Page 31 of Husband for the Holidays

“Mom—” Shehesitated to slap that look off her mother’s face with the truth, but there was no way she could lie to her about something like this.

Konstantin’s arms tightened around her, pressing tingles of sensual memory through her skin and muscle and blood cells, urging her to go along.

Was he drunk?

But even as she tried to find the words to say that Konstantin was full of it, his ruse got rid of one very sticky problem.

“As I was saying, I’ve been called away,” Edoardo blurted. “Happy news. Congratulations.” With one final wild look toward Antoine, Edoardo made his escape.

Ironically, Eloise wished she could go with him. The malice she felt coming off Antoine was so thick it oozed.

Antoine rose to shake Konstantin’s hand in a very perfunctory way. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Eloise was concerned you would be upset.” Konstantin held Antoine’s stare in challenge.

“Antoine has only ever wanted what’s best for you, darling. I hope you know that.” Her mother rose to embrace each of them, but Eloise felt Antoine’s malignant glare. He was more than upset. He was blistering with such fury Eloise couldn’t help pressing into Konstantin’s solid presence when her mother stepped back.

“No ring yet?” Her mother kept her hand, and covered it with her own, exclaiming, “Darling! You can wear my ring from Petros. It’s in the safe. No.” She touched her chin as she started to turn away. “The box at the bank in Athens. We’ll have to make a special trip,” she said to Antoine.

“In the New Year, perhaps.” Antoine manufactured a lovey-dovey smile. “We’re expected in Como for Christmas. Remember? You’re looking forward to seeing Melissa.”

“That’s true, but...” Her brows drew together in consternation.

“Mom, that’s not necessary,” Eloise protested.

This isn’t even real.

“I want you to have it,” her mother insisted. “It would have gone to Ilias for his wife and it bothers me that it’s locked away. Ilias would want you to wear it, especially if you’re marrying Konstantin.” She tilted a watery smile up at him. “You’re practically family already.”

Did Konstantin flinch? If he did, he masked it before Eloise had registered more than a twitch of his arm around her and the bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.

“That’s kind of you to say, Lilja.”

“Shall we sit and finish our meal?” Antoine said tersely, attempting to take control by moving to hold Lilja’s chair.

“And champagne, please, Marcel,” her mother instructed as she sat. “Oh, there’s so much to discuss. Have you set a date?”

“Nothing is decided yet,” Eloise stressed.

Don’t get attached, Mom.

Did Konstantin not understand how wrong it was to build her mother’s expectations like this?

“Yes, there is much to discuss,” Konstantin agreed as he held Eloise’s chair. His tone was both pleasant and lethal. “Details of the prenup,” he added in Antoine’s direction. “I have interests to protect as well.”

For once, Eloise allowed herself a huge gulp of alcohol when the champagne arrived.

“What—” she could barely keep the pitch of her voice to a level tone as the car left her mother’s front steps “—the hell.”

“It’s the most expedient solution,” Konstantin said in that same tone of finality that he’d used earlier when he’d said,I only argue about things that matter.

“It’s a bluff and he knows it.” She curled her cold fists, still shaking from Antoine’s warning as they left. “He just said to me,don’t come in here with a gun that’s not loaded.”

Konstantin turned his head to give her a look that was unimpressed. “I can’t decide if the man genuinely lacks intelligence or is so driven by desperation he’s becoming reckless. Either way, he is the one holding the gun and he’s already shot himself in the foot with it.”

“How? You’ve made things so much worse.” She propped her elbow next to the window and covered her eyes. “You heard Mom. She’s already planning the wedding.”

“Good. Now you have a reason to speak to her as often as you like.”

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