Page 45 of Lost Kingdom

“I know.” She drops her hand. “But it’s fun. You look beautiful. You look amazing. You look better than the grooms, and they might hurt you for that. But I’m confident Eli’s love is stronger than his desire to stick you with the cake-cutting knife. And if it’s not, then I’ll run interference. Assuming I’m not eating. If I’m eating, you’re gonna have to wait. Worst case scenario, I’ll autopsy you and make sure to use the best plugs,andI’ll sew your skull cap on super neat so we can have an open casket.”

“You’re a real pain in my ass, you know that?”

“Hence using the best plugs. Though that’s a pretty ballsy way to speak to your chief, Doctor Emeri.”

“It’s the weekend and my chief can kiss my ass.” I turn to Tim—My date. My… boyfriend? Maybe. Someday—as he and Archer come to a stop a few feet away. “Are you ready? We’re gonna ruin this wedding if we take any longer.”

“I’m ready.” He steps away from Archer and takes my arm with his, wrapping us close and pulling me in tight. He stares down at me that way he does, adoring and sweet and still, somehow entirely covert in the way he gives such little away. Unless he says the words out loud, or his hands are on my body, I’m rarely invited to know what’s on his mind. “I’ll save you from the bitter grooms if they pick up a knife.”

“Aubree! I’m here.”

I spin at my brother’s shout, and smile wide when my baby brother dashes through a side door and sprints this way.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” Duane skids to a stop, almost crashing into us because he moves so fast, then he sets his hands on his knees and pants to catch his breath. “I got caught up with something else. But I texted Eli. He knows I’m here.” He heaves for air, and the back of his hair could do with a comb.

So I help him out and pat down his short locks.

“Where the heck have you been?” I frown when he straightens out, his new stance revealing a smudge of lipstick on the side of his neck. Instantly, frustration boils in my blood. “This is not okay, Duane! You should’ve been here an hour ago.” I slide my thumb across the mess and wipe the red smear away. “Eli and Curtis deserve better.”

“I know, Sissy. I’ll make it up to them.” He slips his arm around mine and turns, so we face the door. “I’m ready to get started.”

“Uh… well…” I look at a dejected Tim and drag my bottom lip between my teeth, ruining the clean lines Minka and I already fixed. He was going to be my escort, and now he’s not. And of course, it’s not his place to take my brother’s role, and I know he won’t be mad about his demotion. Family is family. And of all the men on the planet who would understand that, it’s him. But guilt still lances through my veins. “Timothy Malone,” I hold his eyes for a beat, swallowing the ball of nerves nestled at the base of my throat. Then I bring my focus to Duane. “I think you’ve met everyone else. So, Duane Emeri… this is my, uh…”

“Fiancé,” Tim inserts, taking Duane’s hand before he has a chance to offer. Palms meet with a clap, the sound of seriousness echoing along the wide hall. “Nice to meet you.”

“Um… yeah…” He’s Tim’s captive, his arm moving with a shake he has no participation in. Then he looks at me. “Yourfiancé, Aubree? You have an announcement to make?”

“He’s just being sill?—”

“Announcements were made at dinner earlier this week.” Tim gives his hand once last squeeze before releasing and setting his palm on my hip. “You missed it and a delicious pot roast, all on the same night.”

“Aubree!” Eli slams the doors open, bridezilla-esque, and growls. “We. Are. Waiting!”

“Oh shoot!” I grab Duane again and quickly meet Tim’s eyes. “I’ll see you on the other side, okay?” I don’t step onto my toes and press a kiss to hischeek, though I kind of want to. And I don’t lean into his powerful body to rest against his chest.

I want to do that, too.

But I wait for his subtle nod. His acknowledgment, which is my release. Then I spin and sprint, joining my brother’s wedding late and hoping I’m not murdered for my tardiness.

“Finally!” Eli grabs my shoulders and places me where he wants me. “You’ll walk after Katie and the others. Duane.” He moves to my brother with a frown, fixing his tie and brushing unkempt hair off his brow. “Is that a bruise on your face?” He grabs Duane’s chin and tilts his head to better use the light. So I turn and look too, accepting a bouquet when Katie passes one, but studying the light grazing on my youngest brother’s jaw.

“What happened to you?”

He brushes my hand away when I try to touch it. “Nothing. Are we ready to go?”

15

TIM

IN OR OUT? OUT OR IN? WHICH IS WHICH AND WHY DO YOU THINK THAT?

“Not a word.” I fix my tie and quickly find the group of seats Cato saved for us, filing into the row and ducking down so I’m not taking anyone else’s view of the front of the room. Though the bridal party have yet to walk out, so it’s not like they’re missing anything important. Sitting, I stare at the priest and not at Minka when she sits on my right. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You’ve crossed the line.” She settles in and folds one leg over the other, showing off a section of her thighs and a pair of sexy heels that would have been my brother’s suggestion. “I’m not saying it’s a bad line to cross, or a good line. But it’s a line, and with this line comes massive responsibility and a very special heart that deserves to be treated right.”

“I know what it means.”

“And so that means you’re prepared to care for that heart? It means choosing her over the things you consider your duties in life. Choosing her over your martyrdom.”

---