Chapter 29 - Laurel
After dinner, Mik’s cousins headed home, not wanting to take up any more of our honeymoon. Every time one of them said the word, I blushed, remembering how eager I was to get back to the hotel before we left to meet them for dinner.
It all seemed so real, especially after I started having such a good time, getting whirled around on the small dance floor in the restaurant by Mik’s chivalrous cousins.
They all got along so well, really more like siblings than cousins.
They weren’t bothered by the fact I couldn’t keep track of their twisting family tree, and they assured me I’d piece it all together in time.
If only. That’s what I found myself wishing for, distracted by their camaraderie and joking good natures from being so impatient to get rid of them.
It was like the shootout had never happened.
I went from anxiously watching every door and window, fearful of a new attack, to being completely relaxed.
It had to be Mik and his strong, sure presence.
He had to be shaken up by what happened, but he was hiding it a lot better than I was and always seemed ready and willing to take on the world for me.
Even being in the same town as Rand, and at an upscale restaurant he supplied wines to, didn’t freak me out.
The last I saw that jerk was when he was running from Mik, and there was no doubt in my mind that Mik would send him packing again if he dared try anything if our paths crossed.
“We need to see you up in San Francisco soon,” Lev said as he handed Jenna into the back of the car.
They’d had their share of wine but had a driver to take them home. CJ and Mat left a little earlier than they did, joking about still somewhat being in their own honeymoon phase. I envied them for their happiness and their surety that what they had was real.
“I might be seeing you in LA soon if things keep going the way they’re going,” Mik said in a low voice.
It piqued my curiosity, because for a brief moment, they looked far too serious, when the entire evening had been filled with laughter up until then. But I forgot all about it when the car drove away, and Mik turned, pulling me into his arms.
“The night’s not over yet,” he said, sweeping my hair aside to kiss me below my ear.
“It’s not?”
He shook his head, smiling down at me with a look of pride. Was he thinking of me as his wife just then? “No, now that it’s just us, we need to go on a date. It’s a little odd that we’re married, but we’ve never gone out together.”
He dismissed our night at the brewery the last time we were in town, citing it as business. “So what do you think?” he asked. “More dancing? I love it when your cheeks get all rosy.”
“There are other ways you can make them that way,” I said, rising up so my lips were level with his.
His hand snaked up my back to rest against my head, pulling me that last inch for a kiss. We only broke apart when our car rolled around, and the valet hopped out, pretending not to notice us making out while we waited.
“I can hardly believe I’m saying this,” Mik said once we were inside. “But there’s plenty of time to get back to the room. My room or yours as long as we’re both in it together. Right now I want to show you off some more.”
“Oh, you’ve been showing me off all this time?” I asked, hardly believing him, but still glowing.
He gave me a look so full of intensity that I shivered. “Yes. You’re beautiful, full stop, but every man in the restaurant couldn’t keep their eyes off you in that dress. It was kind of pissing me off, to be honest.”
I laughed. “I think you’re exaggerating.”
“Not even a little bit, Laurel. And you charmed my family once again. Every single one of them adores you.”
“Almost every single one,” I reminded him, pleased enough by his words that I didn’t want to think about his father.
He blinked, then scowled. “That doesn’t matter. My father will accept us eventually. He has no choice.”
“I suppose divorce is worse than marrying someone inappropriate?” I asked, unable to keep my mouth shut.
“That’s not going to happen.”
It wasn’t? Then how would we dissolve this pretend union? An annulment seemed out of the question by now. Before I could dwell on it, he was kissing me as the driver appeared out of nowhere and we sped toward our next destination. Too soon after that, the car stopped.
Mik pulled away, and I slowly opened my eyes, still feeling the firm pressure of his lips on mine. Everything was amazing again, even if the fact that this was only temporary was still in the back of my mind. Way back, and pushed even further when we hurried into the packed nightclub.
We went straight past the bar to the dance floor, where white lights glimmered over the crush of dancers and brightly colored strobes flashed along in time to the thumping beats.
I couldn’t hear Mik’s laughter as he grabbed my hand and sent me twirling away from him, then tugged me back before I jammed into someone else.
“I normally hate places like this,” he said right next to my ear the next time we bounced off of each other. “But every place is my favorite when you’re with me.”
I made a face at him, but he didn’t care at all how corny he was, and there was nothing but the truth in his eyes. “Me too,” I admitted.
So we were at a place we wouldn’t usually go under threat of death, but still having the time of our lives. On the few occasions Rand deigned to take me out somewhere, it was always clear he was only out to network and be seen, and there was nothing but impatience for it to be over in his eyes.
It was the opposite with Mik, and for the first time in my life, I was at a club when they turned on the lights and told everyone to go home.
Mik’s arm was around me in the pitch-black of night, with only the neon club sign and the stars overhead lighting the area where we waited for the car.
I didn’t know where Mik’s driver went while we were at dinner, but he’d followed us into the club, and I caught a glimpse of him near the bar, sipping on a club soda while we danced.
Now he slid into the driver’s seat without a hint of resentment, and I hoped he got to chat up a nice woman, maybe get her number for having to wait around for us.
It was still so bizarre to not only have a driver, but one that followed us from LA, and I wondered how much Mik paid him, along with the security guy he brought up, which I was sure was solely for my benefit.
It was crazy, but also felt so right and…
normal. Mik was mega, super, uber rich, but he was one of the most down-to-earth guys I ever knew.
He loved a good beer after work, and he was dedicated to his job and his family.
I could easily see this marriage turning real with the way we were getting along, perfectly in sync.
Was it too much to ask to permanently end up with someone as safe and sane as Mik? A flicker of sadness there was no reason to feel began to well up, and I shoved it aside to enjoy the rest of the night, or rather, the early morning, because there was no way we were going to sleep yet.
The driver pulled up to the front of the resort, spotlights illuminating the palm trees beside the entrance. Mik opened the door before the driver could get out and do it for us, cutting the formality after such a long night. Before we could get inside, the driver called him over.
“I can’t get a hold of Georgiy,” he said in a low voice. Since there was no music being piped through the outdoor speakers at that hour, I caught every word. “It’s probably nothing.”
“It’s three in the morning. He’s probably asleep. But take the stairs and meet us up there,” Mik said, his face set in stone.
When he turned back to me, he smiled as if he didn’t just get news he clearly didn’t like. “Is everything okay?” I asked.
He punched the elevator number and drew me close. “Your room or mine?” he asked, leaning down to nip the side of my neck. My weak spot. It didn’t keep me from noticing he didn’t answer my question.
“Yours is bigger,” I said. If he wasn’t worried, why should I be? “But mine has a better view of the mountains.”
“I’m not going to be looking out the window,” he said, his eyes locked on me, slowly traveling down my body and back up. I could feel his eyes like a caress and leaned into him.
On our floor, we broke apart, and he subtly nudged me behind him as we set off toward his room. He swiped his key card and shoved the door open, no longer looking so relaxed. I felt myself stiffening, my feet heavy as I took another step to follow him into the room.
This was just an unnecessary panic response, leftover trauma. Everything was fine. Mik was about to take me in his arms again, and soon we’d be naked and tumbling onto the bed.
“Stop,” he said harshly, his hand jutting out to keep me from taking another step.
The rich smell of wine filled my nostrils, and for once it didn’t make me want to breathe deep and savor it. Too strong, too out of place.
“Clear,” Mik’s driver said, appearing from the adjoining door that led to my room. “Just a mess.”
Mik snapped on the lights, and I gasped, reaching for his hand at the same time he tucked me under his arm, close to his side. His hand dug into my shoulder as I looked at the room. A mess was an understatement.
Red wine stained the sheer curtains and the linen bedding, puddles of it soaked into the pale beige carpet. Broken glass lay everywhere, along with empty bottles strewn on the bed and floor.
Mik took a few steps further in, shaking his head and muttering swear words under his breath. I stayed glued to his side, stepping on a cork and sending it skidding under the bed. More corks lay everywhere, and the heavy scent began to overwhelm me.
Letting go of me to lean down, Mik picked up one of the bottles and held it up so I could see. The top had been jaggedly broken off, but the label was still intact and clear to read.
I swayed on my feet, grabbing Mik’s arm to keep from falling into the red stains that were everywhere, like blood.
All of the bottles were familiar now that I really looked at the other ones that weren’t smashed. All the labels had the same logo atop the vintage.
Canyon Vines.