Page 67 of The Acquisition

Amelia's eyes widened with shock for a split second before she managed to school her emotions. "Wife? Oh, I suppose congratulations are in order."

It was hard to miss the sadness in her eyes. I didn't need to wonder anymore if I'd hurt her. Maybe seeing me again for the first time in years opened old wounds.

The next words out of her mouth really dug the knife in deeper. "I never thought I'd see the day that Colter Greyson actually saidI do."

"A lot has changed over the last six years."

She forced a smile. "It appears so. I'm really happy for both of you."

Waiters swirled around the room collecting plates and refilling wine glasses. A jazz ensemble began playing, indicating the dancing portion of the evening was starting.

Hans rose from the table and held out his hand to Amelia. "You know my favorite part about this little exchange?"

Her mouth fell open and her cheeks flushed. It was clear she was embarrassed. "I…well, that is to say…I'm not usually so…"

"Raw? Honest? Transparent?" he supplied.

"I'm not sure any of that is a good thing," Amelia mumbled.

"I beg to differ. I'm tired of schemers and social climbers. Best of all, my favorite part is where you revealed you were single." Hans winked at her, and she melted under his attention.

"So that was the ex, huh?" Jana said.

"I'm sorry. I know this hasn't been the trip I promised," I whispered back to her.

"I warned you," Matilda intruded. "He's got a history. If she couldn't hold him, what makes you think you can? Hell, you couldn't even hold on to Malcolm Graham. Even Waverly doesn't see the two of you staying together. She would know."

"What did you just say?" My tone was low and threatening.

Matilda seemed to realize quickly that she revealed too much and tried to backtrack. "Look, this wasn't my idea. Waverly called, and since she knew I was going to be in Germany at the same time you were she asked a favor. She said you'd made a horrible mistake and I needed to help her save you."

Joe's head turned as he clued in to the drama his daughter started. "Matilda, what have you done?"

"Nothing, daddy," she whined. I wondered if he was truly clueless, or if his love for his daughter made him overlook her faults.

A humorless laugh burst free. "Nothing? You arranged to have my ex-fiancée ambush us tonight. That is after you slung hateful comments to Jana in the bathroom. So excuse me, but I'd hardly call trying to wreck my marriagenothing."

Joe shook his head. A look of disappointment pulled down his bushy brows. "Matilda, grab your things." He looked back at Jana and me. "I'm very sorry, Colter. Jana, please don't listen to my daughter. She's been apparently coddled for too long. I thought she'd moved on from this behavior. After all, high school ended for her a decade ago, but clearly she hasn't outgrown this pettiness."

"That's a fair assessment. She treated me like this in high school as well. Except then she slept with my boyfriend. I suppose given a chance she'd try and sleep with my husband as well, only he's got higher standards than Malcolm Graham." Jana certainly got the last word in and the effects on Joe Forsythe were immediate.

His face was turning an alarming shade of purple, and it was clear Matilda wouldn't be talking herself out of her father's anger this time.

I tossed my napkin on the table and held my hand out for Jana. "Would you like to head out?"

She nodded her head and slipped her hand into mine. I waved to Hans on the way out. I'd make it up to him later, but at this moment I had to do damage control with my wife.

TWENTY-FIVE

JANA

Istared out the window of the town car while Berlin flew past. Here I was in one of the most fascinating cities in the world, and none of the sights blazing past were making an impact. The lights blurred into ribbons that were the perfect metaphor for the path of my thoughts. Tangled, blurred, and twisted together.

Everything in my head was a jumbled mess. I couldn't eject Amelia's words from my brain, and everything stuck to that one comment. "I never thought I'd see the day that Colter Greyson actually said I do."

I couldn't let it go because the reality was no one we cared about saw us recite our vows. I knew the reasons why we eloped in secret, and I supported it at the time. But I had to admit, even if only to myself, keeping our relationship hidden made me feel like I was a dirty secret.

Yes, I was a hypocrite. I'd argued every time he wavered about telling Evie, but only because I knew, deep down, the moment she found out about us we'd be over. So I insisted we were nothing more than a business arrangement. I might have a broken heart once he left, but at least I'd have my pride.

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