Page 30 of Sworn to Defend
“Rochelle let me know of the mistake with your guest rooms.” Her mother began to descend the staircase. “I was half expecting you to show up looking for a place to stay last night.”
“Thanks for the heads-up. You could’ve saved us the trouble of trying to check into our rooms with a quick phone call,” she said just as Hunter wrapped a reassuring arm around her waist.
“With all the preparations for the wedding, it must’ve slipped my mind. I do have your rehearsal dinner gown here. Regina, tell one of the help to go fetch it. Of course, you’ll need to stay here for the remainder of the events. It will be better that way.”
“We’ve already made other arrangements.” Hunter’s deep voice filled the large, echoey space.
“Then Hannah will stay here. And Collin,” her mother added in her grandson like an afterthought. She gritted her teeth, about to ask her why she didn’t ask where he was when Hunter’s low grumble made her take pause.
“Hannah is standing right here, and she’ll stay wherever she wants to. Collin will be staying with me.”
Her mother opened her mouth to speak, but she beat her to it. “I came over early because I want to see Vivienne.” She hated that she couldn’t just run up the stairs and burst into her room.
“That’s not possible.” Her mother looked down at Hannah from her perch on the grand staircase.
There was a commotion upstairs, the scuffle of feet, and one of the doors slammed open and shut.
“Hanni.” Vivienne rushed past their mother and ran down the stairs. She wore a silk robe and her feet were bare. Her hair was blown out into loose curls that fell over her shoulders and down her back. Her skin and makeup were flawless, but her big blue eyes were filled with varying emotions. First relief, then hesitation, and finally a look so hopeless, anger coursed through Hannah’s veins. The expression was gone as quickly as it came, and Vivienne wrapped her arms around her, hugging her so hard, she could barely breathe.
“I’m so happy for you,” she whispered. “He’s so cute,” she added before pulling away. Something told her Hunter would get a kick out of being called cute, as she was sure no one had ever described her big, tough SEAL that way.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Vivienne held out her hand and Hunter shook it, a strange look passing over his face before he blanked his expression and jammed his hands in his pockets.
“You as well. And congratulations.” Congratulations? Hunter knew exactly how Vivienne felt about marrying Scott. Hadn’t he seen the text messages yesterday?
Vivienne nodded and plastered on a smile so fake it made her cringe. “I’m really so glad to see you, but I have to finish getting ready for the photo shoot. I’ll see you tonight at the rehearsal dinner. I can’t wait for you to see the dress I chose for you. It’s going to be magnificent.” With one last pleading look that Hannah didn’t understand, her younger sister turned and walked back up the stairs, not meeting Regina’s or their mother’s eyes. A smirk that could only be described as triumphant spread slowly over her mother’s face. A woman in a nondescript black dress quickly descended the stairs with her head low.
“Thalia, what took you so long?” her mother snapped. Not for the first time Hannah was so glad she’d escaped her parents’ suffocating clutches.
“Sorry, ma’am.” She continued down the stairs quickly and silently. When the maid got past Regina, a smile lit her face. Hannah was stunned by how young she appeared. There was an impish light in her olive green eyes. Maybe this maid was a friend of Vivi’s. Perhaps she’d played a part in the scuffle she heard upstairs.
“For you, miss.” When the woman held out the garment bag and winked, Hannah was sure her suspicions were correct.
“Thank you.” She hoped her tone conveyed her appreciation. Thalia nodded and scurried away.
“You only have seven hours to get ready for the event, Hannah,” her mother said as though it wouldn’t nearly be enough time.
“Your hair and makeup team will meet you and the other bridesmaids at the venue. You can bring your dress and they’ll get you ready.”
She opened her mouth to protest, not ready to leave Vivienne, but Hunter gripped her arm. “Let’s get going.”
She started to whirl on him. Was he really siding with her family? Didn’t he see the look in her sister’s eyes? The hard expression on his face stopped her in his tracks.
“I’ll be there,” she said to Regina and let Hunter lead her back through the foyer to the front door. The cool air inside the house was swallowed up as they stepped into the bright sunshine. “What the hell was that?” she bit out.
“In the car, baby, and I’ll explain.” His voice was so low she almost missed the words. The pent-up breath she was holding whooshed out of her lungs. Hunter was on her side. She just had to keep trusting him. Whatever he saw or heard that had him retreating from the house, taking her away from her chance to talk to Vivienne, had to be important. They rounded the bubbling fountain and got into the SUV Silver had given them the keys to this morning.
Hunter said nothing when they drove down the long driveway and took a left out of the gates. He turned his directional on as they neared a gas station, pulled into a parking spot, and put the vehicle in park. Hunter unbuckled and reached into his front pocket. “When Vivienne shook my hand she slipped me this. I wanted to get us out fast so we could read it. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“After my initial anger, I reminded myself I was being silly. That I trust you.” The paper he handed her was folded up into a compact square, so tiny she was afraid she was going to rip it as she carefully opened it and spread it out on her lap.
I told Scott I didn’t want to marry him. He said he knew, but it was too late, that our families had already made the arrangements. I tried to leave, but Father wouldn’t allow it. He says a lot is resting on this wedding. I overheard him saying some terrible things. I don’t know what to do. Regina has been spying on all of my messages. She read the ones I sent you and took my phone away so I couldn’t text you. Rochelle also canceled your rooms at the hotel, thinking you’d come to stay at the estate so Regina can keep an eye on you.
I’m only able to write this because Mother was gloating this morning that you texted my phone to say you were coming, but she wasn’t going to let me see you. I don’t know how I’m going to lose Regina at the dinner, but as soon as I can, I’m leaving. I haven’t been a good sister, and I don’t want you to get into trouble, but I don’t know who else to trust.
Be careful, Hannah. I think there’s more going on than just the wedding. If I’m able to get out, meet me tomorrow morning at the Lone Star Motel, room five. I’m so sorry to drag you into this, Hanni Banani.
Love, Vivi