Page 111 of Blind Devotion

I laughed in my husband’s arms. We danced. We kissed and drank champagne. We played silly games and listened to the skit his family put on for us. We even got a “Congratulations” from my new mother-in-law, even if it remained cold and aloof. Still, it was progress. We ate savory hors d’oeuvres, ranging from cheeses to stuffed profiteroles to tourtières and mini skewers, until we couldn’t eat anymore. All the while, in the back of mymind, I missed my brother and wished he’d been here for this, for me.

When it came time to eat dessert, we stood before the croquembouche tower of traditionally cream-filled profiteroles, ours covered in caramel and chocolate. I leaned my back against my new husband’s chest as the servers made us each a plate of a few profiteroles. Adrien rested his chin on my head, his arms against my waist.

“Do you think we can box some up for my brother for when he makes the trip over?”

My husband stiffened behind me.

“Oh, come on,” I pleaded. “You honestly didn’t think the truce I was asking for between you both was only for the wedding?”

“Tessa, he won’t be traveling for a while.”

Stubborn men. “Well, then we’ll go to him.” He sighed heavily at my back. “Adrien, we’ve been over this. You’re not keeping me from my brother.”

“I’m not, but his actions have.”

“What does that mean?” The server handed me a plate. “What aren’t you telling me?”

He groaned. “I didn’t want to do this today.”

“What?”

“Renzo’s been arrested.”