Page 37 of Peyton's Price

“I said I can call Pietro for a fitting—if you’re willing, that is.” Caroline smiled, showing off her blindingly white teeth.

“A fitting for what?”

“Err…for your dress. I hope you won’t mind being paired with my cousin Eustace. He has two left feet, but he’s been taking lessons so he should be shipshape by then.”

“Dress?” Enlightenment came slowly. “Are you asking me to be a bridesmaid at your wedding?” The one toLiam?

She’d thought she couldn’t feel worse, but she’d been wrong. The pain had grown too sharp. Somewhere in her head, a bubble burst. Blessed numbness followed.

“Yes, I was going to ask before, but then you got that job. But you’re back now, and I know it would mean the world to Liam,” Caroline rushed on, putting a hand on his arm. “He’s been beside himself with worry, but now everything will go back to normal. We can all get on with our lives.”

“Caroline, now is not the time,” Liam growled. “Peyton has been through a—”

“I’m fine,” Peyton rasped, finding her voice. “But I can’t be a bridesmaid. I’m sorry. It would be…against guidelines.”

“Guidelines?” Caroline repeated. She stared, apparently at a loss for the first time since Peyton had known her.

“What guidelines?” Trick echoed.

“The ones where I don’t expose myself. There’s a whole list. So, no, I can’t be a bridesmaid.”

“Is this something Matthias Raske told you?” Liam asked with a frown. Caroline’s lashes fluttered, but it was her only reaction to the man’s name.

“Technically, they’re Priya’s rules.” Peyton took a tiny sip of juice. “I have to keep a low profile, and your wedding would be anything but. I’m sure the pictures will be all over the papers and gossip sites. The slavers might come after me again if they knew I was walking around free. Maybe they’d go after Matthias as well, although that’s less likely with his army of staff and security personnel.”

There was a pointed silence.

“Oh, of course.” Caroline nodded. “I should have realized. Well, perhaps we can find another role for you, something in the background.”

“Thank you,” Peyton murmured, wondering why Liam didn’t say anything.

Brunch ended with her still waiting.

Chapter 19

Peyton studied the grey late-afternoon sky from her temporary suite as Maggie and Trick fought over who would open the bottle of wine. Neither had mentioned brunch or their brother’sfiancéefor the last few hours. Thalia had fallen asleep half an hour ago, too tired to keep her eyes open. Trick had carried his very pregnant wife next door for an overdue nap, but he’d come back. He threw himself on the couch in front of the television set until it had gotten late enough for it to be socially acceptable to drink. They were starting their second bottle.

She knew neither of Liam’s siblings liked Caroline very much, but the funereal air they maintained was almost comical. Not that Peyton felt like laughing. She was still numb. For now, at least. But the pain waited on the other side of her icy shield.

This is it—this is rock bottom.

It won’t ever be this bad again, she promised herself.

This was her own fault. She had let herself hope. Dumbass.It had been a mistake, and the only person she had to blame was herself. True—Matthias had lit the spark with his baseless conjecture, but she’d been the one who set herself on fire hoping for what could never be.

Trick and Maggie kept exchanging worried looks as if they were waiting for Peyton to burst into tears. She half expected them herself, but they didn’t come.

Maybe I’ve cried myself out.A few years ago, there had been a time when she’d cried herself to sleep on a regular basis, usually when Liam started dating a new woman. His model period had been especially rough. But today, her eyes were so dry they stung. Perhaps she’d shed all the tears she was going to. Wouldn’t that be something? She had run out of tears for Liam.

Or I’m dehydrated…

“Peyton, I’m sorry about Caroline,” Maggie said, finally bringing up the disastrous brunch. She handed her a very full glass of wine.

Peyton handed it back. “I think I need water, not wine.”

Trick went behind the bar, then tossed her a bottle. She caught it one-handed, opening it and taking a swig.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.

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