Epilogue
Six months later
“She’s really pretty.”
Nate’s “huh” of acknowledgement is neither a confirmation or a denial. He’s been off ever since Emily and Quinn arrived a week ago. She seems perfectly lovely to me, and the complete opposite of Quinn, but Nate’s hackles are up every time she’s near either of us.
We wander along the front terrace, gazing at the small crowd gathered in our home. “Are you ever going to tell me why you two don’t get on?” There’s something there, a hidden secret buried between them. I see it when Emily catches his eye. Her face is an open book, soft, kind.
Despite the happy occasion, the feeling of being under surveillance has only intensified. Being around Nate’s brother sets my nerves on edge. It’s been six months, but it still feels like yesterday. The visions of Quinn facing off the Yakuza with Nate in that warehouse, the blood they both spilled, the pain and death—it’s all still at the forefront of my mind, warning me that nothing’s been resolved.
When it’s just me and Nate, I can pretend, ignore it all, but I’m getting restless now that I don’t know all the details. And Quinn makes me more so, constantly whispering things to Nate out of earshot.
I squeeze Nate’s hand as he takes mine and imagine Quinn’s reaction if he knew we were already married.
“If Quinn and Emily are here, does that mean we can get back to some normalcy?”
“No.” He cuts me off. “We can talk about it after the wedding. I promise.”
I try not to be disappointed with his response. It’s not like anything has changed just because Quinn’s made an honest woman of Emily, as honest as marrying a man like that is anyway. We’re still in hiding, away from dangerous eyes and people with grudges.
The setting of the wedding brings back memories of the day Nate proposed and had me saying ‘I do’ before I knew what was happening. Not that I’d change my decision to marry him. I love him with all my heart, but this is the kind of dream my childhood hopes remember, the family I longed for all those years.
Emily’s white dress clings to her hourglass shaped figure beautifully. The light fabric billows around her legs as it catches in the breeze, and the diamante embellishments catch in the sunbeams soaking the beach. Guests gaze at her as I do now, congratulating her on her wedding and toasting the air between her and Quinn. It would have been the style of dress I’d have chosen if Nate had given me any kind of time to plan. I pout at the thought and smooth my orange organza dress down, irritated that I can’t shout about our marriage like Quinn and Emily are doing.
“Let me get you another glass of champagne.” Nate plants a reassuring kiss to my forehead before moving across the courtyard to the table where a dozen glasses are set up waiting.
Our home has been transformed into a luxury destination wedding resort. Not that it needed a lot of adjustments. Waiters and waitresses scatter about between the grounds and the beach, ensuring the crowd are all well attended. We could give the resort on Bora a run for its money.
“Everything okay?” Joe wanders up to me. He’s been my shadow for six months, and we’ve struck up a friendship of sorts.
“Fine.”
“Yet I hear disappointment.”
“It’s just been a long time in one place for me. It’s hard.” He doesn’t comment but looks out at where Nate has gone to collect a drink. It’s not like he can say anything in response, is it? Nate pays his wages. I’ve never had friends in my life, but it’s times like this when I wish I did. The thought has me looking at Emily again. If anyone knows this life, then surely, she must. Although, there doesn’t appear to be a devious bone in her body, which is yet another conundrum as to why she’s anywhere near her husband.
They head over to Nate, and his body language instantly screams hostility as she approaches. If I hadn’t spent the last week with her, I’d insist that she’s offended or slighted Nate in some way, but that’s just not the type of woman she seems to be. Quinn is awfully possessive, never letting her out of his reach. It’s an interesting side to him—a side that smiles a real sense of happiness, something I’ve not seen once from him previous to this week. Perhaps he’s not as bad as I have him racked up to be. The juxtaposition of his persona here is as perplexing as the rest of the Cane world.
The three of them eventually turn to head in my direction. I suck in a breath, waiting to congratulate the newlyweds, tipping my wide brimmed hat down to shield the sunlight from my face.
“Emily, congratulations. You look stunning.” She blushes at my comment, practically beaming under my gaze.
“Thank you, Gabby,” she replies, gathering her dress out of the way so Quinn doesn’t step on it. “And thank you again for letting us use your place. It’s a perfect setting.”
“Yes, it is.” There’s a whimsical note to my voice that I can’t help. This place is paradise, has been since the moment we arrived. Nate is back at my side in a second, and I lean into him, thankful for his contact.
“So, when are you two going to follow us down the aisle?” Emily asks, lifting her champagne flute as her eyes flash down to the sapphire on my hand.
I turn to Nate, lifting my brow in question. I still don’t know why we have to hide this from them.
“Marrying a Cane takes guts, Em,” Quinn says smoothly, levelling me with a firm stare as if he’s laying down a challenge. “As I’m sure you already know.” She snickers and moves into him, her fingers linking into his.
“I agree.” I hold his stare and square my shoulders, still ready to show my commitment to Nate. “We’ll be sure to let you know when we set a date.” My smile is devious and aimed directly at Quinn. If he gave me a chance he’d see me as an asset not a threat. Even the few times he’s been out here to visit Nate, it’s been the same, as if I have to fight him for Nate the entire time. Wife beats brother in my book. He needs to wake up and realise I’m not going anywhere.
“Why don’t we go for a walk, let the bride and groom speak to a few more guests,” Nate says, tugging my hand to lead me away through the guests and towards the beach. “You wanna tell me what that was that all about?”
I sigh. I don’t know what it’s all about, just my frustrations getting the better of me.
