Page 13 of Wedding Whitney (Alaska Blizzard #4.5)

I’ve never loved being an asshole as much as I do at this moment.

I’ve essentially publicly outed Canyon and Brett while allowing them to save face—all for the tidy sum of two million dollars.

Lillian looks amused, Whitney looks confused, and Taira and Delilah are trying not to laugh. Obviously, they know what their husbands have been up to and find my little twist entertaining.

At least, I hope so.

Not that it matters.

I’d never take money from them, and certainly not as a payoff to make me leave Whitney.

Whatever our future holds, I’m ready, willing, and able to face it as long as she’s by my side. We’ll figure out the testing, genetics, kids, and whatever else life throws at us together.

That’s all there is to it.

I had a brief moment of insecurity, but there’s nothing that will keep me away from her.

“You’re a sneaky man,” Whitney whispers to me.

“Sometimes.” I squeeze her thigh under the table, briefly sliding my hand under her dress. “By the way, I really fucking love you in pink.”

“You’re going to like me even better in nude,” she murmurs.

I chuckle.

“You’re a bastard.” Canyon comes over to stand next to me, and I slowly get out of my seat.

“I’m not the one who tried to buy off my daughter’s fiancé three days before the wedding.”

“Dad?” Whitney gets up as well. “What is he talking about?”

“You’re not going to be able to have children!” Brett hisses, joining us. “Someone had to protect you from yourself since you obviously can’t make good decisions.”

“We can adopt. We can use sperm donors. We have a million options for children if we can’t conceive together.” Whitney shakes her head. “And anyway, it’s none of your business.”

“It is when your grandmother is leaving you the whole fucking company!” Canyon hisses.

“Lower your voice, Canyon.” Lillian watches them intently. “I cannot believe what I’m hearing. You tried to buy Jake off? Did you truly think that would work?”

“He took the money!” Brett snaps.

“And donated it to our favorite charity.” I laugh. “Joke’s on you, buddy.”

“I want to see the two of you in my office, right now.” Lillian turns on her heel, calling over her shoulder. “And I suggest you make haste.”

“Jesus fucking Christ.” Brett stomps off after her, and Canyon looks at me warily.

“I will make it my mission in life to ruin you,” he says.

“And I’ll make it mine to tell you to go fuck yourself regularly.” I just smile.

“Dad, stop it.” Whitney finally speaks up. “I don’t know why you’re doing this, but please just stop. Even if you don’t like my choice in a husband, you’re not the one who’s marrying him. You have to let this go.”

“You’ve been a thorn in my side since the day you were born!” he says under his breath. “As the only girl, you’ve been spoiled, doted on, and groomed for something that you don’t deserve.”

“Why? Because I’m a woman.”

“Exactly.”

Whitney sucks in a breath, as if shocked, and I move closer to her.

“That’s pretty sexist.”

“Fuck you.” Canyon turns and stalks off in the other direction.

“What is wrong with him?” Whitney asks, though it’s probably rhetorical.

“Look, forget about it, okay? We’re good. Your grandmother loves us. Our friends are all here in town now, and the next three days are going to be amazing.”

She leans against my chest. “I really hope so, because so far, I’m ready to run away from home.”

“Soon enough we’ll both run away.” I bring her hand up to my lips. “And until then, let’s just have fun.”

“Okay.” She nudges me. “Wanna go eavesdrop on Gran yelling at Dad and Brett?”

I laugh. “If you really want to, but I’d rather sit here and get to know the rest of your family.”

“I was just kidding. I’d rather do that too.”

We smile at each other before turning to the other guests.