Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 132951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“The photographers are set up in the gardens. The wedding party should meet us out there in ten minutes.” Her gaze shifts to me, and I wish I could read her expression. “Welcome to the family, Mildred.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
Julian holds out a hand to Isabelle.
“Izzy will meet you out there. She’s part of the wedding party,” Connor tells him.
Julian smiles tightly. “Of course. I’ll see you shortly.” He kisses Isabelle on the cheek and follows Courtney and Duncan out of the room.
“I hope he gets wasted and passes out early,” she mutters into her glass.
I snort a laugh.
Her eyes go wide. “I’m just joking, obviously.”
“Feed them shots. They won’t know their ass from their armpit by the time dinner is over,” Connor suggests flatly.
Photographs with the wedding party are full of laughter, and even my usually broody husband is all smiles as his teammates gather around him. I hope he feels like he’s part of them today. I want what’s happening between us, temporary or not, to show him that this team can give him the support and friendship he needs, just like they have for me.
The wedding party is then excused while Courtney directs the family photos. They’re stiff and a little unpleasant, and then things get awkward when she decides they should have some mother-and-daughter photos.
“Are they serious with this?” I ask Connor.
“Oh yeah.” He grabs two glasses of champagne and passes me one.
“But this is our wedding.”
“They’re paying for the photographer, though.”
Courtney calls Julian and Bryson over so they can pose with Isabelle and Portia.
It astounds me that they can leave him out so easily. “Would you like Connor and me to join the sibling photos?” I call out.
Courtney startles.
Connor snorts a laugh into his champagne glass.
“Oh! Yes! Of course.”
I down my champagne and spend the rest of the photo session inserting Connor and myself into every single one of them, because fuck his parents for leaving him out at his own damn wedding.
CHAPTER 24
DRED
Connor links his arm with mine as we walk back toward the hotel. “This reception is as much a business meeting as it is a flex,” he explains, his voice low.
“Of course it is.”
“All of my parents’ contacts are attending, and some of them will be exceptionally interested in you.”
“In an unfriendly way?” I ask.
“Mm, exactly.” He rubs the center of my palm with his thumb. “So I might be annoyingly attentive this evening. I apologize in advance.”
“You’re my husband. You’re supposed to be annoyingly attentive,” I remind him.
His nostrils flare, and his gaze darkens. He brings my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it. “I’m glad you feel that way, wife.”
The moment we step into the reception hall, the introductions begin.
Connor keeps a protective, possessive hand on my lower back as his father and mother introduce us to influential person after influential person.
Anytime someone asks when he’s giving up hockey to join the hotel empire—which is often—he deflects and asks them pointed questions about their own children and their career goals. The answer is often the same: They’ve joined the family business, of course.
Connor has spent his entire adult life defending his choice to play professional hockey. Yet they can’t fathom why he would choose this path when the one laid out for him makes so much more sense. Every introduction paints a more vivid picture: He’s a beautiful villain. And he’s mine.
“Now that you’re married, are you planning to quit hockey?” a bigwig in finance named Martin asks.
“Not until the league stops offering me contracts,” Connor replies coolly.
“It’s a rather violent sport,” Martin muses.
“So is the world of finance,” he retorts with an arrogant smile.
Martin chuckles. “Well, you won’t end up with gaps in your smile from running a hotel business.”
“My son might, since he tends to enjoy pushing buttons,” Duncan says with a hint of warning.
“Especially yours, Father,” Connor quips.
“Oh my gosh! Dred, your wedding is amazing! This is so cool! Thank you so much for inviting us!” Everly drapes herself over me like a blanket. Victor stands behind her with his hands in his pockets, wearing an apologetic smile.
“I’m so glad you could make it. Where’s Cordelia?” I glance around for the group home’s primary contact and guardian.
“She had to use the bathroom. They have an attendant in there who hands you a paper towel and cleans the sink after each person uses it. Like whoa.” She makes a mind-blown gesture. “I didn’t even know that was a thing. You look like a princess. Do you like my dress?”
“I love your dress.” It’s very nineties prom and completely suits her personality.
“I got to buy a brand-new one! We didn’t even go to a consignment shop. And Victor got a suit and people pinned it while he was wearing it!” She sucks in a breath.
“Did you have fun picking it out?” I’m halfway to tears at her excitement. I sent money to Cordelia at the group home so they could get something to wear.