Page 24 of Perfectly Wedded

“Listen, Brax. It wasn’t intentional. Things just happened fast.”

He whips around. “Too fast to call your brother? I understand why you didn’t tell the team. Leo’s got a big mouth, and Rourke would give you grief. But I’m family. I should know before it’s all over social media. When a reporter called the house, I told him no way were you married. I felt like smacking you for putting me in that position.”

“A reporter called you?” I ask, setting down my glass. “I didn’t mean for you to find out that way. We were waiting to tell you in person. Figured that’d be better than just a call or text.”

“I know that,” he mumbles, then checks over his shoulder. “But this is my sister-in-law you married. It complicates things because she’s family.”

“You don’t think I took that into account?” I say. “You don’t think this is complicated for us too?”

He sets down his breakfast and leans against the counter, locking eyes with me. “She’s not like your other girlfriends, Vale. You were never serious with them—ditching them the moment you got bored. But Sloan? She’s family now.” His voice drops lower as he points at me, eyes sharp. “If you dare hurt her...”

“I’m not going to hurt her,” I promise. “She’s my wife, Brax. Not like the other girls I’ve dated. Why are you even questioning me?”

He takes a step toward me, getting in my face. “You know the divorce rate? It’s fifty percent. Guess how many married couples are in this house?” He waits a beat to make his point. “It’s you or me, Vale, and it sure isn’t going to be me. So if anything happens and you break up this family, you’ll have me to answer to. Understand?”

I clench my jaw and nod, even though I know I’m totally screwed. Sloan thinks this marriage is a temporary arrangement, and I promised her an out when she wanted it. Even if that’s never been my plan, I wouldn’t force her to stay married to me if she didn’t want to. Wouldn’t Brax understand that?

I swallow hard. “Heard you loud and clear.”

The gravity of his warning sinks like a rock in my stomach. Iturn away from him and stare into the open fridge, even though I’ve lost my appetite. If I divorce Sloan, I’ll lose my brother too.

He runs his fingers through his hair. “Jaz is worried sick. She’s been nauseous ever since she found out her sister eloped. She just wants Sloan to be happy. That’s why I’m warning you now. Don’t screw this up.”

I whirl around. “I said I won’t, and I meant it. I’m not going to hurt her.”

Footsteps echo down the stairs, and we both turn back to making our breakfasts.

“Hey, Vale,” Leo says, strolling into the kitchen, oblivious to the tension in the room. “Sorry I missed you coming home last night.” He opens the fridge door and smirks. “I can’t handle all this newlywed bliss. I was afraid it might rub off on me.”

“Which newlywed are you talking about?” Brax asks.

“The same one who got the press all riled up,” Leo says, taking my juice and drinking it from the bottle.

“That’s my juice.” I tear the bottle away from him and glance at Brax. “Did you tell him about Vegas?”

Leo shakes his head. “He didn’t have to. It’s all over the news.” Then he gives me a slap on the back. “You sly dog. Never expected you’d get hitched in Sin City with Sloan. Sounds like somethingI’ddo.” He laughs and grabs my juice bottle, holding it in the air. “Cheers to the happy couple.” Then he downs the last sip.

I narrow my eyes. “Are you trying to be a jerk this morning? Or did I forget how annoying you were while I was gone?”

Leo tosses the bottle in the trash, unfazed. “Looks like somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Didn’t sleep well last night or did your wife keep you up?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I say smugly. There’s no way Leo can find out I slept on the floor. “Just stop putting your mouth on my juice bottle.”

He gives me an aggravating smirk. “I’m sure if it were Sloan’s lips, you wouldn’t mind at all.”

I take a step toward Leo. “Don’t talk about my wife ever again.”

“Guys,” Brax warns, coming between us. “Knock it off.”

“What’s going on now?” Tate strolls into the kitchen, looking between us.

“Do you live under a rock or something? I swear you’ve got your head in a book too much,” Leo grumbles.

“At least I knowhowto read,” Tate fires back.

“Vale and Sloan got hitched in Vegas,” Brax says, beating me to the punch.

Tate nods and grabs a cereal bowl. “I heard. It was all over the news.”

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