Page 70 of Malicious Marriage
I’m done for.
“Aren’t you Dean Savoy?” Malcom’s gun drops lower still. “What the hell is aSavoydoing in my kitchen?”
“Who are you?” Dean demands, his voice tight and his words coming out sharp like bullets.
“Malcom. Malcom Byrne.”
“Oh, right. Uncle.” Dean clicks his tongue behind his teeth. “Are you really that surprised to find me here? We got married yesterday. Typically, newlyweds spend their first night together.”
“Married?” Malcom’s shock is painfully obvious and his mouth hangs open as his eyes dart between us.
“You’re… surprised?” Dean slowly turns to face me as confusion etches across his face. “You didn’t tell your uncle you were getting married?”
Shit! Fucking shit, fuck!
I can’t think. My mind is like a broken record stuck in a groove and nothing passes through my thoughts except panic. I have no excuse. I have no reason. I have absolutely nothing to defend myself because as soon as my uncle reveals that he disowned me and kicked me out of the family, it’s over.
My life. My search for Hailey. My relationship with Dean. All of it is over.
Ryan was right. A family like the Savoys will never allow Dean to remain married to someone who has been disowned. The stain of shame is too great and Dean will not only divorce me, but he’ll likely publicly disown me and make sure that no one can help me ever again.
“I—” I can’t speak. No words rise. It’s like something has a grip on my throat, preventing me from doing anything other than staring at Dean in desperation.
Suddenly, Malcom speaks. “How silly of me!”
We both glance over at him.
“I would forget my own head if it wasn’t attached. I’ve been traveling on business for so long that I couldn’t even tell you what month it is. Of course Clover told me she was marryingaSavoy. I thought it was next month, but…” He puffs out his cheeks and laughs loudly. “It’s already the end of May? Shit, Clover. I’m so sorry. I was so sure I’d made it back home in time.”
What? What the hell is he saying?
Dean relaxes somewhat and offers a tight, wary smile. “Understandable. Time zones play havoc on keeping track of dates.”
“You’re telling me.” Malcom claps his hands together and his grin widens. “Honestly, I can’t believe I missed the ceremony! I bet it was just outstanding. I’m barely even part of the family anymore with how often I’m traveling.”
“Quiet,” I choke out. “It was quiet.” What is happening? Did I wake up in some kind of alternative reality? The last time Malcom and I saw each other, he was screaming in my face about how much he hated me and how he wanted me to crawl off to the sewers and die. Now he’s acting like we’re family?
“Ahh, well, still wonderful, I bet. God, I can’t believe I missed it.”
“Don’t worry,” Dean says. “Your congratulations are enough.”
“Yeah, sorry about the whole—” Malcom motions to his gun. “I only landed a few hours ago. Jet lag and the surprise at seeing someone here, y’know.”
“Don’t mention it.” Dean’s hand slides into mine and his smile grows. “I’m sure Clover is just happy to have you back in one piece.”
“Yeah.” I force myself to smile. “It’s so good to see you, Uncle.”
His smile widens. “Oh, I bet it is.”
“Especially with Hailey missing,” Dean continues, and his words are like a knife to the heart. “I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you.”
Malcom’s eyes dart between us as he nods. “Yeah. Hailey. Such a shame.”
I don’t understand what the hell is going on. Why is he just agreeing and acting like everything is fine? I don’t know if I should be grateful or scared. Maybe both.
“Actually, Dean.” I squeeze his hand and pull him an inch closer. “I don’t know if you had plans today for us or anything, but I’d really like to catch up with my uncle, so maybe we can meet up later.”
“Of course.” Dean’s smile grows easy when he looks in my eyes and he cups my cheek. “I’ll be just a phone call away. Let me know when you’re done.”
