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I hear the squeak of Triston’s chair as he leans back. “Well said. Enjoy your evening with your queen.”
I hang up, moving back toward Chloe, her body on full display as she suns herself in her lounge. I plan to enjoy my queen to the fullest.
Not just tonight.
For the rest of my life.
EPILOGUE
Triston
One month later…
Weddings are not my scene.Despite the fact that women tend to be free and easy, the emotion involved in the ceremony is enough to make me steer clear, usually. But as it’s my brother who’s getting married, my attendance is required.
“You may kiss the bride,” the justice of the peace calls out with a large smile on her face.
Killian kisses Chloe, appearing about as smitten as a man can be. The change Chloe has brought out in him is nothing short of astounding.
It’s like she’s switched Killian back on. He went from moody, withdrawn, dangerous to relaxed and happy. I wouldn’t go so far as to say talkative.
Except with Chloe. Every time the two of them are at a family event, I catch them in a corner talking and laughing, Killian more animated than I’ve ever seen him. I don’t even know that man, but I’d really like to have the chance.
She’s the perfect woman for Killian, and honestly, she’s fitting into our family exceptionally well.
My mother looks back at me from the row ahead, a smile gracing her lips. Chloe has brought Killian and our mother back together, which will likely make Chloe the favorite daughter-in-law. Not that I’ll give her any competition. I will not add another Mrs. Smith to the collection.
My brothers and I are all driven men, working tirelessly to bring our family to the pinnacle of dominance in the Las Vegas real estate market. I don’t have either the time or the inclination to date a woman with any seriousness.
In fact, I have a rule. I only ever date a woman for thirty days. Any longer than that, and they start getting ideas…
But I’m still happy for Killian and glad a few of my brothers are adding a bit of softness to the family.
Chloe calls our mother, she soothes Killian, she even baked cookies for our board meeting last week.
Watching Killian bring them to the meeting was hilarious. He’s never embarrassed about anything, but he looked slightly uncomfortable as he dropped a Tupperware container on the table. Then again, he also didn’t share any of them, eating them himself because, as he phrased it, “She’s mine to eat as often as I wish.”
Our brother Rush had quirked his brow. “You mean the food she makes is yours?—”
“You heard me,” he growled back.
Chloe and Killian join hands, and turning to face the crowd, they raise them above their heads, as the small group cheers.
“Woot,” I call, actually meaning it. I’m happy for my brother. I really am. And another marriage in our family has brought us closer to our real estate partners, the Kincaids. Win. Win.
We’re at one of Mason’s hotels for the ceremony and reception. Mason and I are working on the kind of deal that will bring my family to the next level. It’s a game changer.
Which is why Mason volunteered this room for Killian and Chloe as a peace offering, and as the space overlooks a lush garden and the private pool beyond, it’s a lovely setting for the twenty people they have here today.
My family was invited, a few of the Kincaids, a couple of Chloe’s friends, and Chloe’s mother.
Who is a piece of work.
She took one look at the hotel, the guests, and she has set herself to being some sort of money vacuum, telling first Killian, and then me and my brothers all about her financial woes.
I’ve seen her kind before. She’ll try to garner some sympathy in the hopes of receiving aid. What I find appalling is that she has no shame acting this way at her daughter’s wedding.
She’s in the row behind me, and she’s working Rush. “The shrimp that was served at the pre-event spread was divine. I’ve not had anything like that in ages, we can hardly afford it.”