Page 16 of Sweet Wicked Vows
Evelyn shook her head, the motion tight. “No, not Lola. It’s just… something’s happened… nothing bad, don’t worry. It’s just, I did something you might not be too happy about.”
Jésus putain de christ.
“We got married,” I said bluntly. “Evelyn and I are married. She didn’t wish to tell you because of your…condition.She wanted to wait until you were better, of course.” I smiled, the corner of my jaw ticking. “But I couldn’t wait any longer.”
Lexington stared at his daughter. “Evie, is this true?”
She exhaled, her shoulders slumping back into my touch. “Yes.”
“You’re not pregnant, are you?” her brother exclaimed. “Is this one of those shotgun weddings? Get married before the baby bump shows? Because that’s a pretty screwed up reason to marry someone.”
“Fucking hell, Flynn. I’m not pregnant.”
A vein throbbed on Lexington’s temple. “Your engagement to Laurence only ended a couple months ago, didn’t it?”
“Yes, but it’s complicated. It all sort of happened so fast.” She tried to keep her voice steady. “This thing with Jaxon—we both got swept up in it.”
“You always tell me everything.” Lexington weakly rubbed his jaw. “Why didn’t you feel like you could tell me about him? Is it because he is our competitor?”
“You got sick, Dad.” She reached across the table for his hand. “I didn’t want to upset you. Like you said, Jaxon is our competition, and I wasn’t sure how you would handle it. We… we fell in love.”
“And got married.” Her father dared a glimpse in my direction. “Did you even bother to sign a prenup?”
She shook her head.
How delicious it was to see his anger writhing around under his calmly gray skin. Concern danced across his glassy gaze, and fuck, if it didn’t give me a thrill.
The old man should be worried, very fucking worried.
I was going to take everything from him.
And the icing on the cake, I’d take his precious daughter, too. Corrupt her all for my own pleasure and leave her broken by the end.
“I wanted you to know…” Evelyn held her father’s hand. “If anything ever happens to you, I’m going to be okay. Jaxon will be by my side now. He’ll keep me and the company safe.”
“You know, while I’m here, you will always have me to turn to for help, and don’t forget you have your brother.” Lexington turned to his son. “You and Evie, you are the future of the business now. The two of you can keep each other right. Keep the business going strong.”
“Of course, Dad.” The brother nodded. “You know we will.”
I swallowed a laugh. “Your children are far from ready to take over such a large company as yours. Neither of them have real experience in that world. Attending functions, drinking champagne, partying, and spending money is not the same as actually running a company.”
“Watch your tone,” Lexington snapped.
“Why? We’refamilynow, after all.” I grinned wickedly. “Like Evelyn said, you won’t be around forever.” I placed a firm hand on the nape of Evelyn’s neck. “And with me by her side, I can make sure that your life’s work remains what it is and more.”
Her elevating pulse throbbed against my touch, but she refused to move a muscle. “Think about it, Dad. When I step in until Flynn is ready, I will have Jaxon to help me. You’ve been worrying yourself sick about me doing it. Don’t try and pretend you haven’t. This way, you can stop stressing.”
“You said you would never marry for this, Evie.” His chest rattled as he inhaled deeply. “Just because I am unwell, it does not mean you have to do this.”
“I am in love,” Evelyn said without hesitation. “I love Jaxon. I realize it’s sudden and it seems like I’m maybe just rebounding from Laurence. But the feelings we have for each other, they’re real.”
She lied so beautifully.
What other wonders could such a wickedly pretty mouth do?
Her father blinked, tears catching in his bottom eyelashes. “I didn’t get to walk you down the aisle.”
That was enough to bring Evelyn to her demise. Teardrops trailed down her cheeks.