Page 10 of Between Now and Always

“Let me get rid of the guests. We can have the ceremony in private.”

I laugh. “You can do what you want. Nothing could make me marry the man who’s responsible for my brother’s death.”

He blinks, genuine surprise flickers across his face.

“What are you talking about?”

“Shit,” Phil says and looks over his shoulder quickly. “Duke’s coming down the aisle. The best thing for everyone is for this tonotend with a loud scene,” he says.

I nod in agreement. “Can you get me out of here?” I ask him.

“Liz, what the fuck?” Duke explodes through the door, his face is mottled red by fury.

He comes to stand in front of me, so close I can smell the perfume of whoever left the smudge of pink lipstick that’s still on the corner of his mouth.

God, he’ssucha cliché.

I step away but keep my eyes on his so he can see that it’s revulsion, not fear, propelling me.

“You can go straight to hell,” I snarl at him.

“Elisabeth, you owe us an explanation, now,” My father demands angrily.

I don’t take my eyes off Duke. “Will Oh was here,” I say.

“So? What does he have to do with anything?” Duke’s eyes bulge with anger.

“I know it was you who called James that night. He was talking to Will and told him what you said.”

Duke’s face pales and he takes a step back.

“He’s lying.” His eyes swing to my father and grows even paler.

“You told James that I was hurt and your car had a flat. You lured him to his death. And when my father blamed me, you didn’t say a word.” I deliver the accusation with a challenge, daring him to deny it.

His anxious gaze darts to my father, and he grows even paler. I glance at my dad. He’s glaring at Duke, his expression ice cold and furious.

Duke’s cheeks go from pale to florid and he rears back in indignation. “You bitch,” he snarls.

“That’s better than being a vile, mediocre man who has to drug girls for sex and marry them for money.”

Phil snickers and the covers it with a cough. I don’t take my eyes off the pit viper standing in front of me.

“You will regret that,” he hisses.

“Elisabeth, stop this nonsense,” my father snaps.

“I answer to Beth. And didn’t you hear what I said?”

“Yes, and it doesn’t matter. Youoweme,” he growls.

“You motherfucker,” Phil’s oath is low but dangerously dark and my father narrows his eyes at him but doesn’t say anything.

“Liz, this is a misunderstanding. Let’s go ahead like we planned. You promised,” Duke pleads.

I turn my contempt filled gaze on him. “My brother isdeadbecause of you. But I’d rather starve than let you profit from it.”

Fiona and my grandmother step out of the sanctuary, now.

---