Page 33 of The Nanny's Bossy Billionaire

“That’s his girl, dumbass,” James saysto Max.

Lee recovers and says to Xavier, “We’ll let you off this time. You’ll lose anyway, so—”

“No, it’s fine, guys,” I say. “Really. Xavier and I were just talking, we’ll catch up later, right?”

I peck him on the lips.

“Are you sure?” Xavier asks.

“Of course.” I kiss his neck.

As I leave, I hear the boys teasing him.

“Oh look, he’s blushing,” someone says. “Like a fucking bride.”

I’m dressed in the rented Elie Saab dress. It’s icy blue and figure-hugging, with intricate sequin detail, a mermaid hem, and a narrow mesh insert on the front bodice, displaying more than a hint of cleavage. I brush and clip my hair away from my face but let the rest cascade down my back in a mass of waves. I finish off my makeup with a pale blue eyeshadow and a nude glossy lip color and I’m ready to leave. I stop by Zoey’s room on my way down. Dan’s already left with the other men.

“He said something about going to watch a game,” Zoey explains. I know it’s the same game they dragged Xavier to play. I watch her try to get a squirming Lisa into her white flower girl dress and offer to help with Lisa so Zoey can finish up.

We are finally ready to go join the others at the beach.

The wedding venue is set against the backdrop of the rich blue Caribbean sea, with rows of white chairs wrapped in gauzy bows, split by a red-carpeted aisle leading to a beautiful gazebo decorated with flowers.

There are about a dozen dangerous-looking men in black suits and dark glasses around the perimeter of the venue. Zoey notices me looking and explains.

“Just a little security detail. They’re the best man’s men.”

The boisterous Italian guy? I look back. It doesn’t look like a “little” detail. I’ll bet my ass those men are armed. “Is he into security or something?”

“Or something,” Zoey says mysteriously.

I spot Xavier and the rest of the groomsmen. They’d finished taking pictures and were standing around for the ceremony to start. He looks gorgeous in tan slacks and suspenders over a crisp white shirt and bow tie with the sleeves rolled up over his forearms. He’s standing a few feet away from the rest, smoking.

I watch him take a couple of deep drags, then crush the stub under his tan loafers. Ryan approaches him, puts an arm around his neck, and says something to which Xavier nods. Ryan then pats his back and leaves. I’m puzzled by the exchange.

“I didn’t know Xavier smoked,” I blurt.

A frown appears between Zoey’s eyebrows as she catches my line of vision. “No, he doesn’t anymore, he used to. He had to kick the habit before Lisa was born. I’m just going to find Emma, the other flower girl’s mom so we can get the girls together,” Zoey says.

“Are you alright, Brooke?” She notices the worry on my face. “Xavi’s fine, he’s just a bit stressed, is all.”

Stressed? Why would he be stressed and all of a sudden smoking?

Xavier catches my eye and strides toward me, his gaze heating. “You look incredible, babe.” He kisses me, and I taste mint and cigarette on his breath.

“Thank you,” I say. “You don’t look so badyourself.”

He’s rubbing my upper arms, but I feel the slightest tremor in his fingers.

“Xavier, is everything okay?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t it be?” he asks, his eyes still raking over me.

“Well, you seem a bit… on edge.”

He laughs. “You should see Alex. He’s shitting himself. No, I’m good.”

I’m not convinced though.He was fine this morning, wasn’t he? Before the boys came to get him…

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