Page 40 of Cruel Vows

“I don’t hate you.”

The words are as soft as a whisper and they surprise me just as much as they surprise him.

“I’ve spent too long holding on to a lot of anger. I don’t want to keep holding on to it anymore. Dad died years ago, and logically, I know that you were doing what you had to. I know he crossed Malcolm. It just hurts.”

Sean swallows hard, his gaze searching mine. “I never should have killed him in front of you. Shouldn’t have spent years making your life hell after it either.”

I nod, knowing that this is the best we’re going to get from each other tonight.

It might not be a relationship mended to the point of friendship, but it’s a start.

“Let’s get a drink,” Sean says, taking my hand and pulling me over to the bar. He flags down the bartender with a look. “One blond beer and one spicy margarita.”

I glance over at him, leaning against the glossy black bar beside him. “You remember my favorite drink?”

“I remember a lot of things about you.”

“How?”

“I may not have been paying the most attention in the world to you, but I was never fully ignoring you, Ellie. Not when I was pretty sure that you would take any opportunity you could to castrate me.”

She laughs as the bartender hands her the drink.

“Well, isn’t this sweet.” Malcolm appears between us, tipping his head in the direction of a dark alcove between two pillars. “Why don’t the two of you come over here with me. I think the three of us have a little business to talk about.”

Sean’s spine stiffens as he takes a long swig of his drink. “We can talk about this later.”

Malcolm shakes his head, his gaze landing on me. “The two of you really are putting on a good show, you know that? I would almost believe that you like each other.”

Sean steps slightly between me and Malcolm. It’s not enough to block either of us from the other, but it’s enough to signal that Sean will get in the middle of whatever is happening if he has to.

I put a hand on Sean’s back, feeling his heart race. “Maybe we should all talk about this later.”

Malcolm’s eyes narrow. “I think you want to hear what I have to say.”

Since it’s clear he’s not going to leave us alone until he says his piece, we follow him to the alcove.

My heart races in my chest, blood rushing in my ears. It feels like the ballroom is growing smaller. The crystal chandeliers could come down at any moment. Columns could topple and the portrait ceiling could collapse.

Malcolm leans against one of the columns. “Whispers are starting to spread already. I knew you worked fast, son, but I was sure that you would at least keep your dick in your pants until the honeymoon phase was over.”

Bile rises in my throat.

Is that why everyone has been staring at us tonight?

Sean sighs, turning to me. “Whatever he’s about to say to you, I have an explanation.”

I swallow hard, already knowing where this is going, but I need to hear it for myself. I need to know exactly how stupid Iwas for thinking maybe this might be more than just two people suffering through a marriage together.

My gaze cuts to Malcolm. “What are you talking about?”

His grin sends my stomach tossing and turning like a boat on the ocean in the middle of a hurricane.

“Oh, Ellie, it seems like my dear son is spending his time having affairs with women at strip clubs.”

I’m such an idiot.

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