I watch the emotions play across his face—shock, anger, betrayal, and finally, disgust. My stomach twists into knots. I knew he wouldn't take this well, but seeing the look in his eyes still hurts.
He drops my hand, shaking his head as he stares at me. For just a minute, it looks like sheer hatred flashes through his eyes. But that's not right. Triton loves me. He's always loved me. For as long as I can remember, it's been the two of us against the world.
"Tempest, Jesus," he mutters, shaking his head. "What the fuck were you thinking?"
"You know how I feel about him," I say defensively, my heart racing. I won't let him make me doubt this, doubt Dalton. Not after last night. Maybe Dalton doesn't love me. Maybe I'm deluding myself to think he'll ever feel that way about me. But he feels something. I know he does. I felt it last night. When he touched me, kissed me, held me—I felt it.
"Yeah, I do. I also know that you were just crying over him yesterday!" Triton snaps, shoving a hand through his hair as he paces the small hotel room like a caged animal, his fists clenched at his sides. I've never seen him this mad before. Not at me. "He just wants Evernight, not you. You're a fucking fool if you think otherwise."
Ouch. Harsh.
"That's not your business," I snap at him, my temper flaring white hot. He doesn't get to talk to me like that. No way.
"You're my business," he says, whirling to face me. "You know I'm just looking out for you."
"Really? Because it doesn't seem like it," I mutter, scowling at him with my arms crossed. "You're supposed to be my best friend. Out of everyone, I thought you'd be happy for me."
"Yeah, well, I'm not," he says, shrugging like my feelings mean nothing. "I'm not going to lie to you and pretend I am. I don't trust him. I don't like him. And I think this whole thing was a giant fucking mistake."
"Well, it was my mistake to make, Triton," I snap, feeling hot tears pricking at the backs of my eyes. I blink them away,refusing to let him see how much his reaction hurts. "It's my life, my company, and my future. Not yours."
His jaw pulses as he glares at me, grinding his teeth together. He's so mad. I don't get it. Aren't the people who love you supposed to be happy for you when you're happy? So…why isn't he?
"Fine." He holds up his hands, shaking his head. "If that's the way you want it, I'll butt out. You won't hear another goddamn word from me about it."
"Thank you," I sigh, relieved.
It's short lived. Extremely short lived.
"But don't come crying to me again when it all blows up in your face, and you're left heartbroken and alone." He holds my gaze, a tilt to his chin that's all too familiar. "Because mark my words, Tempest, that's exactly what's going to happen. Dalton Grady is going to destroy you. And you're just rolling over and letting it happen."
I gape at my cousin, stunned by how harsh he's being. I knew he wouldn't be thrilled about my surprise marriage to Dalton, but damn. He's just being mean now.
"Maybe you should go," I say coldly, my voice trembling.
"Yeah, maybe I should." He shakes his head in disgust. "You clearly don't need me here."
He brushes past me, stalking toward the door, his body rigid with anger. Tears well in my eyes as a sob catches in my throat. He can't leave like this. We never fight, not really. I don't want to fight with him now, not about this.
"Triton, wait. I…" I reach out for him, desperate to make peace, to make him understand. He doesn't have to trust Dalton. He just has to trust me. I'm happy. Can't that be enough for now?
But he ignores me as if I didn't speak at all, ripping the hotel room door open so hard it bounces off the wall.
Dalton's standing on the other side, his brows furrowed, his hand raised as if to knock—so damn handsome he takes my breath away even now when I want to cry.
Triton sees him and scowls, his handsome face twisted with loathing.
"Hey," Dalton murmurs.
"Congra-fucking-lations," Triton snarls in response, his voice dripping venom as he shoulder-checks him, stomping out into the hallway.
"Triton!" I call, horrified by how nasty he's being. Dalton hasn't done anything to deserve it. Neither of us have.
But Triton ignores me yet again, disappearing down the hallway with a muttered curse. A second later, his door slams hard enough to rattle windowpanes.
Dalton glances after him before stepping into the room, his brow furrowed with concern as he looks at me. I press my palms to my hot cheeks, trying to calm myself down so I don't break down sobbing.
"Is everything okay, baby?" he asks, his deep voice gentle as he sets our bag of food on the table, crossing to me. "Triton seems pissed."