Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
“She’s lovely,” I say softly.
Melanie nods her agreement.
Then she turns the page. “And this is James.”
The breath is momentarily sucked from my lungs when I lay eyes on the man who created the emotional problems of all the people in this room.
I can see so much of Silvan in him, with Richard’s aura of danger—but amplified because this man’s danger isn’t quiet and capable of catching you by surprise. One look at him and you know he’ll absolutely ruin your life, but there’s something that draws you in, anyway. His handsomeness, sure, but there’s more to it than that. A sense that he’s wounded, that he’s a man who’s never known happiness.
The temptation to believe he can be fixed is so strong, I feel it even though I know how the story ended.
Some version of it, anyway.
I suppose I only know how their relationship looked to certain others, much like Silvan judges his parents’ relationship one way, but when I look at it, I see a much different picture. I didn’t come in at the same moment he did, and the image I have of their relationship is two people deeply in love who would do anything for one another.
There’s a picture of the bride and groom together on the next page, and maybe it’s the romantic in me, but I see his possessive grip on her waist and wonder if there was more to the story than what I’ve heard.
I think of Silvan’s brutal side, the ruthless Viking spirit I can’t help but enjoy. I can see it coming from this man. His lips look like they’ve never smiled. His eyebrows are set at a fearsome slant that leaves no doubt that he is, in fact, a beast.
I certainly wouldn’t fuck with him.
I mean, I can see why Katherine let him ruin her life, no question, but yikes. Big scary vibes.
“Well, at least I don’t have to worry our kids will be ugly,” I say lightly.
Melanie’s eyes sparkle knowingly. “He looks much less handsome once you’ve met him,” she says with a little wink.
“And here I thought you liked them mean,” I tease.
Her eyes sparkle and she looks over her shoulder at her husband. “He isn’t mean to me.”
Closing that book, she opens a second one and shows me pictures of her wedding to Richard at the church where James and Katherine got married. It’s a gorgeous cathedral to be sure, but it’s the kind of place I’m certain is booked several years out, and I don’t want Richard pulling strings to open a place up for us. I’d rather just have our wedding somewhere that’s available without threats and intimidation.
Melanie is so excited about planning my wedding, I can see the location is out of my hands and at this point she’s set on it being this church for the ceremony. It’s a tradition at this point, one she’d like to keep going.
“I very much appreciate your enthusiasm and your help, but I think my mom will probably also want to be involved with the planning.”
“Oh.” The light in her eyes dims a bit, not deliberately, she just seems to wear her heart right on her sleeve and can’t hide her true feelings. “Of course. Look at me, prattling on like you’re my daughter. Of course, you’ll want to make plans with your own mother.”
The study door opens, and I hear the maid announcing that dinner is ready and we should head to the dining room. My gaze catches on Richard watching me, his eyes narrowed with displeasure.
My heart skips a beat.
What did I do?
I look at Melanie closing her photo albums and taking them back to the cabinet. I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings, but I think maybe I did.
I open my mouth searching for something to say, but I can’t come up with anything. All I said was that my mom would want to help plan the wedding.
I feel bad for dimming her excitement, though. I want to fix it even before I realize that’s probably why Richard was looking at me that way. He’s clearly very protective of his wife.
Melanie takes Richard’s arm, and he leans in to give her a kiss. She brightens a bit and leans her head on his arm, then they lead the way out of the study.
I fall in next to Silvan and he slides a hand around my waist.
“I think I upset your mom,” I whisper.
He nods grimly. “Probably. She’s not great at sharing, either.”
I watch Richard’s back wordlessly as we leave the study.
I feel crazy even suggesting it, but the entire fabric of Silvan’s family seems to be stitched together by sheer insanity, so I give voice to my thoughts. “You don’t think your dad would… do anything to get my mom out of the way just so Melanie would be my only wedding planner, do you?”