Chapter 28
Mac
Friday night, Mac was in his apartment trying to focus on his best man speech when his phone rang. Cole.
"Turn on the sports channel. Now."
Mac grabbed the remote. And there, on the screen, was Matthews being interviewed from what looked like a hotel room.
"I'm excited to be in Vermont again," Matthews was saying, that charismatic smile firmly in place.
"I'll be attending the Hansen-Winters wedding tomorrow as a gesture of professional courtesy.
Cole Hansen's recovery has been remarkable, and I'm looking forward to meeting the physical therapist responsible.
Ellie Winters. I think we'll have a lot to discuss about treatment protocols. "
Mac’s blood ran cold. Which was ironic, given how hot his rage had been running lately. He was basically a human thermostat malfunction.
"He's coming to the wedding," Cole said through the phone. "That son of a bitch invited himself to my wedding."
"Did you accidentally send him an invitation?"
Not that Mac knew how that could happen.
"No! He's just showing up. Uninvited. To make some kind of statement."
“Son of a bitch!”
“Hell yes.”
Mac's mind immediately went to Rachel. Derek would be at the wedding tomorrow. And Rachel would have to face him.
"Cole, I need to tell you something. About him and Rachel."
"What about them?"
Mac explained quickly; the advances, the rejection, the systematic destruction of Rachel's relationship as revenge.
Cole didn’t move for a while. Then: "Jesus Christ. That's psychotic."
"That's Matthews. And tomorrow he's going to be at your wedding with Rachel there. I need to handle this, but I wanted you to know what's happening."
"What's the plan?"
"Rachel doesn't go anywhere alone. I'll have Sophie and the team keep eyes on her when I can't. Jamie can run interference with Derek; keep him busy, keep him visible, away from both Rachel and Ellie."
"Good. What else?"
"Luke sticks to Derek like glue during the reception. I'll brief Tyler, he'll notice if Matthews tries anything. And Cole, you and Ellie stay focused on your wedding. Don't engage with him at all. This is your day."
"Mac—"
"I mean it. You get married, you celebrate. I've got this handled."
Cole was quiet. "Okay. But if he tries something."
"Then I shut it down. You won't even know it happened."
"Thanks, man."
After hanging up, Mac immediately called Rachel.
"Hello?" Her voice was sleepy, he'd woken her up. “Mac?”
"I need to tell you something. Matthews, he's coming to the wedding tomorrow. He announced it on TV."
"What?"
"He invited himself. Said it's 'professional courtesy' but we both know it's about making a statement. About targeting Ellie. And probably—" Mac stopped, not wanting to say it.
"About me," Rachel finished, her voice small. "He knows I'm here."
"Probably." Mac rubbed his face. "Rachel, you don't have to come tomorrow. If it's too much."
"No." No hesitation this time. "I'm coming. I'm not letting him win. Not again."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. Mac. I'm not running this time." She took a shaky breath. "We face him together, right? "
"Together," Mac confirmed.
Mac set down his phone and looked at Puck, who was sitting on the couch staring at him.
"Tomorrow's going to be a disaster," Mac told the cat.
Puck blinked slowly, unconcerned.