Page 49 of Wed to the Devil

Burn bows his head ever so slightly. Then he sweeps his gaze over the table. “Where should we sit?”

Remy looks at Dare’s father and motions to him. “Trip, move down. Give Burn your seat.”

“What?” Tripp howls. “He can sit at the end of the table!”

Remy gives Tripp a dour glance. He raises his hand, pointing it to the end of the table. “Don't make me repeat myself.”

Tripp grimaces and then stands up, shoving his seat back so hard that it falls over. He stomps away, grabbing his wineglass and guzzling its contents, looking for all the world as if he were an oversized child. Burn taps the young man sitting in the next seat on the shoulder and the man jumps up, like a puppet that was yanked up by his marionette strings.

Burn sits down in the seat closest to Remy, letting Daisy seat herself. He leans in, looking around the table with a mischievous smirk. I drop my eyes to my plate just in time for him to focus on me.

“I didn't think you would be here, Talia. It's so nice to see you,” he purrs.

My cheeks go red but I just lift my gaze and glare at Dare's twin. It's hard to believe that they are even related even though they share a face. I don't say anything, I just look at Burn, trying not to give too much away.

Dare moves his seat closer to mine and slides his arm around my shoulders, his gesture either protective or possessive depending on how you see it. He bares his teeth at his brother, silently warning him.

Burn snorts and grabs Daisy's hand, pulling it into his lap.

A flash of annoyance crosses Dare's features. He looks at Daisy. “Did my brother tell you that he was caught trying to undress my fiancé? Against her will, I might add. If he had his way, he would be a rapist.”

Daisy's jaw drops. A dark and ominous cloud rolls over Burn, turning his glare into a spiteful look.

“That’s a dirty lie,” he hisses.

“It isn't. Ask anyone who was there that day. At the house that day. Burn tried to force himself on Talia. He can deny it if he wants to, but I think we all know the truth.”

Dare's face says that he takes no pleasure in the accusation he levels. Burn growls, his gaze shifting to me. He starts to stand up, as if he is going to move to come around the table and get me. Dare stands up, unbuttoning his coat.

“Enough!” Remy bellows. “You two arguing about women is so fucking stupid. What a foolish thing for you to be at each other's throats about.”

Dare and Burn keep glaring at each other and Remy raises both hands, pulling them down in a be seated gesture. “Sit down, you idiots.”

As if pulled by forces beyond their own control, Dare and Burn both sink down into their seats. I can feel all eyes on me just now, staring at me, trying to figure out what my actual worth is. Basically, am I worthy of Burn's attention?

My lips thin and I grab Dare's hand, squeezing it tightly.

Remy sits back, his expression one of displeasure. “Get this food out of my face. Come on, come clear off the table.”

Several food runners step forward, taking it all away. Then Remy puts his elbows on the table, leaning his head on his hands. He looks from one grandson to the other, his lips pursing.

“Dare, what did you call us here for today?”

I notice that he makes no reference to Burn's aggressive attempt to kiss me andundress me. Of course, I never expected Remy to give a shit about that. I am just a silly pawn in Burn's game as far as Remy is concerned.

Dare puts his arm around my shoulders, challenging Burn to touch me with a glare. “I'm so glad you asked, Remy. Talia and I would like to announce that we are having a formal wedding in a week.”

My eyebrows shoot up. I look at Dare, my eyes wide. If I am surprised, Daisy and Burn are aghast. Daisy audibly scoffs and Burn bleats out a laugh.

“You gotta be kidding me,” he mutters.

“Nope, Dare says. “And now that our wedding is going to be so soon, I am actively trying to get Talia pregnant. We fuck like bunnies, practically day and night. Isn't that right, darling?”

My face goes red as a beet and I stare at my husband in horror.

What is he thinking?

Remy stands up, grabbing his cane. He leans over and claps Dare on the shoulder. “Atta boy. Congratulations on pulling ahead in the race to win my shares of the company. I thought that you were going to be single forever because your mother didn't raise you right. But it seems that this little competition for inheritance has fixed that.”

---