Page 38 of Trust

“Royal, there you are. I dropped you off, and you just disappeared on me.”

“I saw Jakob hiding over here whispering into his phone.”

He blinked as he looked at the calculated look in Royal’s eyes. The woman was a piece of work. “I wasn’t hiding or whispering. My sister was checking in because she was ordered to bed rest today.”

“Is this the sister who is a nympho?”

The rumor Jules’s ex-fiancé had started about her still pissed him off. And what woman used that term?

“Has anyone told you you don’t live up to your name?” She blinked at his harsh tone. He was a nice guy, but he had a bad temper. He rarely lost it, and it usually was when people were being dicks. “No? Well, since I know a few of them myself, and in case you didn’t know, the Wulf Family is in the line of succession in England.”

Yes, about seventy people had to die, but that wasn’t important. “So, I know what I’m talking about. You need to learn some manners.”

He slipped away then, ignoring her gasp and her friend. Jakob still couldn’t understand what his friend saw in the woman. She was mildly attractive, but she caked on makeup, which made her look garish compared to the locals.

He made his way into the hotel lobby. Having been raised in the hotel business, Jakob took in the resort once again. It wasn’t a Wulf property, but it was beautiful. He smiled at an attendant who greeted him.

“I’m here for the Kingston wedding. I’m one of the groomsmen.”

“Of course, Mr. Wulf,” the man said, smiling at him. “Mr. Kingston has a suite upstairs. Here is your key, and the room number is written on it.”

He tipped the man and headed to the elevators. He was still irritated with Royal and her nastiness towards Jules. There was something off about Royal. Who in their right mind would bring up those rumors about Jules, especially to his face?

The elevator doors opened, and only one person was on the lift. His heart tripped up a few ticks as he spied Lani.

“Hey, there. I was coming to see where you were,” she said.

Jakob’s brain froze. He seemed to have lost the ability to talk. Words. Those weren’t coming to him. His entire body felt electrified by the vision before him. She was already dressed and ready for the wedding. Her hair was in a low bun, but two long tendrils had been left out, and they framed her gorgeous face. As usual, her makeup was subtle, but her eye shadow was darker, highlighting her golden eyes. Her lips were ruby red, and he wanted a taste.

But then…the dress. It was a simple dress with one shoulder exposed. The ivory material looked soft, and the explosion of pink and purple flowers definitely nodded to her love of her Hawaiian culture.

She. Was. Stunning.

“Jakob?”

There was worry in her voice. Good thing because he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to talk again. She stepped closer, and her sweet scent seemed to wrap around him.

“Are you okay?”

That’s when he heard the whispering. He turned and looked. Great, freaking people were looking at them. One or both of them had been recognized. Wanting…needing…privacy. He hit the elevator button again. It hadn’t gone anywhere, so he crowded her back onto the lift, then hit the button before anyone could get on.

“You look amazing.”

The furrow in her brow eased as a cute blush stole over her cheeks. Had no one ever told this woman how gorgeous she was?

“Thank you.”

“I’m not that late, am I? I just saw Royal, and she wasn’t ready.”

She rolled her eyes. “She and her bridesmaids are running behind, but they are not my job. You are.”

He blinked. “Excuse me?”

She smiled. “Sorry. I’m wrangling all the guys. That’s why I’m ready.”

“Am I the last to arrive?”

She nodded. “Most of the groomsmen stayed here last night.”

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