Page 17 of Dearly Betrayed

“I agree, but that doesn’t change anything.”

Mother looks older than the last time I saw her. That’s objectively true, but this is the first time I’m really noticing. Her hair’s grayer, her wrinkles are deeper, and she seems tired. The bite’s not there anymore. Adler tells me she haunts the Sunrise like a ghost of the old days, and while everyone loves her, she’s not half the force she used to be. I’m not sure how I feel about that. My mother’s an enormous presence in my memory, both warm and cold at the same time, sharp when she needed to be but soft enough to balance out our father’s edges. Now she looks like a person, not a myth anymore, and I can’t help but think I’ve lost something.

“I’m fine, Mother. Don’t worry about me.”

She’s quiet for a moment before she stands. “You’re the last of my boys to get married. I don’t love that it’s happening under these circumstances, but the others have been lucky. Adler, Conlan, even Erick, they all stumbled into a wife they adore. Maybe you’ll have the same thing happen to you.”

I picture Fallon walking across the lobby wearing those tights clinging to her gorgeous ass and the t-shirt that hugged her full chest. It was the simplest outfit imaginable, but the moment I saw her, my blood was singing with a need I’ve never felt before. Those pouty lips, that lovely red hair, and those light green eyes—she’s beyond beautiful, the sort of woman I want to conquer, over and over.

Too bad I fucked up my chances already.

Too bad I despise her with all my heart.

The stench of Jackson’s blood drifts into my mind every time I think about wanting more with Fallon.

“I don’t think so,” I say as Mother fusses with my jacket. She smooths the lapels and gives me a sad smile.

“I hope you’re wrong. Good luck today, darling. I’m glad all four of my boys are under this roof again. It’s been too long.”

“It’s nice being home,” I say and I mean it. “I missed you.”

She kisses my cheek and leaves. I finish getting ready before heading downstairs to the chapel where Conlan, Erick, Adler, and their wives are already waiting. The girls are fussing with flowers and making the place pretty, while my brothers are discreetly pouring drinks from metal flasks.

I accept mine and throw it back.

“Easy there,” Conlan says with a grin. “You still need to perform today.”

“Nobody’s performing,” I tell him. “We’re saying the words and getting this shit over with.”

“Not going to consummate?” Adler asks with a bawdy grin.

“Not happening.”

“It will,” Erick says with a sage nod.

“It won’t.” I grab the drink from Conlan’s hand and sip it. “Where are the Irish?”

“Coming soon,” Adler says and walks over to help his wife string up some lights before insisting that she take a seat. She ignores him like she always does, but it’s nice to see my big brother care about his wife so much. Whenever she’s around, he’s always doing his best to make her more comfortable, even if Casey’s the kind of woman who doesn’t want the help, and only grudgingly accepts it from him.

Another half hour passes before I’m standing up front. There aren’t many on the Grady side of the aisle, only the brother, Rian, and a few of his soldiers, all of them looking unhappy about this turn of events. Not that I can blame them. It’s a shit deal. But they’re not the ones getting hitched. Though I suspect any one of them would kill to have a woman like Fallon.

My brothers are lined up at my elbow. Adler’s in the best man spot, since he’s the Don. Conlan leans forward as the wedding march plays. “You ready, bro?” he whispers. “I think you’ll like this part.”

“What the hell does that mean?” I ask.

“The kissing. Gonna use tongue?”

“You sick mother—” but Hellie shushes me from the seats before I can finish as everyone stands.

The doors open. My palms sweat, and I want this to be over with.

Fallon floats into the room and it’s like a window opens to sunshine.

My jaw drops and all thoughts leave my mind.

She looks like heaven. The dress is flowy, flowery, and drapes from her body in the exact right places. Hips, breasts, mouth, fuck, hair, everything?—

I stare at my wife as she walks toward me and my heart starts to race into my throat.

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