Page 67 of The Devil's Deceit

I should be good, unless Christian has a period kink he hasn’t yet revealed to me. Once we’re married, I’ll have far more freedom to poke around without fear of interruption. With any luck, I’ll find the evidence I’m looking for quickly, and escape before the ink has dried on the wedding certificate.

Is it odd that having that thought doesn’t make me break out in to a happy dance? Instead, it makes me feel as though I’ve lost it all in a game of chance.

“You look freaking gorgeous.” Juliet comes to stand beside me and touches her head to mine. “A fucking princess.”

“You’re one to talk. You look incredible.”

“No one will be looking at me, Grace.” We lock eyes in the mirror, and whatever she sees in mine makes her spring into action. “Okay, everyone, I need some alone time with my bestie. Off you go.” She shoos the entourage out before closing the door with a firm click. “Come and sit down.”

“I can’t. I’ll crease my dress.”

“Fuck the dress. I’ll make sure the photographer only takes pictures from the front. Now, come and sit down. I want to talk to you.”

Sighing, I perch on the end of the couch and ready myself for a Juliet special.

“How long have we known each other?”

“I can’t count that high.”

“Exactly. Which means I’m your ride or die. Your go-to in times of crisis. Your sister from another fucking mister. So, you listen to me, Gracie. Anytime you need me, you call. Day or night; I don’t care. I know how hard these last few months have been, and how devastated you are, how raw your grief is, but I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that I’m here for you. Today, tomorrow. Always.”

Tears rush to my eyes. I blink them away, but one falls, rolling down my cheek until it drips off my jaw and plops onto the dress. “I’m scared, Juliet.”

“I know, babe. It’s why I hate this for you. I wish there was another way.”

I shake my head. “No, you don’t understand.” I dash away another tear. “I’m scared that I’ll end up falling for the enemy, and then where will I be? Arron will never forgive me, and as for Uncle Daniel…” A shiver trickles down my spine.

“Fuck Arron, and fuck Daniel.” She cups my face and brings our foreheads together. “If you fall for him, then youhave to ask yourself if he is the enemy you believe him to be, because you’re intuitive, Gracie. You sniff out the bad ones like a bloodhound. If you fall in love with Christian, then I’m not sure he’s the enemy so much as a potential victim, just like you. By all means, mine for the dirt. Just be prepared not to find any.”

“And what if I fall for him and then find evidence to prove he’s culpable? What then?”

“You’re putting roadblocks in the way that haven’t even been built yet. Take it one day at a time. Today, you get married. As for tomorrow, see what it brings.”

“You’ve always had my back.”

“Never going to change, babes.”

There’s a knock at the door, and Juliet gets up to answer it. Before she turns the handle, she glances over her shoulder.

“Remember what I said. You need me, I’m here. I’ll burn the world rather than let you down.” She opens the door. “Oh, Mr. De Vil. Come in.”

Charles enters, cutting a handsome figure in his black morning jacket and gray trousers. It’s easy to see where Christian gets his looks from. His mother was a stunner, and his dad would give George Clooney a run for his money.

I rise from the chair, smoothing out my dress.

“Grace, what a picture you are.” He walks over to me, his smile a mile wide.

“Thank you.”

“You’re probably wondering why I’m here. Well, I know you sadly lost your father some years ago, and your mother more recently. Therefore, I wonder if you would do me the honor of allowing me to give you away.”

My jaw drops. I hadn’t seen that one coming. I press my fingers to my mouth, my chest expanding with gratitude.My wedding to Christian may be fake or, as this family call it, arranged, but there’s nothing fake about Charles’s offer.

“It would be my pleasure.”

He sticks out his arm. “Shall we? Your groom awaits, and I’m not spilling any secrets when I tell you he is ridiculously excited to make you his wife. I, too, am bursting with pride that you will become my third daughter-in-law. Welcome to the family, Grace.”

My throat is like sandpaper, and all I can do is nod. In pursuing my desire for the truth and, yes, for revenge, through Christian, I’m dragging his entire family into the quagmire.