Chapter Eighteen
Liam
Pride and triumph fizz in my veins like champagne. Olivia looked like a queen as she royally told those parasites off. I wanted to pick her up, spin her around and kiss her, but that would have undermined her moment. So we left, heads held high like true victors.
Everyone’s expressions were priceless. I wish we could’ve taken photos.
My phone starts buzzing almost as soon as Olivia and I climb into the limo. And then it keeps buzzing.
“You might want to answer that. Could be serious,” she says.
I scowl. Is the company on fire? Nothing short of that is worth the interruption.
I yank my phone out, then stop. Oh.
–Silas: You’re married?
–Finn: WTF? We didn’t even know!
–Gideon: I think it’s AI. No way it’s real.
–Roarke: Winston doesn’t lie.
–Me: Winston texted you?
–Roarke: Yes, and it’s all over social media. The bride invited a bunch of influencers and they shared.
I turn to Olivia, letting a slow smile spread over my face. “It appears that Brielle invited influencers.”
She laughs. “That’s so her. She loves to show off.”
“Bitch.”
She gasps. “Liam.”
“What?”
“I never thought you’d say such a word!”
“Bitch. Bitch. Brielle is a bitch. I hope she falls into a ditch full of diarrhea.”
Olivia bursts out laughing. “That’s so immature, but funny.”
I join her. “I’m glad I’m making you laugh.”
–Xavier: You better watch it. Czarina’s going to come for you.
Fuck. I really don’t want to deal with her right now.
–Rhys: Did you honestly go and get married and not tell us or invite us? We aren’t THAT embarrassing!
–Me: You’re on a honeymoon with Max.
–Rhys: I would’ve come back.
I have to smile. He would have, too, because he’s like the father I never had, even though we’re only seven years apart.
–Me: I wouldn’t want to do that to Max.
–Rhys: She’d understand. She likes you. You’re family, Liam.
–Xavier: Just stay away from Czarina. Nothing good will happen.
“Czarina?” Olivia says, glancing at the screen.
“My—well, our—grandmother. She’s going to want an explanation.”
“Oh.” Olivia bites her lip. “Do you think she’ll be upset that she didn’t get invited?”
“Probably, but don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it.”
“No. We’ll handle it together. It takes two to marry, so…” She shrugs. “As for your brothers, I should meet them. Get their blessings and make it all proper.”
I study her expression. If she thought she could use them as an excuse to end the marriage for sure… “Don’t worry about them. They’ll love you.”
“But—”
“Hey, what’s important is how I feel about you. They’ll love you because…” I hesitate, knowing it’s too soon. “You make me happy and I like you.”
Unshed tears shimmer in her eyes. The corners of her mouth twitch as she struggles to smile but fails. I don’t know why hearing that someone loves her makes her want to cry. But it’s probably because of what her so-called family did to her over the years.
I blow out a breath and gather her into my arms, then run a soothing hand over her shaking back. “Hey, it’s okay. My brothers don’t eat new sisters-in-law for dinner. I promise.”
She chokes, then lets out a teary laugh. “Okay. I trust you.” She extends a hand. “Can I?”
“Yeah.” I give her my phone after unlocking it.
She starts typing. Hello, this is Olivia, Liam’s wife. I’m sorry we didn’t get to invite you. It was a very sudden ceremony, due to some circumstances on my end. Anyway, I’d love to make it up to you in some way. Just let me know.
She hits send and waits, her mouth pursed tight.
My phone instantly buzzes again.
–Silas: Hi, Olivia! A new sister-in-law! I’m sure it was Liam’s doing, not you.
–Gideon: You didn’t know about us, but he did.
–Rhys: Max, my wife, wants to meet up. We should do a dinner or brunch. Whichever.
–Silas: I’ll host it.
–Finn: Of course you will. Otherwise we’ll end up in the ER.
Olivia laughs. “Are they always this chatty?”
“We’re busy, so it’s hard to meet in person. So we tend to group text a lot.”
“Is Silas going to have Frederich cook for us?”
“Better. He’ll cook. Don’t worry, he’s good. You’ll love him.”
Her eyes light up, the earlier heartache gone from her beautiful face.
As long as she’s happy, I can deal with anything. But late that night, the tabloids explode with ugly insinuations.