Page 30 of Malicious Marriage (Mafia Lords of Sin #9)
CLOVER
“ W ait, wait, wait, don’t shoot!”
I slide barefoot on the tiles and end up between Dean and Uncle Malcom with my hands raised and my heart pounding so loudly that I’m certain they both must be able to hear it.
Coming back here was a mistake. I was so caught up in the pregnancy news that it didn’t even cross my mind that coming back here with Dean this close to June was a recipe for disaster.
This past month has been such a whirlwind that in my mind, Malcom still wasn’t coming back for a while and now, here he stands in the kitchen with his gun trained on Dean.
“Clover, what the fuck—wait a second…” Malcom pauses and his gun lowers an inch.
Is he about to destroy everything? In just a few words, the truth will be revealed and everything I’ve planned, everything I desperately need from Dean will be gone. I rack my brain for excuses and plans but there’s nothing.
I’m done for.
“Aren’t you Dean Savoy?” Malcom’s gun drops lower still. “What the hell is a Savoy doing in my kitchen?”
“Who are you?” Dean demands, his voice tight and his words coming out sharp like bullets.
“Malcom. Malcom Byrne.”
“Oh, right. Uncle.” Dean clicks his tongue behind his teeth. “Are you really that surprised to find me here? We got married yesterday. Typically, newlyweds spend their first night together.”
“Married?” Malcom’s shock is painfully obvious and his mouth hangs open as his eyes dart between us.
“You’re… surprised?” Dean slowly turns to face me as confusion etches across his face. “You didn’t tell your uncle you were getting married?”
Shit! Fucking shit, fuck!
I can’t think. My mind is like a broken record stuck in a groove and nothing passes through my thoughts except panic. I have no excuse. I have no reason. I have absolutely nothing to defend myself because as soon as my uncle reveals that he disowned me and kicked me out of the family, it’s over.
My life. My search for Hailey. My relationship with Dean. All of it is over.
Ryan was right. A family like the Savoys will never allow Dean to remain married to someone who has been disowned. The stain of shame is too great and Dean will not only divorce me, but he’ll likely publicly disown me and make sure that no one can help me ever again.
“I—” I can’t speak. No words rise. It’s like something has a grip on my throat, preventing me from doing anything other than staring at Dean in desperation.
Suddenly, Malcom speaks. “How silly of me!”
We both glance over at him.
“I would forget my own head if it wasn’t attached.
I’ve been traveling on business for so long that I couldn’t even tell you what month it is.
Of course Clover told me she was marrying a Savoy .
I thought it was next month, but…” He puffs out his cheeks and laughs loudly.
“It’s already the end of May? Shit, Clover.
I’m so sorry. I was so sure I’d made it back home in time. ”
What? What the hell is he saying?
Dean relaxes somewhat and offers a tight, wary smile. “Understandable. Time zones play havoc on keeping track of dates.”
“You’re telling me.” Malcom claps his hands together and his grin widens. “Honestly, I can’t believe I missed the ceremony! I bet it was just outstanding. I’m barely even part of the family anymore with how often I’m traveling.”
“Quiet,” I choke out. “It was quiet.” What is happening? Did I wake up in some kind of alternative reality? The last time Malcom and I saw each other, he was screaming in my face about how much he hated me and how he wanted me to crawl off to the sewers and die. Now he’s acting like we’re family?
“Ahh, well, still wonderful, I bet. God, I can’t believe I missed it.”
“Don’t worry,” Dean says. “Your congratulations are enough.”
“Yeah, sorry about the whole—” Malcom motions to his gun. “I only landed a few hours ago. Jet lag and the surprise at seeing someone here, y’know.”
“Don’t mention it.” Dean’s hand slides into mine and his smile grows. “I’m sure Clover is just happy to have you back in one piece.”
“Yeah.” I force myself to smile. “It’s so good to see you, Uncle.”
His smile widens. “Oh, I bet it is.”
“Especially with Hailey missing,” Dean continues, and his words are like a knife to the heart. “I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you.”
Malcom’s eyes dart between us as he nods. “Yeah. Hailey. Such a shame.”
I don’t understand what the hell is going on. Why is he just agreeing and acting like everything is fine? I don’t know if I should be grateful or scared. Maybe both.
“Actually, Dean.” I squeeze his hand and pull him an inch closer. “I don’t know if you had plans today for us or anything, but I’d really like to catch up with my uncle, so maybe we can meet up later.”
“Of course.” Dean’s smile grows easy when he looks in my eyes and he cups my cheek. “I’ll be just a phone call away. Let me know when you’re done.”
“I will.” My heart soars as he kisses me and for a weak moment, I consider asking him to stay. But it’s too much of a risk until I know what the hell Malcom is playing at.
Malcom keeps up the niceties until we’re standing in the lounge watching Dean drive away with Jack. When he spins to face me, the cold, hateful look I’m so familiar with is back in his eyes.
“Didn’t I make myself fucking clear, Clover?” he growls angrily. “I told you I didn’t want to see your fat fucking ass in this house ever again! Imagine my surprise when I come home and find a strange car in the driveway and your fucking stench stinking up my home.”
“Uncle, please! I can explain!” The term sours in my mouth as Malcom grimaces.
“I’m not your fucking uncle, you hear me? It comes with the whole cutting you out like most cut out a tumor. You’re nothing, you hear me?” He stalks toward me, and every alarm bell in my mind starts screaming. “Tell me, how the fuck did something like you bag a Savoy?”
“Dean?” My heart continues to pound and my fingers tremble as I clutch my hands together. “W–We just met.”
“Bullshit,” he sneers. “Someone like Dean would never be seen dead with someone disowned. That’s reputation suicide and I know the Savoys. They’re old blood and old money.” His eyes narrow as he looks me over. “So, what’s really going on? You running a scam or some shit?”
“No!” My voice almost betrays me. “We met and we fell in love. That’s all there is to it. We love each other and we treat each other well. That’s why we got married so fast.”
Malcom studies me with beady eyes as if he’s peeling me apart layer by layer, trying to see deeper inside me. “He doesn’t know, does he?”
“Wh… what?”
“He doesn’t know you’re no longer part of the family.” Malcom laughs suddenly and turns away, walking back toward the window. “You’ve tricked a Savoy into falling in love with you and he doesn’t even know you’re a penniless nobody! How… interesting.”
Tears sting at the back of my eyes. I told myself that my uncle’s return wouldn’t mean anything once Dean and I were married, but I didn’t count on him finding out so soon.
I thought I’d have more time to establish something with Dean before the news reached Malcom’s ears.
News will have barely spread about the wedding, which means if Dean finds out and ends things, no one will be any the wiser.
His reputation will be intact and I will be lost.
Hailey will be gone forever.
“Why the fuck was he asking about Hailey?” Malcom faces me again. “What did you tell him?”
“He, uh…” I scramble to come up with a believable lie. “He looked into the family and saw her. He asked after her and I panicked and just said she disappeared. He seems to want to find her, but I think he was just being nice.”
“Huh.” Malcom rubs at his jaw for a moment, then he breaks into a weird, cold smile. “Well, Clover, congratulations.”
“Huh?” My brow lifts.
“You’ve bagged one hell of a man. A fucking Savoy, of all people.” He approaches and clasps my shoulders despite how I shrink away. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep our little family drama between us for now.” His smile widens and he shakes his head, then he wanders away, muttering, “Dean fucking Savoy.”
That’s it?
He’s going to cover for me? Why isn’t he immediately threatening me or calling Dean back to tell him the truth and ignite my life once more?
What the fuck is going on?