“That’s not why we’re here. Tonight is about my oldest and his celebration in union.”
“Nazai, what’s your fiancée’s name?” one of the members of the press called out.
“Ms., what’s your name?” another one shouted.
Releasing my dad, I turned to face Cashlynn who had a blank face but her body screamed that she was uncomfortable.
I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and tucked her into my side. “I would like to announce my engagement. This is my lovely fiancée, Cashlynn Cavana!”
Murmurs spread and more pictures went off. “Is she related to the same Cavanas that were murdered in their homes recently?”
“Wasn’t she seen as the primary suspect?”
“Is it true her parents were murderers for hire?”
Again, Cashlynn stilled briefly in my arms. My face fell and my mouth thinned. “My soon-to-be daughter in law had nothing to do with the murder of her parents. It was an unfortunate, traumatic event that she and her brother are still grieving and trying to get over. If anyone is seen harassing or printing false information, legal actions will be taken,” Dad said, cutting in.
Part of me expected the questions regarding her family. It was no secret about the murders. The Cavanas weren’t exactly the people to stay off the radar with things. While my family was always in the limelight, our business was mere secondhand rumors among the public. The Cavanas had no code, so the speculation with them was frequent if someone knew what to ask and what to look for.
“When’s the wedding?” someone asked, breaking the silence.
“In two weeks.”
“Why so soon?”
“Are you two marrying in order to combine the illegal activities your families have been rumored to be involved with?”
I narrowed my eyes at the reporter. She had on sunglasses and a hat low over her eyes. She was the main one spitting things out about Cashlynn’s parents.
“I have no clue what illegal dealings you speak of, but I can’t wait to make her my wife. Now, if you all will excuse me, I have other business to handle.” I turned to Cashlynn. She was staring at me with a mixed expression on her face, somewhere between perplexed and amused. It was different from her normal scowl when she looked at me.
My dad stepped up again and spoke. “We are excited to welcome Cashlynn and her brother into the family. She will be a great addition to the family.” His words shocked me. It made me wonder if he was starting to accept my proposal. I could never tell with my dad. He was the master of putting on for the public.
To pull them in more, I reached up, grabbing her by the chin and tilting her head upward. Suddenly, she looked like a deer caught in headlights. I lowered my mouth, ignoring how her body froze, and placed my lips on top of hers. A small gasp fell from her mouth, giving me an in. I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her body closer, pushing my tongue inside her mouth and exploring.
“Kiss me back,” I muttered against her lips.
She grabbed my suit jacket and gripped it tightly, then suddenly a metallic taste filled my mouth as she bit down on my tongue, causing it to bleed. It caught me off guard but turned me on at the same time.
My mom’s voice broke in. “Okay, that’s enough, that’s enough. God, son, save it for home.”
“Yeah, hijo. Not too much in public,” my dad said with a hint of warning in his voice.
I pulled away from Cashlynn whose eyes were a bit bewildered, the lip gloss on her mouth slightly smeared. I licked my lips, tasting the blood from my tongue and smirked. That scowl returned to Cashlynn’s face.
Chuckling, I turned back to the mic. “As y’all can see, my fiancée causes me to lose my composure sometimes. You folks enjoy the rest of the party.” I grabbed Cashlynn’s hand and turned to leave.
When we passed her brother, she made sure to grab his hand and pulled him off the stage into a hallway. Once we were in the hall, Cashlynn snatched out of my hold.
“What was that?” she hissed. Her cheeks were still flushed.
With a crooked grin, I scanned her. “Is it a crime to show my fiancée some love?” I cocked my head to the side.
She pressed her lips together tightly and narrowed her eyes. “Don’t do that again.” She turned to her brother. “Are you okay? Was that too much?”
He shook his head. “I’m fine.”
Cashlynn was usually cold and guarded, except with her brother. I didn’t know what made her so protective and soft with him, but I was curious if she would be the same way with our child. I dropped my attention to her flat stomach, trying to picture her round with my seed.
