Page 35 of Devious Kingpin
“Let’s go,” she gritted, her voice trembling.
Without another word, I led Juliette inside where the party was already in full swing. The guests mingled, but the moment we appeared, the voices lowered a few notches. I’d wager the two of us were a topic of quite a few circles tonight.
The Ashfords. The Kings. The Russos. The Nikolaevs. And of course, the DiLustros and Brennans.
Everyone who was someone was here.
“Ah, my cousin and his new bride.” Emory rushed toward us with a tight smile. “Thanks for coming.”
Juliette gave her a tight smile. “Happy birthday, Emory.” My wife handed her a gift bag. “Open it when you’re alone,” she suggested.
Emory’s cheeks blushed. “God, I never know what I’m getting with you.”
“You and me both,” Juliette replied, her tone more than a little dry.
“Oh my gosh, show me the ring,” Emory exclaimed, clapping her hands and smiling widely but guilt passed her expression. She hid it well, accustomed to hiding her emotions as well as Priest. We spent a lot of time together growing up, so it was easy to recognize her nervous signs. To anyone else, she looked to be in her element.
Strong. Badass. And fearless.
I scoffed in my head. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t recognized it until now. Emory was just like Juliette.
Juliette reluctantly offered up her hand, the diamond sparkling under the lights of the chandeliers in the large hosting room. I considered my wife as she kept a forced smile on her lips. Her face was heart shaped, and her dark hair was in stark contrast to her pale skin and those sapphire-blue eyes.
“Do you like it?” Emory asked softly. “It belonged to Dante’s grandma. She was a sweetheart.”
It was the only piece of jewelry my mother couldn’t get her hands on. Thank fuck. Or it would have all been gone.
“It’s lovely,” Juliette answered but enthusiasm couldn’t be found on her face. My cousin flicked a fleeting glance at me, exasperation in her eyes. She hated that she was a part of my plan.
Then Juliette’s brows furrowed in thought. “How did you happen to have it here? In Vegas?”
Emory’s smile faltered, but before she could say anything, I jumped in. “Emory held them for safekeeping.”
Pulling my wife away from my cousin, we made our way past the rest of the guests and stopped in front of her father, brother, and her stepmother-slash-friend. While Liam and Killian carried grim expressions, Davina smiled and hugged her friend.
As they hugged, Killian shot a glare my way. If looks could kill, I’d be dead. Not even twenty-four hours after I had finally gotten an “I do” from Juliette Brennan.
Liam kept his eyes on me, keeping his expression unreadable. When Juliette pulled away from Davina, he turned his attention to her and his expression softened.
“Jules, I’m glad you came,” he said, pulling her into a hug. “I was sharp with you this morning, but I am happy for you.” My wife pressed her cheek against his chest. “I just wish you hadn’t gone about marrying without the family present.” Juliette paled slightly, but she didn’t comment. “I talked to the hotel and some guests here,” he continued, his tone softer. “We’ll have a wedding ceremony tomorrow and a small reception. No daughter of mine will have a Vegas drive-through wedding.”
“Drive-through?” she asked, her brows furrowed, and this time Liam glared at me too.
“Yes,” Killian hissed. “You sent us the pictures of your drive-through wedding.”
I wished I had confiscated her phone that night. Unfortunately, Juliette reacted unexpectedly to the drug Priest slipped into her drink. She loosened up, raved about how handsome I was and how she wanted to memorize my face. She even smiled at me affectionately, patting my abs and trying to take my clothes off.
Of course, I wouldn’t let her. She was too high. I wanted her to remember every time I touched her. I wanted her sober and conscious.
“Jesus,” my wife muttered. “I’m swearing off alcohol for good.”
“About time,” Liam grumbled.
Juliette inhaled a deep breath. “About the wedding, I’d rather not.”
Liam waved his hand. “Nonsense. We’re doing it.”
“Liam, if they don’t want to—” Killian started to argue before being interrupted.
