Page 59 of Vengeful Lies

CHAPTER 30

Eli

“Married?” Billie says, baffled. Dutton, Hawke, and Ford are sitting behind her. She turns to Dutton. “How could you not tell me this?” she asks accusingly.

His hands are folded over his chest, and he shrugs. “I only found out a few days ago.”

“Isn’t that kind of big news? Who is she? It’s not Michelle, is it? I can’t stand her.”

“And what are you going to say if it is?” Hawke asks, laughing. She goes to speak but closes her mouth. My cousin is, unfortunately, a dumbass, much like Hawke. Neither of them think before they speak.

“It isn’t, right?” She winces as if she’s put her foot in her mouth.

“Absolutely not,” my mother calls out. “My son has some taste.”

“At least your son seems interested in a relationship; mine just seems to drift from bed to bed,” Aunt Honey calls from the kitchen.

“Why am I now being targeted?” Dutton shouts. Hawke and Ford laugh as Billie glances at her phone.

“Hope can’t come. She’s busy with some show tonight,” Billie says, throwing herself between the twins to sit.

“I didn’t even invite her,” I grit out, irritated that this turned into a far bigger deal than I’d intended it to be. “And why are you two here? Didn’t I let you have tonight off?” I ask Hawke and Ford.

Ford seems too preoccupied with his phone to answer. He’s been doing that a lot lately. Hawke shrugs, then answers, “Where else would we want to be when the boss officially introduces his fiancée to the family? Besides, we missed you since you seem to be having date nights and killing sprees together. We’re basically chopped liver now.”

“You went on a killing spree together?” Billie demands, cheeks going pale. “Please tell me she’s not as crazy as Anya.”

“Hey, that’s our mother you’re speaking about,” Hawke scolds.

“Yeah, and you’re just as crazy,” she bites back.

He doesn’t disagree with her.

My jaw tics in irritation. I’m often frustrated when this group gets together. I down a mouthful of whiskey as we wait in the living area of my parents’ mansion. I’d offered to host it at my place, but my mother was hell-bent on having it here. Now I know why—because she decided to invite fucking everyone.

“To answer your question,” Dutton says to his sister, “she’s definitely on the spectrum of crazy.”

“Watch your mouth when you’re talking about my fiancée,” I growl. Everyone falls silent, and Dutton raises an eyebrow.

“I thought she was just a means to an end, that you’re using her to get everything you want. Isn’t that what you told me?” he says quietly so only those of us in the room can hear.

I ignore him. Dutton has already taken over his father’s business completely. He doesn’t know what it’s like to have his future hinging on something as stupid as a marriagerequirement. Ever since I was eighteen, I’ve had to fight for my role and for every new responsibility. I did tell him that Jewel serves a purpose, but I won’t let him speak ill of her.

I haven’t spoken to my father since the engagement, and when he walks in with my uncle Dawson after finishing work, I stand to pour them both a glass of whiskey.

“I hear congratulations are in order,” Father says. He pulls me in for a one-armed hug and pats my back. “Proud of you, son. The best thing I ever did was force your mother to marry me.” He chuckles. I hand him and Dutton each a glass.

“It was my choice to marry you; I want that made very clear,” my mother says as she enters the room with Aunt Honey. He goes to her, immediately pulling her in for a kiss. He is, in every sense of the word, obsessed with my mother. Although I grew up watching them unable to keep their hands off each other, I can’t imagine myself having the same experience in my own marriage. I just remind myself that Jewel serves a business purpose only. But the fucking is most definitely a perk.

Dawson gravitates to Honey, and she raises on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek.

“So where is she?” my father asks, looking around the room.

I’m not entirely thrilled that she’s late to what’s supposed to be her introduction to my parents. She had a shift tonight, and although we didn’t part on the best of terms last night, I had her swear she’d be here. Then again, when has that woman done anything I’ve told her to do?

“She was probably scared off after her future mother-in-law surprised her at her own home,” Hawke says. Everyone’s eyes grow wide, and realization dawns on him. “Oh shit, that wasn’t common knowledge?”

“Rya! You didn’t, did you?” Honey yells at her sister. “Oh my gosh, the poor girl.”

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