’ll figure out the seating.” And away she goes snapping at the poor wait staff lugging a tray laden with champagne glasses. “We’ve had an unexpected guest show up. You’ll have to add a place to table?—”

“So, that’s my mom.” Lis takes a tiny sip of her whiskey and shakes her head. “And you’ve already met Maryse and Rob, so now is your chance to run. Take off before it’s too late.” Her small laugh and nervous smile trying to cover her discomfort.

“Love, it’s already too late. I’m not going anywhere.” The kiss is just barely on the right side of appropriate, flushing her cheeks a beautiful rosy pink.

My hand at her back, I guide Lis to our table when the announcement is made to please enter the dining room. As I pull her chair out for her, my phone buzzes a text—and immediately starts the phone call buzz. I pull it from my pocket and see it’s Francie.

I decline the call and see a stack of text messages from him, the last demands CALL ME NOW.

“Lisbeth, I have to take this. I’ll be right back, love.” I set my glass in front of her and swipe to call Francie as I make my way out to the lobby.

“Christ, ye need to get your arse here, now. Did ye know? Did ye think to tell me she was comin’? How does Lis feel about this?”

It’s rapid fire, question after question.

“Francie, what are you talkin’ ’bout? Slow down.”

“Aidan, Lorna is here. In the pub. Said she’s here to bring ye home. Ye want to tell me what this is about?” I can practically hear his blood vessels popping through the phone.

“I don’t know. I’ve been trying to reach her for weeks and have heard nothing. When did she get there? And what the fuck—she wants to bring me home?” My mind is racing. What is she doing here? Why now? Should she even be traveling?

“She’s been here an hour or so. I tried to feed her, but the girl’s exhausted. Looks like she’s been up for days. Aidan —”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I huff out, “Tell her I’ll be there in a minute. Let me—let me tell Lis I have to go.” I end the call and see Lis’ sister smirking at me over her glass of champagne.

Fuck.

36

Aidan

The look on Lis’ face nearly killed me. The disappointment. The resignation. And ultimately the acceptance that I was leaving her to the wolves. I could see them circling with their teeth bared, ready to descend on her.

I hope with all my racing heart that Maryse didn’t hear as much of my phone call as I think she did. I can only imagine how she would spin things if she had half a mind to.

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