Chapter 16 Allie #2
I hope he doesn’t expect me to fall on my knees and thank him. Though it is nice to hear him taking accountability. The smallest sliver of hope blooms inside my chest. Maybe, just maybe, this can work out.
“You’re right. It’s not my fault, but it’s not yours either. Our parents put us in this situation.”
“I know, and that means we’re on the same side,” he concludes.
He’s not a bad dancer—surprisingly smooth, and I feel myself leaning into him, getting more comfortable.
“I think we should be allies. It’s the only way we will get through this since we obviously don’t get a say in the whole wedding thing. ”
“Do you mean that?” I whisper, my voice so low I’m not even sure I’ve said the words.
He nods. “I do. We can’t change what’s going to happen, but we can decide how we handle it. I don’t want my wife to be my enemy.”
I nod because words suddenly fail me. I really, really want to believe him.
It would be so nice to relax and know we’re not enemies.
To make the most of this and move forward in the most bearable way possible.
But even as I think it, a small voice at the back of my head repeats the same question over and over.
What about Kade?
No. I can’t think that way. A sharp spike of anger burns inside me. He doesn’t want me. He just wants to make my life hell. Every time he sees me, he makes it a point to tell me how much he hates me.
“And since I haven’t told you yet, you look stunning tonight.” Jackson leans down to murmur in my ear. “You are wearing the hell out of that dress.”
“Thank you.” Heat creeps into my cheeks.
Am I blushing right now? What the hell? I can’t be so desperate for attention that something as small as a compliment sends me over the edge.
The song ends and turns into one with a more upbeat tempo. Jackson looks around over the top of my head and sighs. “I’d better go wrangle Dad. If he’s not careful, he’ll end up making handshake deals with ten different strangers that he won’t remember come morning.”
It feels like I’m in an alternate dimension. He apologizes, compliments me, and is also funny?
All in one night. Something is very wrong here. I’m left waiting for the other shoe to drop when Jackson steps away, heading back toward his father.
My gaze moves to the bar, and I freeze. Shit. Where the hell is he?
“You and Jefferson looked real cozy.” Kade’s deep timbre sweeps over me, and I shudder, turning in the direction of his voice. I barely bite back a gasp when I find him so close he’s nearly touching me.
He has a fresh drink in his hand, and the brown liquid sloshes inside the glass as he lifts it to take a sip. Murder flickers in his icy-blue eyes. I should try to defuse the situation and soothe his anger, but all I can think is, why? It’s not my responsibility.
“His name is Jackson,” I correct him. “And as my soon-to-be husband, he has a right to dance with me.”
He merely stares down at me, his frame dwarfing mine.
Sparks of warmth fill my belly, and ignoring them seems impossible.
Still, I try, telling myself it’s only his proximity that makes me feel this way.
My eyes gravitate toward his lips and the way they mold against the glass.
The liquid flows inside his mouth, and I watch the way his throat bobs as he swallows.
Fuck. I look away before he can see how far gone I am for him.
“I don’t give a fuck what his name is or who he is. He’s touching you, and I don’t like it.”
“Well, I hate to break it to you, but neither of us can do anything to change it, so you’ll have to get used to seeing him touch me.” I cross my arms over my chest and stare up at him through my lashes.
“There are plenty of things I can do to change it. He can’t touch you if his arms are broken and his fingers are missing.”
“Knock it off,” I growl. “If the only reason you’re here is to cause problems, then you can leave.” The murderous rage in his eyes grows, and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. I don’t know if I should curse myself for baiting him or push him further.
“Problems? That used to be your middle name. Wild. Free. A rule breaker. What happened to you, Allie?”
I narrow my eyes at him and poke him square in the chest. “Me?” I can’t believe him. “Don’t turn this around on me. What happened to you? You’re the one acting like a different person.”
Kade lifts a brow in question. “I mean, I killed my own father. At this point, I have nothing left to lose, right?”
Oh no. He starts to pull away, and I reach out, grabbing his arm to stop him. “Don’t do anything stupid, Kade. Please.”
Kade narrows his eyes and shakes off my hold. “Oh, little filly, you know I only accept begging if you do it on your knees.”
Shit. I brace my hand against my churning stomach and watch as he walks away. Whatever he’s going to do, I have a feeling the night is about to implode on itself. I walk off the dance floor and head straight to Saint.
Her silver dress hugs her curves, she holds a champagne glass, and her long, honey-colored hair hangs over one shoulder in movie-star waves.
Calder stands a few feet away, talking to someone.
He’s wearing a tuxedo as well, and I notice him watching me out of the corner of his eye.
Saint looks up right as I reach the table, wearing a big smile on her face that vanishes when she sees my distraught face.
“What’s wrong?” she asks right away.
“So much.” I shake my head, trying to keep myself from drowning. “Jackson is being way too nice, and Kade... I swear he’s going to ruin the entire night before it even starts.”
Saint reaches out and grabs me by the shoulders. “Everything is going to be okay. What can I do to help?”
“Is there anything you can do?”
She shrugs and then frowns. “I can have Calder try to talk to Kade. That’s not to say he will listen as he doesn’t seem to listen to anyone, but it’s worth a shot.”
It’s better than nothing, right? “Yes, see if he can talk to him.”
Saint gestures for Calder to come over, and a sense of relief washes over me. “Thank you,” I breathe. “Mom’s already on edge, and I just want the night to end without a huge explosion.”
Saint smiles. “Allie—”
“Ladies and gentlemen!”
Shit. No, not yet! Dread explodes in my gut as I turn, panic filling my veins. Mom stands on the platform where the band sits, holding a microphone.
Her gaze sweeps the crowd assembled in front of her, a smile on her lips.
“Thank you so much for being here this evening. So much work has gone into putting this event together, and it’s my hope that you’re all enjoying yourselves.
” A soft applause ripples through the crowd before she continues.
“You may have already heard through the grapevine about the announcement I had planned to make tonight.” She runs a hand along the side of her silver gown that sparkles a little with every movement.
“But I figured the longer the evening goes on, the less of a surprise it becomes, so I thought I might as well let the cat out of the bag now. More time for us to celebrate, right?”
Excited murmuring fills the air, and more than a few people turn to me with wide smiles. It’s impossible to continue the act when out of the corner of my eye, I spot Kade standing off to the side, glaring daggers at her. He’s too close to her. Shit.
Mom waits a beat for the murmuring to die down. “I’m very happy to announce to all of you—”
“Excuse me!” A voice interrupts.
God no. I gasp when Kade steps onto the platform and pulls the microphone from Mom’s fist before she can react. She mutters something under her breath, but the microphone doesn’t catch it, and Kade doesn’t give a shit what she has to say.
Turning his attention to the crowd, he smiles.
“What she wanted to tell you,” Kade announces in a loud, clear voice, “is that it turns out she’s so very blessed with both a daughter and a son. Yours truly.”
“Kade, no,” I whisper under my breath, unaware that I’ve gotten up and started walking toward the stage.
His gaze locks on me, and I swear his grin grows.
“That’s right, ladies and gentlemen. I, Kade Bishop, am also a Porter.
The great Roman Bishop had an affair with Emma Porter, and you’re looking at the result.
” He holds out his arms, splashing what’s left in his glass over the rim while Mom signals for someone, anyone, to help.
“And I’ve decided I’m going to take my place as part of the Porter empire! ”
By now, I can barely hear his voice over everyone murmuring around me.
Is it true? Is he crazy? Is it just another Bishop interference?
If they are talking to me, I don’t stop to find out.
“Allie!” Mr. Lowry intercepts me as all hell breaks loose, his hand closing around my elbow. “Is this true? What’s happenin’?” I latch onto the concern flickering in his eyes.
“I honestly don’t know,” I lie even though it would be much easier to spill the truth. “I need to talk to my mom.”
Panic bubbles up in my chest, and I swear I might actually start screaming.
“You look like you’re about to have a mental breakdown, sweetheart.” He has no idea. Raising his arm overhead, he snaps his fingers. “I know you want to talk to your mom, but it might be better if you get out of here. Like magic, Jackson appears at our side.
“Take her home. She doesn’t need to deal with any more problems tonight.
” Even now, in the middle of all this horror and disappointment—because I am so upset with Kade that I can barely breathe—part of me wonders if Joseph wants us out of here to ease some of the scandal.
Like he doesn’t want his name tied to any of this right now.
“I feel like I should stay with Mom,” I tell Jackson as he steers me away from the converging chaos.
“She would want you safe,” he assures, waiting for me while I grab my purse. As soon as I have it, he drags me out of the room.
My chest hurts, my head is pounding, and I think I might throw up.