Page 86 of Dex

Oscar Ramos.There is more to this man and his story with Daniela, and I intend to find out exactly what the hell it is.

The rest of the night goes well.The wedding reception is flawless, a perfectly orchestrated spectacle, just as expected.

Daniela and I make our rounds, shaking hands, smiling, playing the role we’ve been assigned, of the happily married golden couple.She’s a natural at this, slipping effortlessly between Portuguese and English, charming guests, introducing me with that well-practiced grace of hers.

When we reach the Knights’ table, Cari stands to hug Daniela.“We must get together and do something,” Cari says warmly.Brooke tugs at Daniela’s dress, beaming up at her.“You look really pretty.”

Jett offers a firm handshake, murmuring his congratulations.The rest of them all follow suit, Zach, Matteo and Enzo.

“Where’s Rio?”I ask, seeing the empty chair.

“Having fun.”Matteo points casually to one corner of the room.Rio is deep in conversation with Raquel.Sonofabitch didn’t waste much time there.

My father clears his throat.“Wonderful, wonderful reception.Beautiful wedding,” he announces, his voice cutting through the hum of conversation.Beside me, I sense Daniela’s shoulders stiffen.I don’t blame her.Compliments from my father always come with strings attached.

“And now, I’d like to announce a surprise gift for you both,” the old man continues, brushing imaginary lint from his sleeve.

“A surprise?”I don’t like the sound of this one bit.

My father keeps talking.“Such a beautiful wedding.The least I could do was arrange a beautiful honeymoon for you both.”

A what, now?What the hell is he talking about?He specifically stated there was to be no honeymoon.

“A honeymoon?”Daniela whispers.She places her hand on the back of a chair, her fingers gripping tightly.

“I thought we were going back to New York,” I snap.

My father shakes his head.“No, no.You newlyweds deserve and should enjoy your honeymoon.”

We will?I almost ask him to repeat himself.He’s changing the plan, the same plan he laid out in explicit detail through an email, the one that had clear instructions: there was to be a wedding, a brief reception, and then we all return home.

We were supposed to have breakfast tomorrow with Daniela’s family, before flying back on the private jet.This was always supposed to be a lightning-fast trip, despite the distance, but things have now changed.

Now, there’s a honeymoon.

I’m completely blindsided.And suspicious, too.My father doesn’t do anything because it’s a nice gesture.He’s motivated by greed and I have to wonder, how does he stand to benefit from this?

“Why?”Daniela asks, a slight tremor in her voice.I suspect it for the same reason I feel unnerved.Neither of us had a honeymoon on our radar.My father gives her a long, unreadable look.“It’s a wedding, Daniela.And honeymoons always follow.”

That smile, it sends a chill down my spine.I know that smile.It means he’s holding back information, making moves behind the scenes.

“We were all supposed to return home together,” I say, forcing my voice to stay level.I don’t like the way my father has suddenly changed the terms.In answer, he just smooths his hand over his tie.“My assistant will have emailed you a copy of the resort.It’s private, and exclusive.Take time off, enjoy yourselves.We’ll speak later.”

Daniela looks at me, and I want to reassure her, because, just like that, our plans have been rewritten.We’re not going home.Instead, we’re stuck here, trapped in a luxury honeymoon we never planned,.

I don’t like surprises.

And I don’t trust this one.

***

DANI

We reach the small private villa my parents arranged for our wedding night.I wish they hadn’t.Between them and Paul Knight, it seems our parents aren’t making it easy for us.

The driver has already dropped off our overnight bags and now as we walk inside, this is all too real.We’re here, alone, just the two of us.

The villa is an open-plan space, modern yet intimate, with soft lighting and wide glass doors leading to a terrace.The centerpiece of this place is a massive four-poster bed, draped in sheer, billowing fabric that catches in the warm night breeze.Romantic and clearly designed for newlyweds.

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