The Bloodstained Bride

by Rachel Woods

  “Oh, well, in that case, Ms. Vivian, I can get you a croissant and some coffee to go,” said Lemuel, turning from her.

  “Lemmie, that’s very sweet of you,” said Vivian, putting a hand on the house manager’s arm to stop him. “But, are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Oh, Ms. Vivian, I’ll be fine,” said Lemmie, wringing his hands. “It’s just that we have so many extra people in the house and it’s sort of difficult managing all these different personalities, but please don’t tell Mr. Burt I said that.”

  “No, of course, I won’t,” said Vivian. “But, Lemmie, did someone in the bridal party say something rude to you?”

  Lemuel hesitated. “Not exactly.”

  “What does that mean?” Vivian asked. “Tell me what happened.”

  “It’s just something I saw,” said Lemuel. “Something very disturbing and I don’t know if I should say something or just keep my mouth shut and stay out of folks business.”

  Worried, Vivian asked, “What did you see?”

  After a shaky exhale, Lemmie told her what he’d seen that had been so upsetting to him.

  Shocked, Vivian stared at him. “You’re sure that’s what you saw?”

  “I wish I hadn’t seen it,” said Lemuel. “But, I’m sure. You think I should say something or keep my mouth shut?”

  Still reeling from the house manager’s revelations, Vivian wasn’t sure how she should advise him. “Maybe you should stay quiet, for now anyway. But, I’ll look into things.”

  “Oh, thank you, Ms. Vivian,” said Lemuel, clearly relieved. “I’ll go and get that croissant and the coffee for you.”

  As Lemuel walked out of the kitchen, Vivian walked to the sink and stared out of the window.

  Had Lemmie really seen…? Vivian shook her head. He couldn’t have, could he? But, if the house manager had seen what he’d claimed he saw, then what?

  Vivian drummed her fingers against the marble counter. Should she say something? Or, maybe it was better to just—

  “Hey, sexy chocolate,” said a deep, shiver-inducing voice as lips pressed against her neck.

  Vivian gasped, jumped, and turned.

  Smiling, Leo pulled her into his arms. “Didn’t mean to scare you, babe.”

  “It’s okay,” said Vivian, giving him a lingering kiss. “I was just thinking about something Lemmie told me.”

  “What did Lemmie tell you?”

  Sighing, Vivian said, “It’s about Derek.”

  Leo groaned. “What the hell has he done this time?”

  Reluctant, Vivian took a deep breath and said, “Lemmie said he saw Derek having sex … with Kelsea.”

  11

  “You guys know what we should do?” asked Derek, slouching in his chair at the head of the table.

  Vivian glanced at Leo, sitting directly across the table from her, and wasn’t surprised by her husband’s annoyed expression. She gave him a quick sympathetic smile, hoping to temper his irritation.

  Earlier this afternoon, the wedding party had wrapped up the final rehearsal for the ceremony, which would take place tomorrow, at sunset. Vivian had hoped that Leo’s sour attitude would subside as the wedding day drew closer, but Leo had grown even more grumpy as the day approached. He’d complained that he was just ready to get the damn wedding over so he could move on with his life and get out of Derek’s—hopefully, for good.

  Vivian glanced at Derek and Besi. Before the dinner, she’d asked Leo, “How are Derek and Besi going to sit at that rehearsal dinner and act as though they’re a happy, loving couple when they’re cheating on each other?”

  Leo didn’t have an answer.

  Remembering what Lemmie had confided about Derek and Kelsea, Vivian couldn’t help lamenting the state of Derek’s and Besi’s relationship, such as it was … or, wasn’t. Besi had been having an affair with Tom. Derek was fooling around with Kelsea. Vivian shuddered at the thought of Leo cheating on her with another woman. Of all the trials and tribulations they’d suffered during their relationship, infidelity had never been an issue between them. After she’d met Leo, and fell so deeply for him, Vivian had lost all interest in other men, no matter how accomplished or handsome they were. Even after she and Leo had ended their relationship, she’d never entertained the thought of being with anyone else. Lots of men had pursued her, but Vivian had never been able to imagine herself with anyone except Leo.

  Obviously, neither Besi nor Derek had that problem.

  Not only could the bride and groom see themselves with other people, but they’d already been unfaithful with those alternate partners.

  As her gaze shifted to Kelsea, she thought about the bridesmaid’s dalliance with the groom.

  Lemmie had caught them in the spacious industrial laundry room. Kelsea had been bent over one of the dryers and Derek had been behind her, with his pants around his ankles. With several laundry machines going at the same time, Lemmie didn’t think he’d been noticed, though he’d done a hasty about-face as soon as he’d realized what was happening.

  Whatever Derek was about to suggest, Vivian had a feeling that Leo would refuse to participate.

  As for herself, Vivian resolved to forget about the feelings of disillusionment caused by the dishonesty of Derek Hennessy and Besi Beaumont. As much as she could, she determined to enjoy the evening.

  Her husband had made good on his promise to attend all four of the rehearsals, but he drew the line at any extra socializing with the wedding party or fraternizing with Derek and the groomsmen. He’d wanted to skip the rehearsal dinner, a scrumptious five-course affair on the open-air terrace overlooking the Caribbean, but Vivian had managed to convince him that his presence was required at the pre-wedding tradition.

  “I’m afraid to ask,” said Besi, sitting immediately to Derek’s left.

  “Then don’t,” slurred Winnie, who sat to the right of Vivian.

  Vivian hadn’t been happy when she’d been seated next to Winnie, who had drunk too much champagne and kept leaning over to whisper sarcastic barbs each time Derek and Besi confessed their affection for each other. Though she, herself, was suspicious of the love the bride and groom supposedly had professed toward one another, Vivian hadn’t been in the mood for Winnie’s begrudging envy.

  “We should play ‘Never Have I Ever’!” Derek laughed, slapping his palms against the table. “Just like we used to!”

  Derek’s suggestion had elicited groans, but the protests were half-hearted. Smiling, Vivian glanced around the table, which could seat twenty-four people, somewhat fascinated by the interesting dynamics between the nine friends. Tom and Melanie didn’t seem very enthusiastic about playing, but they appeared willing to indulge Derek, who was determined to get his way. Kelsea was apathetic. Winnie cheered the idea, as did Zeke, who sat on Vivian’s left. Besi didn’t look thrilled but seemed resigned. Shrugging and laughing, Jacob voiced his willingness to participate.

  Arms folded, Leo outright refused to play.

  Vivian frowned, hoping to convey her disappointment in his stubbornness.

  “Aw, c’mon, Leonard Skynard!” Derek cajoled. “Dude, you gotta play! Don’t be the turd in the punchbowl!”

  Tom followed Derek’s lead and tried to pressure Leo into playing the game, using trite antics, questioning Leo’s courage. Vivian wasn’t sure she understood the dynamics between Tom and Derek. She assumed that Tom, who had engaged in secret hook-ups with Derek’s fiancée, would display behavior that suggested he felt superior to Derek because he was fooling around with the alpha’s girl. Nevertheless, Tom seemed submissive to Derek’s overwhelming dominance.

  Tilting her head, Vivian smiled at her husband. “One game wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

  “Might hurt his wallet,” said Winnie, taking another drink of champagne.

  “Fine,” said Leo. “One game. And only one game.”

  With a roar of triumph, Derek jumped to his feet and beat his fists against his chest. “Vivian, have you ever played the game?”

&nbs
p; “I’m familiar with it,” said Vivian. “Someone announces something that they have never done, and if the other players have done that specific thing, then they have to take a shot. Is that right?”

  “We don’t play it the way most people play it,” Derek explained. “We don’t take shots. We play with cash. You have to pay a thousand bucks for everything you’ve done.”

  Vivian said, “So, whoever has done the thing that you haven’t done owes you money.”

  “That’s right,” said Derek. “Imagine. If you haven’t done something that everybody else at this table has done, you could walk away with nine thousand bucks!”

  “Quite a haul,” said Vivian, though she noticed the bridal party didn’t seem fazed. As wealthy as they all were, they probably could pay ten thousand dollars for everything they’d done without raising an eyebrow or batting an eyelash.

  “I’ll start the game,” said Derek. “We’ll go counter-clockwise, so Melanie will go next, and then Tom, then Jacob, Leo, Zeke, Vivian, Winnie, Kelsea, and Besi will go last.”

  With cheers of encouragement, Derek said, “Okay, never have I ever … been arrested for something that I didn’t do!”

  Exhaling, Leo shook his head as the others jeered at him.

  “You owe me money!” Exclaimed Derek, banging on the table as though it was a bongo. “You were arrested for something you didn’t do!”

  “Yeah, and you know I didn’t do it,” said Leo.

  “Because Derek did it,” said Zeke, sniggling.

  “Derek always did it,” said Tom, a trace of sarcasm in his jaunty tone.

  Winnie took another sip of champagne and said, “And Derek always got away with it. He still does.”

  “What do you mean, Winnie?” asked Besi, glaring at Winnie, a definite edge in her voice.

  Saying nothing, Winnie shrugged.

  After clearing his throat, Derek prompted Melanie to go. “Okay, um, let’s see …”

  “How about never have I ever had my own life?” suggested Winnie, her tone derisive though she giggled.

  “Shut up, Winnie,” said Kelsea.

  Scowling at Winnie, Melanie rolled her eyes, and then said, “Never have I ever lied to my best friend.”

  Laughter and jeers circled the table as the bridal party accused Melanie of trying to pull a quick hustle since most of them, including Besi, had to pay her.

  Vivian tried to remain jovial, but it was a struggle. The idea of a lying best friend hit too close to home. She’d never lied to her best friend, but her best friend, Amal, had lied to her. Amal had lied to everyone, and when those lies caught up to her, they had been the cause of her violent murder.

  Sneaking a glance at Leo, she saw the protective concern in his blue eyes. The sadness began to dissipate. Leo understood how Melanie’s statement had affected her, and she loved him even more for his thoughtful sensitivity.

  Tom said, “Never have I ever lied when I told someone I loved them.”

  The statement elicited a few moans from the guests who had to pay, but Vivian suspected Tom had directed the declaration to Besi. A glance at Leo confirmed that her husband was thinking the same thing, remembering the conversation he’d overheard between Tom and Besi.

  Derek said, “Well, Tom, I’ll be keeping my money. I’ve only told one woman that I love her, and my darling Besi knows I would never lie to her.”

  “Give me a fucking break,” said Winnie, snorting and shaking her head.

  “Shut up, Winnie,” ordered Kelsea.

  Ignoring Kelsea, Winnie said, “Besi, don’t you owe Tom some money? Haven’t you lied about loving someone?”

  “I do owe Tom money,” said Besi.

  Derek’s face fell. “You do?”

  “In fifth grade, I told Grover Oppenheimer that I loved him,” said Besi. “But I lied!”

  There was laughter, mostly from Derek and Besi, but Vivian thought it sounded hollow and forced.

  Jacob said, “Never have I ever had a threesome.”

  Kelsea, Derek, Winnie, and Zeke gave Jacob money, complaining that Jacob, the most chaste of the friends, should be barred from using his sexual inexperience to make money.

  “Leonard Skynard,” said Derek, in a sing-song tone. “Don’t you owe Jacob a thousand bucks?”

  Curious, Vivian glanced at her husband, but Leo glared at Derek.

  Smiling mischievously, Derek said, “I seem to recall a trip we took to—”

  “I think it’s my turn to go,” interrupted Leo. Clearing his throat, he said, “Never have I ever loved anyone the way I love my beautiful wife.”

  There were jeers and groans and cries of foul. Vivian joined in on the ribbing, but secretly she was thrilled.

  Zeke said, “Never have I ever shot someone.”

  The only person who had to pay Zeke was Leo, who’d shot someone in self-defense, when he was in the Sudan, reporting on rebel fighting.

  Parroting Leo’s statement, Vivian said, “Never have I ever loved anyone the way I love my handsome husband.”

  Once the jeers and groans calmed down, it was Winnie’s turn. After finishing her fifth, maybe sixth, glass of champagne, she announced, “Never have I ever had sex with Kelsea!”

  Kelsea glared at Winnie. “Seriously, Winnie? Did you really say that?”

  “What is your problem?” Derek demanded, scowling.

  “Pay up, Derek!” Winnie told him. “You owe me a thousand bucks.”

  “I don’t owe you a damn thing,” said Derek, his scowl deepening into a look of rage.

  “According to the rules of this stupid game, you do,” informed Winnie. “I said I never had sex with Kelsea. That means that whoever has had sex with her owes me a thousand dollars, so give me my money, Derek!”

  “Winnie, what the hell is your problem?” demanded Besi.

  Melanie said, “Maybe we should call it a night. We have a big day tomorrow.”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” said Jacob.

  Kelsea stood. “A damn good idea.”

  Zeke stood. “I agree. I need to check in with my secretary before—”

  “I’m not leaving until Derek pays me!” Winnie said.

  “You crazy, drunk bitch!” Derek exploded. Jumping up from his chair, he started to walk toward Winnie. Kelsea tried to stop him, imploring him not to do something he might regret, but when he shrugged her off, Tom and Leo jumped up to intercept him.

  Hoping to stop a tense situation from escalating, Vivian tried to calm Winnie, but the mining heiress wouldn’t listen to reason. Her eyes glassy and her tone rabid, she spewed curses and invectives at Derek.

  “You cheating asshole!” Winnie screamed. “I know you’re banging Kelsea behind Besi’s back!”

  “Shut your mouth, stupid twat!” Besi slapped Winnie.

  “You dumb bitch!” Winnie screamed at Besi. “Derek doesn’t love you! He’s just marrying you for your money!”

  “Besi, that’s a lie!” Derek said. “You can’t believe her! She’s—”

  Lunging at Winnie, Besi grabbed the mining heiress around the throat. Chaos ensued as Besi went full-on bridezilla, punching and slapping Winnie, who held her own with a few well-placed kicks. Derek, Tom, Leo, and Zeke desperately tried to separate the women while Kelsea, Melanie, and Jacob entreated the friends to stop fighting.

  When the two heiresses were finally torn away from each other’s clawing grasps, Besi, heaving with rage, said, “I don’t ever want to see you again! You are out of the wedding! I don’t want you as a bridesmaid or a friend!”

  Wrestling against the restraint of Leo and Tom, Winnie said, “I don’t want to be in your fake wedding! It probably won’t even happen! Derek is going to wake up in the morning, realize what a mistake he’s making, and run for the hills! You’re going to be left standing at the altar, pathetic and alone!”

  With a primal scream of outrage, Besi lunged again, but Derek and Zeke stopped her from ripping Winnie’s head off.

  Moments later, Burt arrived along with Lem
mie and three of the maids.

  As Kelsea, Derek, Jacob, and Zeke recounted the events to Burt, Vivian drifted over to Leo, who’d allowed Melanie to comfort Besi, who now sat in a corner, sobbing uncontrollably. Winnie, pleading her case before Burt, demanded to be taken to a hotel, as she didn’t want to spend another night breathing the same air as Besi.

  Sighing, Vivian said, “Never have I ever played a more intense, melodramatic game of never have I ever.”

  “Neither have I,” said Leo. “Does that mean I owe you a thousand bucks?”

  “No,” said Vivian, slipping an arm around his waist. “But you do owe me an explanation about that threesome.”

  12

  “Beautiful afternoon for a wedding,” whispered Vivian. “Don’t you think, Mr. Bronson?”

  “I suppose,” conceded Leo, sounding as though he was reluctantly impressed. “If you like gorgeous sunset weddings in paradise.”

  Vivian smiled as she stood, arm in arm, with her husband, at the beginning of the sandy path, strewn with thousands of white hibiscus petals, which headed to the altar, a stunning pergola constructed of eight-foot potted palm trees with wide fronds which formed a natural arch over the bride and groom.

  Several feet in front of them, Tom and Kelsea walked in time to a Caribbean version of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” performed by a local steel drum band. Barefoot, they traversed the aisle first, passing between the rows of wedding guests who sat on bamboo chairs decorated with hanging bougainvillea. She and Leo would head down the aisle next. Zeke—who’d agreed to take over the best man duties for Leo when Vivian had been asked to fill in for Winnie at the last minute—would follow them, escorting Melanie, the maid of honor.

  “By the way, you look beautiful,” whispered Leo. “Ravishing, actually.”

  “Like I could be ravished?” she asked, feeling the effects of his low timbre deep below her navel. “Or, like you want to ravish me?”

  “Oh, I plan to ravish you,” said Leo. “As soon as possible, and for a very long time.”

  The feeling below her navel intensified. Her cheeks aflame, she glanced away from Leo’s salacious gaze. No use getting herself all hot and bothered when there was nothing they could do at the moment. Looking to her left, at the guests sitting on the bride’s side, she focused on the well-dressed, well-heeled crowd and wondered if any of them would notice that Winnie Quasebarth was no longer in the wedding party.