22. Wentworth
TWENTY-TWO
Wentworth
2013
JERARD COMES BACK 2691A FEW HOURS LATER, carrying a zippered garment bag from one of the shops in the lobby, along with a message.
“There’s a gentleman at the front desk, demanding to see you. His name is Damien and he’s claiming to be your brother. Shall I have him escorted off the premises by security?”
While it was never a secret that Suzi Bravebird, Hawthorne Helena’s celebrated head chef, was once married to my father, or that the marriage produced children, it’s not something that’s advertised either.
That’s the way Suzi’s always wanted it so that’s the way it’s always been played—first by my grandfather and then by me. That my mother would never lower herself to visit this hotel and that once my father divorced Suzi, he never returned, makes it an easy fact to downplay.
“No.” Tossing the garment bag over the back of the couch, I scrub a rough hand over my face. “Send him up.”
If my instructions surprise him, Jerard doesn’t let on. “Very well, sir.” He gives me a bland smile before stepping back onto the elevator.
I wish I could say that I’m surprised that Damien is here, but I’m not. I told him that not only am I in love with his boss’s daughter, that I’m getting ready to marry her. Of course he jumped in his truck and broke the land speed record to get here before I could make good on my threat and fuck up not only Kait’s life but his life too.
Pulling out my phone, I shoot Dakota a quick text.
Me: Where are you?
Kota: Just finishing up at the spa.
Before I have a chance to answer her, she sends another text.
Kota: You could’ve told me who she is. It would’ve made this whole thing easier.
I stare at my phone for a second, trying to figure out which one of them told her, Kait or Damien before I realize it doesn’t matter because she’s right. I should’ve told her what was going on from the beginning.
Me: Sorry. Damien’s pissed about it and I didn’t want to get you mixed up in my mess any more than I had to.
Kota: Is that why you didn’t tell me that the two of you are getting married?
Me: Yeah… and because I didn’t want you to tell me it’s a bad idea.
Kota: LOL it’s a horrible idea but this entire family was built on bad ideas. Far be it from me to judge. Should we come back to the penthouse to get ready or should we get ready in the suite I booked for you under the fake name?
Me: Go to the suite. I’ll send someone to get you when it’s time.
Hearing the elevator ding, I shove my phone back into my pocket just as its doors slide open.
For a moment, all Damien and I do is stare at each other.
“If you were hoping for Kait, she isn’t here,” I tell him, arms crossed over my chest. Damien doesn’t answer me. Instead, he steps off the elevator while looking around the opulent foyer. The lavish living room beyond it.
I’ve never been ashamed of the wealth I was born into. To be perfectly honest, I’ve never given it much thought.
Until now.
Seeing this place through my brother’s eyes, I’m struck by the imbalance of it all. While nowhere near as wealthy as my mother’s family, our father has money. More than enough to have afforded a comfortable life for Damien and Dakota. That Suzi refused every attempt my father made at providing for them because she saw it for what it was—guilt money—is irrelevant. Watching the realization of just how different our lives have been hit my brother makes me hate my mother even more.
“I’m not looking for Kait,” Damien tells me, coming forward, through the foyer and into the living room. Stopping a few feet away from where I’m standing, he shakes his head. “I’m looking for you.”
Even though fighting him is the last thing I want to do, I feel my hands crank themselves into fists. “Then you wasted a trip because I’m not changing my mind.”
Damien makes an ugly sound in the back of his throat. “I didn’t think you would.”
“So… what ?” I give him a shrug. “You drove two-hundred miles to tell me what a selfish prick I am to my face?”
“Yeah. I drove two hundred miles to tell you what a selfish prick you are to your face.” Damien’s jaw clenches, the muscle running the length of it ticking heavily for a moment while he gets himself under control. “But somewhere between here and there, I realized the real reason I’m here is to look you in the eye while you say it again.”
His tone tightens the back of my neck. “And if you don’t like what you see?”
The corner of Damien’s mouth kicks up in a humorless smirk that looks more like a snarl. “Then I’m going to beat the shit out of you and take Kait home, where she belongs.”
I’d like to see you fucking try.
Instead of saying it, I drop my arms away from my chest and step into him, the move bringing us practically nose to nose, so I can give him what he came for.
“I’m in love with Kait,” I tell him quietly. “ I’m in love with her and I’m going to marry her.”
“And if she changes her mind?” he asks, still watching me. “What if she realizes this isn’t what she wants and she wants to come home?”
The thought is one I’ve entertained more than once. That sooner or later, Kait is going to come to her senses and realize that she married me out of fear or maybe even gratitude. Because I’m the only person who’s ever asked her what she wants. The only person who’s ever been willing to give it to her. “If Kait changes her mind and wants to go home, I won’t stop her.” It feels like a lie but I say it anyway, reasoning that it’s no different than what I told her the night we left Barrett. That she didn’t have to stay married to me if she didn’t want to. That we could get a divorce if she changed her mind.
Damien doesn’t say a word. He just stares at me for what feels like years before his shoulders finally slump and he takes a step back. “Abbey’s never gonna let me hear the end of this when she finds out… when’s this thing supposed to happen?”
Relieved that we seemed to be passed the possibility of killing each other, I relax my fists and loosen my shoulders. “In a few hours.”
“Cutting it close.” Lifting a hand, Damien swipes it over his jaw. “Do you have someone to stand up for you?”
Swallowing hard, I shake my head. “No.”
Dropping his hand, my brother tips his chin toward the garment bag draped over the back of the couch. “That your suit?”
Looking at the bag, I nod. “Yeah.”
“I suppose that guy who let me up here is the guy who gets you things?” When I give him another nod, he grimaces slightly. “Well, if I’m gonna be your best man, you better call him and tell him to hurry up and get me one too.”