14. Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Keaton
“What in the blazes is she wearing? She’s making a fool of you!”
Regina’s accusations went in one ear and out the other. I was too busy watching Layne sitting on the steps in the shade of Saint James with Wentworth and Kingsley, laughing about something. I should’ve been happy that the Dragon was upset with her. After all, that was my objective. I’d deliberately hung Layne out to dry to get back at Regina.
Something nagged at me that felt a lot like guilt. Knowing what it’s like to have the Dragon’s wrath unleashed upon me, I shouldn’t have done that to an unsuspecting Layne.
I fisted my hands in the pockets of my slacks and turned back to Regina. “Her outfits were never part of our agreement.”
“That goes without saying,” she snapped. “You married her so she improves your image, not taints it.”
Taints it? Gritting my teeth, I swallowed all the sarcastic comments that wanted out about how she’d dragged our name through the mud first with her affairs. Not that the media knew about them thanks to our family’s well-paid lawyer, but it was an open secret. “I’ll talk to her.”
“You better, or Lincoln Grady Distillery is history for you.” With that, Regina turned and strutted away.
Dipping my head back, I hauled in a deep breath. One more year, then I’d finally be free.
“Someone’s not happy with your choice.”
I closed my eyes when Tatum stepped up next to me. “That’s the plan.”
Without having to look at my brother, I knew his gaze was boring into me. I could feel the unspoken judgment. That I was using Layne just to achieve my goals. Which I did. It was a mutual exploitation. She got what she wanted, I got what I wanted. Simple as that.
“She reminds me of Soraya.”
I opened my eyes and looked at Tatum. His gaze was fixed on Layne sitting on the stairs. Tatum mentioning his ex-wife took me aback. He never talked about her.
“How so?”
“Her simplicity. Soraya was the same.” Tatum huffed. “Remember how Regina reacted when I announced our engagement?”
Man, sure did. Tatum and Soraya had been high school sweethearts and married right after graduation. Regina had slammed every door in the house for an entire month. Our parents’ home had a lot of doors.
“I could marry Barbie and she wouldn’t be happy,” I commented dryly.
Tatum turned to me, his blue eyes taking me in. “I doubt she would’ve reacted the same with Delilah.”
“Don’t,” I growled.
“Not saying you should’ve married her. Layne’s the right choice. Hope you appreciate your blessing.”
I watched him disappear into the crowd. What was that supposed to mean? Layne wasn’t that much of a jackpot.
Sighing, I pressed my fingers into my closed eyes. If Regina didn’t let me take over Lincoln Grady Distillery because of her delusions . . . Seemed to me she had no intentions of handing LGD over. That she was fishing for all sorts of excuses because she’d much rather have someone like Tatum in that position than a screwup like me. Too bad for her I was the only one interested in taking over.
Dodging people, I stalked to Layne and my younger brothers. I caught her wrist. “We’re leaving.”
She rose and descended the couple steps. Her mouth opened, then snapped shut again as her gaze fixed on something behind me.
I was about to glance over my shoulder when an arm snaked around my waist from behind.
“Hey, sugar,” a smoky voice whispered at my ear.
Delilah.
Turning, I pried her arm away. She wore a tight dress, her red lips contrasting her olive tan and chestnut hair. Thanks to her killer heels, we were almost at eye level. “Delilah, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Layne.”
Shock rippled over her features in a realistic performance to anyone who didn’t know her. “Oh, silly me. I totally forgot that you’re married now. It’s just so strange. One second you’re having an affair with a married woman, the next you’re married yourself.”
Layne’s gaze snapped to me. Apparently she hadn’t heard that story yet.
“A lot has changed,” I said, not willing to rise to the bait. Delilah loved to play games, and there had been a time I would’ve been up for it. Not anymore.
“Mm-hmm, congratulations.” She turned to Layne. “I think you’re very brave for marrying a man like Keaton. He’s hard to satisfy.” Smiling, she sized Layne up. “Should you ever need help or tips, let me know. Nobody knows how to meet his needs better than I do.”
Layne tilted her head. “Thank you, but I didn’t marry him to meet his needs. I married him for his money.”
Delilah’s mask slipped for a split second, and I was rendered just as speechless. Layne’s smile was so innocent that I questioned my hearing.
“You know,” she continued, all serious now, “God is the only One Who can fully meet Keaton’s needs anyway.”
Her gaze locked onto mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. This woman had way more guts than I’d thought.
“That’s right, sis,” Kingsley said, breaking the spell. His entire face was lit up like Glam City at night.
Was it just me or did everyone click with Layne except me? That was the goal, though, wasn’t it? Keeping things transactional. Zero strings.
“Oh, you’re a church girl.” Apparently Delilah had recovered from her shock. “Right up Keaton’s alley.”
“I—Yes, I believe in Jesus.” Layne smiled as if she knew something we didn’t.
Okay, time to break things up before Delilah got nasty. “Let’s go.” Not waiting for anyone to get another word in, I escorted Layne out of the crowd.
“Thank you for sticking to the time frame,” she said, once we were back on the road. The drive to Saint James Cathedral was one of the most scenic on the island. Curvy roads snaked up the mountain, the parts that weren’t covered with thick jungle offering a breathtaking view of the entire island and the ocean. Driving it with an Aston Martin was even more satisfying.
“I’m a man of my word.” I glanced over at Layne. She rested her head against the window, eyes closed. “What were you going to say?”
“Hmm?”
“When Delilah said you’re right up my alley. I know you were going to say something.”
“I did, but it was too rude.”
“Give it to me.”
Layne shifted in her seat. “If she thinks she’s more up your alley than I am, how come the ring is on my finger and not hers? Maybe she’s not that great at meeting your needs after all.”
I barked a laugh. “You’re a savage, you know that?” And I liked it.
“Thanks for the reminder,” Layne muttered. “I’ve been a Christian for seven years, and I still say things like that. It’s wrong.”
“Don’t stop on my account.” Grinning, I braked for the sharp turn ahead and shifted two gears down. “Seven years? I thought you grew up in church.”
“Not really. I mean, I’ve always believed in God, but didn’t surrender my life to Him until I was in my mid-twenties.” She cleared her throat. “There was actually a time I would’ve been right up your alley. Or at least more than I am now.”
“Oh yeah? How so?”
“I worked hard and played hard. Traveled, partied. Probably not on your level, but still.”
“Wouldn’t have guessed that.” I shot another glance her way. Nah, definitely didn’t strike me as the partying type.
“Pigeon-holing people is dangerous, hubby. I could be a serial killer, and you wouldn’t know if I didn’t want you to.”
“True, thanks for the heads-up, wifey.”
Layne chuckled. “Speaking of people up your alley. Was Delilah not good enough for your image? You guys seem . . . comfortable with each other.”
Seriously, why did everyone drag Delilah into this? “We don’t work as a couple.”
“Does she share this opinion?”
“She’s never voiced anything else.” That’s why I’d allowed her to stick around. Because she’d wanted to keep it casual, too.
“There are other ways to convey interest,” Layne said.
“Meaning?”
In my peripheral vision, I saw her shrug. “She seemed possessive, which usually means someone has strong feelings. But maybe I was imagining things.”
I sniffed. “She’s just playing games.”
“If you say so.”
Smirking, I turned to Layne. “You jealous?”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Do I need to be?”
“Nah, I’m all yours, baby.”
“Yay, lucky me,” she muttered.
I laughed. Man, I loved that savage side of hers. “C’mon, I can’t be that bad.”
“I don’t know about that. I mean, you’re attractive, I’ll give you that.”
“Did you just admit that you find me attractive?”
“Well, I have eyes in my head and am a hot-blooded female, so yeah, I do find you attractive.”
When I once again glanced over, I saw a blush tinting her cheeks. I grinned. “Appreciate the honesty.”
“I can give you more of that. Your big ego kinda destroys that attractiveness.”
“Ouch. That might’ve been a little too honest.”
Layne sighed. “I’m kidding. So far you’ve been very generous.” All humor had fled her voice. Did she still feel like she bled me dry by living in my house and eating my food?
“Do I have any other qualities?” I asked.
“Um . . . Oh, yeah. You’ve got great taste when it comes to cars.”
“I know I do, but that doesn’t count.”
Layne slapped her thighs. “Sorry, bud, that’s all I got. I hope I’ll know you better by the time we have the marriage green card interview.”
Bud? Couldn’t remember a woman ever calling me that. She really didn’t like me, did she? “Fair enough.”
We definitely had to learn more about each other before then, or she’d get deported to Switzerland. Frankly, something about Layne intrigued me enough that I wanted to get to know her better. She definitely wasn’t who I’d expected.
Guess I was about to find out whether she was a bonanza or a Pandora’s box.