Epilogue
TWO MONTHS LATER
~Archer~
“ S o, you’re getting hitched.” My cousin Matt, along with Luke Williams and Shawn O’Callaghan, stand with me at the O’Callaghan Museum of Glass, all holding pints of Guinness as we watch some of the ladies dancing to the music the DJ plays for us.
Anastasia and Kane insisted on hosting our engagement party here at the museum. Elena was hesitant because having a party like this meant we’d be obligated to invite her family, but the Martinellis seem to be having a good time, mingling with the Montgomerys. Despite several members of my family being part of law enforcement.
I know Carlo and the cousins won’t try anything shady on a night meant to celebrate Elena. They love her too much for that.
And Carlo and I have had several private conversations, and he’s assured me that he respects me too much to go against his word of not doing my family harm.
As shady as Carlo can be, I trust that he’ll keep his promise.
“He can’t keep his eyes off her,” Shawn says. “I’d say it’s a damn good thing he’s marrying her.”
“She’s the best thing in the world,” I confirm. Luke grins as he watches his wife, Natalie, dancing.
“I understand completely,” he says. A woman walking nearby catches his eye, and he motions for her to join us. “This is perfect timing. Shawn, I’d like to introduce you to N?—”
“Lexi Perry,” the woman interrupts, shaking her head slightly at Luke and giving Shawn her attention. Shawn’s eyes light up at the sight of the beautiful redhead.
“I asked Ms. Perry to come to town on business, and thought it was rude of me to leave her alone in the city this evening,” Luke continues. “So, I invited her here. After checking with our hosts, of course.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say with a nod. “Welcome.”
“Congratulations,” she replies and shakes my hand. “I was hesitant to crash the party, but Natalie and Luke assured me it would be okay. And I have to say, your family is incredibly welcoming.”
“We always have room for more,” I reply. “What do you do, Lexi?”
“I’m a writer.”
I feel Shawn stiffen beside me. “Oh? Shawn’s also a writer. What do you write?”
“Novels,” she says and turns to Shawn, but he holds up a hand, stopping her.
“I’m not here to entertain any new projects tonight,” he says.
Lexi’s face goes from friendly to cold in a heartbeat. Luke sighs. I can feel in my gut that something just went very wrong.
“That’s convenient,” Lexi replies. “I’m not here to pitch a project to you, Mr. O’Callaghan. I know who you are, but it’s not terribly important to me. I do fine all on my own. Have a good night, gentlemen.”
She nods and walks away in her tight black cocktail dress and mile-high shoes.
“So, that was Nora Perry,” Luke says, sipping his drink. Shawn’s face whips around to stare at Luke.
“She said her name was Lexi.”
“Nora is her pen name,” Luke says and slaps Shawn on the shoulder. “You just managed to insult the woman you’ll be working with starting on Monday.” Luke turns to me. “Congratulations again, Archer. Elena is beautiful and lovely, and we can’t wait for the wedding. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
He walks away, leaving Matt and I with a stunned Shawn.
“So, you’re gonna be working with her, huh?” Matt asks.
“Buggering hell,” Shawn growls, the Irish accent kicking up with agitation as he stomps off in the direction Lexi headed.
Matt and I laugh as we watch him leave, and then he takes a sip of his beer.
“I’ve been pretty pissed at you, man,” he says.
“Why’s that?”
“Jase told me how beat up you were when he came to clean you up. You should have fucking called me.”
“They broke my phone,” I say. Our eyes scan the crowd as we talk. “And you and I both know I had to handle that myself. I needed to end it once and for all.”
“Could have died.”
“I didn’t.”
But, God, it felt like I might have when I was in the thick of it.
“I don’t like that their family is going to be tied to ours.”
“I’ve already handled that, as well.”
He watches me for a long moment. “I’ll still keep my eyes open.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
“Is she worth it?”
“And more.” I tap my glass to his. “She’s worth everything.”
The End