Page 76 of 4 Weddings and a Feud

He’d just picked up his third scotch from Elton when Rochelle towed her father up to him.

“Hello, Alex,” she said.

“Congratulations on your wedding.” Alex cleared his throat. “I’m sorry it didn’t go as planned.”

“No one will ever forget it.” She shrugged. “I’m just glad to be married. And my father has something to say to you.”

Ray sucked his teeth. Then he said, “I’m sorry, Villa. I know it wasn’t your fault the power went out.”

Alex blinked his eyes wide. It wasn’t?

Ray continued, “I appreciate the creativity with which you resolved the problem. The ceremony really was beautiful.”

“I—it wasn’t me,” he admitted. “Mary Forza had the idea for the candlelit ceremony. And her brother Michael fixed the generator.”

Ray twisted his mouth. “As I recall, you and the Forzas haven’t always gotten along.”

“We had a disagreement back when we were all younger.”

“Good to see that you got past it. Seeing your collaboration with the Forzas gives me hope that you and the other owners on the Strip can come together to revitalize the Paradise.”

Alex’s heart pinged like one of the slot machines downstairs. “The Paradise? You mean?—”

“I spoke hastily earlier, and I regret it.” Ray Richardson’s hand landed heavily on his shoulder. “I admire how you all worked together to ensure Rochelle married the man of her dreams.”

“When I got cold feet,” Rochelle said, “Mary reminded me of why I wanted to marry Rohaan in the first place.”

She did?“And what reason was that?”

“I’m a better person when I’m with him.”

Was Alex a better person with Mary? He’d felt amazing when they were together in San Diego. Like his burdens were lighter once he shared them with her. But he hated how out of control he felt tonight. How bile rose in his stomach and his eyes prickled.

Emotions made him weak. He’d known the danger of allowing Mary behind his defenses. He’d resisted letting anyone close for exactly this reason. With Mary, he’d done exactly what he’d laughed at so many others for doing. He’d allowed his feelings to get in the way of his business.

He’d endangered what he wanted most in the world: to tear down the Paradise, that symbol of his shame.

He stood up straight, willing the hard shell to re-form over his vulnerability. Despite what Ray thought, Alex was better off on his own. But he didn’t have to share that conviction with him. “At La Villa, we have a whatever-it-takes attitude to ensure our guests’ comfort and enjoyment,” he said. “That will be our mantra at La Villa Prime, as well. I’ll make the property a star on the Strip again. I’ll rebuild it into a world-class resort.”

“You’re committed to the city, and the Strip?” Richardson asked. “Can I count on you to work with us for everyone’s success?”

Mary had taught him that. How to combine his strengths with hers to make something better than he alone could have done. Alex’s heart felt blackened and blistered like the wall in the other ballroom. “Of course.”

“Then you have my vote in favor of the purchase,” the older man said.

Alex waited for the satisfying feeling of a missing piece slotting into place. It never came. Instead, the empty pit inside him deepened.

He was hungry, like Mary said. Or stressed. Or too focused on this wedding to enjoy the victory. He half-wished he could tell Mary the news.

But he couldn’t. He’d burned that bridge.

Tomorrow morning, he’d tell his mother instead. She’d be proud of him. Thenhe’d feel whole.

He forced a smile onto his face. “Thank you. You won’t regret it.”

Regret.That couldn’t be what muffled the elation he should be feeling.

ChapterThirty

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