Page 21 of Vows in Name Only
“Sure thing.” Gregory cupped Cain’s shoulder once more and squeezed. “We’ll continue our talk later, Cain.”
He didn’t bother replying and as soon as the man disappeared into the crowd, Kenan snorted. “I just met the man, but he has me wanting to take a dip in a bleach bath.” He slid Cain a glance. “No offense.”
“None taken.” Cain sipped his Scotch. “Believe me.”
“Good thing you’re marrying his daughter and not him,” Achilles added, pushing off the small bar. “Although, I have to wonder if you’re really marrying anyone.”
Shock whipped through Cain. “What are you talking about?”
“Devon. Your fiancée,” Achilles said, his deep voice lowering. “She wasn’t wearing a ring during your engagement photo shoot. When a man proposes it’s normally with a ring.”
Shit.He forced himself not to look in Devon’s direction. Or glance down at her bare fingers. He hadn’t thought of buying her a ring—it hadn’t occurred to him. His gut twisted. Who else had noticed? Were they speculating even now about why Cain Farrell hadn’t bought his new fiancée—the woman he was supposed to be hopelessly in love with—an engagement ring?
“I don’t think anyone else has noticed. Or at least they aren’t gossiping about it,” Kenan said.
“At least not within our hearing,” Achilles muttered, tipping his bottle up for a sip.
“Anything you’d like to share?” Kenan asked, cocking his head to the side and studying Cain with a narrowed gaze.
The truth shoved at his throat, catching him by surprise. But he remained silent. Old habits died hard. He’d been the keeper of his family’s secrets for so many years that he was a professional at not sharing his burdens with others. If he didn’t hand over information to people, they couldn’t use it against him.
They couldn’t pity him.
Kenan sighed. “Listen, Cain, I’m well aware you don’t think of us as brothers. And you haven’t known us long enough to trust us. But you don’t have to trust Achilles and me for us to have your back. Whatever you need us to say or do, just tell us. We don’t need to know what’s going on or why. Until you’re ready to share.”
It would’ve meant someone who had your back. No matter what. No questions asked. It would’ve meant not being alone.
Devon’s wistful words drifted to him.
Kenan was right; he didn’t trust them. Given his childhood, he’d learned at too young an age not to have unconditional faith in anyone except his mother. But here stood the two men who shared his DNA and not much else, offering him their loyalty? What had Cain done to earn that?
They were fools to give it.
And yet the words to say so froze on his tongue.
“Thanks,” he said. Clearing his throat, he scanned the room for Devon. He spotted his mother but his “fiancée” no longer stood by her side. “Have either of you seen Devon?” he asked, frowning.
“No,” Achilles said. “Last I saw, her father pulled her away from your mother to speak with her. That was several minutes ago.” He arched an eyebrow. “Why? Is everything okay?”
Cain coerced his lips into a smile. “Of course. If you’ll excuse me.”
He laid his drink on the bar and went in search of Devon and Gregory. What was so important that Gregory would leave his guests to talk to Devon?
Unease slid between Cain’s ribs, lodging in his chest. It couldn’t mean anything good.
For him.
“Dad, what’s going on? Is everything okay?” Devon frowned as she followed her father into the library.
Not that she was complaining about getting a breather from the party. No, she was thankful for the reprieve. These social events were tedious and painful for her at the best of times. But to be the center of attention? The focus of speculative glances and pseudo whispers? Many of which wondered howshe, a fat nobody, had managed to snag one of the most eligible bachelors in the city.
Yes. Torture.
Her father, on the other hand, was in his element. Already, the fruits of his scheming labors were coming to pass with the who’s who of Boston society. He was a king sitting on his throne. All he’d had to do was blackmail a man and sacrifice his daughter’s future to accomplish it.
She studied her father as he strode to the built-in bar on the other side of the library and prepared a drink. She tried not to allow bitterness to swallow her whole. The man who’d taught her how to ride a bike and then tenderly picked her up and wiped her tears after she fell—he couldn’t have entirely disappeared. The man her mother had loved still had to exist. And because of those memories and occasional glimpses of that loving, supportive father... Because of her mother and the promise Devon had made to her...she couldn’t give up on him. She had to believe the man he’d been wasn’t completelylost.
“How’re you and Cain getting along?” he asked, his back to her.
