Page 17 of 4 Weddings and a Feud

Alex shrugged. “I know everything that goes on in my hotel.”

“I kept my pants on.” Rafe shot a pleading gaze at Mary. “I promise.”

“Too bad you can’t tell in that shot,” Alex said. He was enjoying her brother’s discomfort far too much.

“Fuck you.” Rafe looked like he wanted to hurl the phone at Alex, but he only shoved it roughly into the front of his dress shirt. “Delete those, like I told the modeling agency people to do.”

Alex looked down at the phone, a devilish smile curling his lips. “I don’t think so. These photos bring me far too much enjoyment.”

Usually, Rafe was the steady one, but this time, Michael held him back. The tendons in Rafe’s neck stood out, and his face had gone almost purple. “Fuck you and your bullshit! Delete those, or so help me, I’ll take a mallet to your phone!”

Mary planted her hands on the lapels of Alex’s sport coat and pushed him back a couple of steps. “That’s enough, Alex,” she hissed.

Alex blinked down at her like he’d just remembered she was there. “I, um, I guess I got carried away.”

“I guess you did.” Why had he whipped out those photos? Though in a way, she was glad he had. It reminded her that Rafe was still her younger brother and, apparently, still needed protecting. Why had he posed shirtless for the modeling agency? Why had he agreed to pose for them at all? And why hadn’t he let her review whatever release he’d signed? She was the only one of them who’d taken college-level business classes. Unlike Rafe, she dealt with contracts every day.

Which was why she had to narrow her focus to where it was needed: her family. No more partnerships or big weddings. She could plan Teagan’s and Cierra’s weddings while she got the boys and the shop in order, but that was all.

Alex began, “Look, I’m sorry…”

Mary plucked the cake topper off the desk and folded it into its bubble wrap, then carefully nestled it back into its box. She handed it to him. “I can’t do this. I need to look after my brothers. And my own business here.”

“But you?—”

“No. I can’t,” she repeated. She’d been distracted at the wedding expo, and that had caused all this trouble.

“What am I going to do without you?” His brown eyes deepened, threatening to suck her in.

“Not her problem.” Michael stepped forward. “Now get out of our fucking shop.”

“Mary?” Alex held the box between them as if hoping she’d take it back.

“I’m sorry, Alex. You’d better go. Find someone else to plan the wedding.”

His jaw hardened, and it was like he’d drawn a shade over his pleading brown eyes. They went cold and glittery. “Fine. I will.” He turned on the heel of his shiny loafers and walked out, the bell dinging merrily as the door swung shut behind him.

Deliberately, Mary turned her back and didn’t watch Alex’s fine ass walk toward his Ferrari. “You okay, Rafe?”

“Yeah. I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Find me that release you signed, and I’ll call the modeling agency.”

“Thanks.”

Mary reached for him and pulled him close. “I’m always here for you. Don’t forget it.”

He rested his chin on the top of her head. “Thank you. Michael, you want in on this? Mary gives the best hugs.”

“Nah, I’m good. Try to stay out of fucking trouble, okay?” He opened the shop door.

Rafe’s arms tightened around her. “Yeah. Okay. Sorry.”

Mary held Rafe a little longer. “It’ll be okay. We’re family, and we’ve got each other’s backs.”

“Family,” Rafe repeated. “I can always count on you.”

“Always.”

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