I reach up to cradle her cheek with my palm. “Perhaps.”
“And an asshole,” she hisses, earning a chuckle from me. “Let’s get this over with.”
I smirk at her. “So I’m not the only one looking forward to the honeymoon it would seem.”
“Go to hell,” she growls.
“Of course, Talia,” I say, stepping closer, our mouths nearly touching. “But you’re going with me.”
The rehearsal was boring as fuck. Wedding shit always is. It doesn’t matter if it’s my wedding or one of my several girl cousins I’ve chosen for bridesmaids. Weddings are a fucking snooze. What’s entertaining, though, is watching my fiancée squirm now every time Aris tries to talk to her.
That’s right. I’m watching. Always fucking watching.
He finally gives up and walks over to talk to our father, who as usual, barely acknowledges he exists.
After we finished at the church, we came back to Hēdonē for a private dinner. According to Mamá, it’s all part of the tradition. The two families breaking bread before the big day tomorrow. While we wait for dinner to be served, everyone enjoys a drink while they socialize amongst each other.
I watch as my father’s gaze darts between Niles and Melody, as if bringing the two exes into the same room to watch their daughter be forcefully married off is the most entertaining thing he’s ever seen.
It shouldn’t be.
That’s what has me on edge.
My marrying Talia should please Father because he loves revenge, but that’s it. It shouldn’t be ongoing like this. I’m pissed that I feel in the dark about the whole situation.
My eyes zero in on Mamá. At the rehearsal she seemed so happy, but right now as she sips on her cocktail and speaks to Melody, something is off. Sure, she’s wearing her signature Demetriou good wife smile, but the light that’s usually in her eyes is snuffed out.
Melody is probably tattling to her about how her daughter was forced to marry a horrible Demetriou man. Unfortunately for Melody, my mother knows all about bad men. And she loves her son. If she thinks she’ll sway my mother, she has another thing coming. Mamá’s gaze darts my way, a pained expression on her face.
Enough.
I stalk over to them and Mamá’s face brightens. Melody is polite enough to end whatever line of conversation she initiated.
“Would you know I forgot my gift for Talia in the car?” Mamá says, her features tight. “I’m going to just run out and grab it real quick before dinner begins.”
“What about my present?” I tease, smiling at her.
She laughs and kisses my cheek. “You’re spoiled, son.”
As soon as she rushes off, Melody clutches my bicep. “Kostas.”
“Yes?”
“It’s not too late.” Her lips purse together.
Irritation burns in my gut. “Not too late for what?”
“To back out of this,” she utters. “You have to know you’re making a mistake.”
I grit my teeth. “We both know what this marriage is.”
“Yes,” she bites back. “Punishment against my ex-husband for screwing your family over.” She lets out a heavy sigh. “Please, Kostas, I know you’re a good man. Don’t make her the consequence of her father’s actions.”
Stepping away from her, I shake my head. “Sorry, Melody, but I’m not a good man. I’m marrying your daughter and it’d be in your best interest not to intervene.”
I walk away without saying another word to her.
When Mamá gets back, we’re going to need to have a chat.
I’m just seeking out Talia when someone clears their throat.
“Good evening, everyone, your table is now ready,” Vince, the restaurant manager, announces. He opens the doors leading to the private dining room, and everyone herds in like cattle. My cousins, aunts, and uncles all find a seat on one side of the table, along with my brother. Father sits at the head of the table, and Mamá, who has just now returned, sits to his left, next to Aris. I notice that Niles and Phoenix are wisely standing away from the table, waiting to be asked to join.
Talia practically clings to her mother and stepfather while her grandparents remain polite and stoic beside them, on the other side of the table. I’ve allowed her to avoid me by riding with them from the chapel to the restaurant, but I’m done playing gracious host. I want my woman at my side. Where she belongs.
“Talia, come,” I bark out, making her jolt and her stepfather glower at me. “It’s time to make some toasts.”
She grimaces but doesn’t argue. I hold my hand out and wait for her to take it. A server walks by and begins handing out glasses of our house chardonnay. I release her hand so we can each take a glass.
“You can’t hide from me forever,” I taunt lowly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“I’m not hiding. I was spending time with my mom. You should try it sometime.”
I wince at her low blow, darting my gaze over to Mamá. Aris seems concerned as well, which has my nerves ratcheting up. When I catch my mother’s gaze, I expect to see her eyes light up like usual. Instead, she tears up and looks away.
What the fuck? Is it possible she’s really that upset over what Melody might’ve told her? She knows the score, and while she might’ve thought Talia and I are marrying for love, deep down she has to know nothing we do is without motive.
“Did you say something to upset her?” I demand, turning to look at Talia. Maybe it wasn’t Melody, but Talia who upset her. She’s gotten close to Mamá this week. If she’s using her to punish me, she will regret it.
She seems offended because she huffs. “No, if anything, I’ve done the best job of convincing that poor woman that I’m madly in love with you.”
“Obviously not convincing enough,” I mutter, sliding my palm to her cheek. “Maybe you should practice.” I press my lips to hers in a slightly provocative kiss meant to serve three purposes.
Piss off her family.
Make my mother happy.
And remind both Talia and Aris I’m the fucking fiancé.
Talia grips one lapel of my suit jacket and starts to pull away, on the verge of saying something. I deepen the kiss, lashing out at her tongue with mine. My free palm slides to her ass and I give it a little squeeze before breaking away. She shoots me a flustered, go to hell look, before draining her chardonnay. I chuckle and sip mine, assessing to see if our kiss did what it was intended.
Her family is pissed. In fact, I’d say her brother and stepfather would love to take turns pummeling my ass. And Aris looks jealous as fuck. Good. But my mother?
Hot tears roll down her cheeks as she shakes her head at me. Her bottom lip trembles. What the fuck? Is she ill? What have I done to upset her? And then her gaze darts over to Melody, confirming my suspicions. Meddling bitch. I’ll have to remind her she has a reason to keep her mouth shut. I know she doesn’t want her daughter to pay for her sins. Poor girl is already in a life sentence from her father.
“The toast?” Father urges, from the head of table looking regal as a king. “We’re all waiting.”
I clench my jaw and motion for Niles and Phoenix to join the table. Phoenix sits beside his mother in Talia’s vacated seat with his father beside him. The weak Nikolaides all sitting in a row are fucking pathetic.