“Well, I may have mentioned it to a couple people, but only after I heard about it from your sister.”
Bryce cringed. “Bree knows?” It was bad enough his sister had been sending out matchmaking vibes before, now he’d never get her to leave it alone.
“Nope. Angel.”
Shit. If Angel knew, then so did their mother, seeing as their baby sister didn’t know how to keep a secret of any kind. And if his mother knew…
He chanced a quick look behind him where he’d spotted his father hovering at the edge of the gathering earlier. He wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or worried when his father didn’t seem to notice him.
“Just do me a favor, all right? Stay out of the water.” Alex grinned and took a spot to Bryce’s left, close enough to see or hear anything—like Dante getting in his face—but far enough away he wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire if anything went down.
Clever bastard.
Music drifted on the air and everyone turned around to catch a glimpse of Bree walking down the flower-lined aisle in the sand.
Everyone was dressed casually except Bree. Not one for following the traditional route, she’d surprised everyone by choosing a big, puffy gown that seemed to sparkle as the setting sun caught the gems sewn into the skirt.
Bryce had found himself being dragged from dress shop to dress shop early one Saturday morning a couple months back—again because of his incredible luck—and had been there when she’d discovered her dress. He’d been in the middle of sending a text about a case when Angel had dug her elbow into his side, and he looked up to see what she was pointing at.
As great as Bree had looked then, tonight she looked amazing. She seemed oblivious to everyone, though, her gaze locked solely on Finn, and the blissful smile that stole across her face caught Bryce in the chest.
Whatever his issues with the Calders, he knew he should be thanking Finn for making his sister so damn happy it almost hurt to look at her.
Not once did Bree’s attention stray from the man waiting for her beneath the arbor, and when he reached out to take her hand, both their eyes were bright and shiny.
Bryce looked away, his gaze seeking Darby. Standing a little ahead of him, she wiped at a tear that ran down her cheek, her smile almost as brilliant as Bree’s. She’d worn her hair down tonight, the riotous waves falling over her bare shoulders and into the deep V at the back of her pale yellow sundress.
Everything from her bare feet to the single yellow flower in her hair above her ear was simple and understated, and yet she was easily the most beautiful woman on the beach.
He closed his eyes, wishing like hell that last thought hadn’t shot across his mind, and when he opened them Darby looked back at him.
Their eyes met and held.
Assuming she’d still be angry, he’d avoided her since arriving on the beach, leaving him completely unprepared for the smile that slowly curved her lips.
The smile wasn’t really meant for him—they were just sharing a moment of happiness for their siblings—and only one other time had he ached so much for things to be different that it was a physical pain in his stomach.
Ten years ago he would have moved heaven and earth to make things different, to make up for not telling her who he was. He’d spent so long hearing about the Calder and Lancaster rivalry that he’d just assumed she wouldn’t want to have anything to do with him if she knew from the start.
The first couple of days they’d spent together in Florida, he’d bounced between dreading she’d figure it out and wishing she would so he could stop pretending he didn’t know who and what she was. The harder he fell for her, the more he’d worried about what would happen when she knew the truth.
He’d finally made up his mind to tell her, but his friend ended up outing him on their last day in Florida. She’d assumed the worst—that he’d been playing her—and left before he could figure out how to prove to her that nothing about their time together had been a game.
Instead of returning to college, he’d followed her back home, surprising his father with both a visit and the startling fact that he might be in love with Darby Calder. He’d anticipated his father’s shock and disapproval, but he hadn’t expected Darby to refuse to speak to him or to send her brother to warn him to stay away from her.
Twice.
Cheers rang out, and he was pulled back into the present just in time to see Bree wrap her arms around Finn. The ecstatic groom gave the whole group a show by swinging her into a low dip as he kissed her.
Darby had already rushed forward to congratulate her brother, leaving Bryce staring after her and trying to ignore the awful, gut-wrenching sensation that he might not have fully gotten over her.
* * *
“How’s the truce working out?”
Darby looked up from her half-eaten wedding cake just as her father sat next to her.
He absently motioned to her glass, but didn’t voice the question at least half a dozen other people already had—what was she drinking tonight?
She laughed. “It’s water. After last night I’m sticking with fluids that don’t lead to dehydration and needing to be escorted around the resort.”
A playful whoop rode on the air, and Darby saw Finn swing Bree around in a wide circle.
“Did you ever worry it wouldn’t work out for them?”
“Not because she’s a Lancaster, if that’s what you’re wondering.” He fiddled with the napkin. “Dante and I already had that conversation a while back, and you two tend to think the same way.”
“Not always.” Last night would have definitely turned out differently if she had been thinking like her brother.
“Not always,” her father agreed. “Every couple has their share of problems that creep up. Finn and Bree won’t be any exception. They’ll just have the added headache of dealing with families that won’t always see eye to eye.”
Across the room, Bree’s father approached the newlyweds. “It would probably be easier if he wasn’t so disapproving.”
“The friction between our families isn’t entirely Tom’s fault.” He leaned forward, crossing his arms on the table. “You see that scar on his cheek, next to his ear? I gave him that.”
“You two got in a fight?”
Her father laughed. “No. I was practicing my golf swing with my dad’s club and he got too close.”
She couldn’t imagine the pair of them golfing together, when she’d never seen them exchange more than a civil nod to acknowledge each other. “How old were you?”
“Twelve, I think.”
“I didn’t know you two were ever friends.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“What happened?” And why had she never heard anything about this before?
“Tom’s grandfather. Tom needed stitches from the golf club and when his grandfather found out I was the one who caused the trip to the ER…”
“That doesn’t seem like a reason to hate our entire family. The scar isn’t exactly disfiguring.”
“For as long as I can remember there has always been friction between the Calders and Lancasters, but for us, it was the car accident that changed everything.” Her father stood up without offering any more of an explanation. “Your mother is waving me over. I’d better get over there before she sends Dante to get me.” He dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head.
“Dad,” she began.
“Some things are best left in the past, pumpkin.”
That coming from a man who had built an entire business around uncovering other people’s secrets?
Her father had no sooner walked away than Riley sank into the chair he’d abandoned.
“You are looking way too serious over here. Dad must have been telling you about the couple who washed up on the beach in a life raft.”
“What?”
“Yeah, he and mom were lounging on the beach at the time. Apparently the couple’s boat was taken by modern-day pirates. The guy was shot in the leg before
they were set adrift. Dad stayed with them until the police arrived, and he overheard the cops saying there have been half a dozen other incidents in the last month, probably executed by the same crew.”
“He didn’t mention that.”
Riley shrugged. “So what was the topic of conversation that had your heads bent so close together?”
“Do you know anything about a car accident involving the Lancasters?”
“Accident?” Riley sounded like she didn’t have a clue what Darby was talking about, but the frown lines between her eyes told a different story. They were more pronounced, just like they were whenever she tried looking like a question hadn’t caught her off guard.
“Are you really going to play dumb?”
Her sister grinned. “Are you going to tell me what happened between you and Bryce last night that has Dante’s boxers in a bunch?”
Damn it, Dante. Of course he would have blabbed to Riley about it.
“Nothing happened.”
Riley crossed her arms and Darby knew there would be no information on the car accident forthcoming without offering up something in exchange.
“Fine. I tried to get into his pants, okay?”
Riley blinked, then burst out laughing, drawing at least half the room’s attention. Riley didn’t do small or understated, and her laugh was no exception. Their Aunt Libby was probably the only one in the room who could come close to turning heads with a laugh the way Riley could.
“Sure,” she drawled. “I would have believed you if you told me he tried to cop a feel before you knocked him on his ass. But you as the instigator…” Riley broke off again, laughing. “It looks like Bree is getting ready to throw her bouquet.”
Her sister stood up before Darby could insist she was telling the truth. Maybe it was better if Riley thought it was a lie, but it didn’t get her any more information on the accident or what was really behind Thomas Lancaster’s grudge against their family.
She wasn’t about to approach Dante about it and Finn was preoccupied. That left only one person who might know and after their fight this morning, she wasn’t sure talking to Bryce about anything but the wedding was a good idea.
One shared look—one melt-her-feet-to-the-sand look—wasn’t exactly an olive branch.
Not until she noticed Alex winking at her from across the room did Darby realize she’d unconsciously scanned the room for Bryce. He stood at the bar with Alex, talking to two women. She recognized the redhead from last night, but it was a petite blonde who reached out to curl her hand around Bryce’s forearm.
Darby returned her attention to the glass of water in front of her.
Maybe her father was right and she should leave it alone. What good would it do to figure out why Bryce’s father hated her family even more than the magic-abusing Hastings? It wouldn’t change Thomas Lancaster’s stance on magic or the beliefs he’d passed on to his son.
And none of that really mattered anyway.
Riley waved at her. “You coming?”
Darby pushed her chair back and stood. “You actually want to try and catch the bouquet?”
“Pfft. Try? I’m going to catch it.”
She should have known Riley’s competitive streak wouldn’t let her pass up the opportunity to win something. “Just try not to trip or elbow anybody this time, okay?” Like she had at their cousin’s wedding.
Riley rolled her eyes. “I’ve matured since then.”
“It was last summer.” She trailed her sister through the maze of tables and chairs until they reached the dance floor where another dozen or so women had gathered behind Bree.
“Where are you going?”
Darby grinned. “I’m not stupid enough to stand anywhere near you. I’ll be blending into the edge of the crowd at the back.”
She picked a spot that looked safely out of Bree’s throwing range and found herself next to Angel. Bree’s younger sister smiled in greeting, and then someone hooted and the group of women seemed to swarm to the right.
Angel abruptly stepped back and yelled, “Catch.”
“What?” She raised her hands defensively, not realizing that Angel was talking about the bouquet until the flowers grazed her palms. Her fingers instinctively closed around the stems.
“Nice one,” Angel murmured, looking relieved she hadn’t been the one to catch it. “My mother would want me to start thinking about wedding plans if I had caught that.”
“I didn’t know you were dating anyone seriously.”
“I’m not, but my mother takes this kind of thing as an omen.” Angel shuddered. “Now you just have to hope that my cousin Reggie doesn’t catch the garter.”
Ugh. Why hadn’t she just waited at the table?
Riley walked up to them, and Darby thrust the bouquet at her sister. “Here.”
“Uh-uh. You won it fair and square. Now I need to go grab my phone. Watching you squirm at the thought of who might be sliding Bree’s garter up your leg shortly is definitely a Kodak moment.”
“Bitch,” Darby muttered.
Riley’s grin widened, then she craned her neck as they made room for the single guys. “I wonder if Reggie plans on participating.”
“Now that’s just mean.”
But Riley had already retreated, probably in search of her phone.
The second Darby spotted the pervert in question join the pack behind Finn, she headed for the back door. If she stayed and watched she’d no doubt end up jinxing herself and get stuck with Reggie after all.
The back deck was almost deserted when she stepped outside. To her right, she spotted Bryce and his father. They spoke too low for her to overhear, but judging by the expressions on their faces, it wasn’t a pleasant conversation.
She thought about escaping around the corner, then found herself turning toward them.
“Bryce? I think Finn might be looking for you. He’s ready to throw Bree’s garter.”
Without another word to his father, Bryce headed for the ballroom. He paused, nodding in what might have been gratitude, then started forward again only to stop.
“About earlier—”
“Bryce! Get your ass in here. If I have to do this, so do you.” Alex winked at her from the doorway, then motioned for Bryce to join him.
“Better get going.”
He hesitated for another moment. “Right.” And then he was gone.
Leaving her alone with Thomas Lancaster.
She walked in the opposite direction, toward the railing, doing her best to ignore the disapproving gaze that followed her. Instead of joining everyone else inside, however, he stalked toward her.
“Are you the reason my son has turned his life upside down again?”
Stunned by both the narrowed eyes that pinned her in place and the emphasized again, she actually retreated a step before squaring her shoulders. The one and only conversation they ever shared, she had let him intimidate her, and whatever his problem was this time, she wouldn’t be bullied a second time.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“My son almost threw his life away for you once, and now that he’s done it again, you expect me to believe you’re not involved? I’ve seen you two talking. I know something is going on.”
Taken aback by the unmasked hatred on his face, she forced herself to remain unruffled. “Bryce and I are just trying to get along for Finn and Bree’s sake. Not that it’s any of your business.”
His scowl deepened. “The same way it wasn’t any of my business when you showed up supposedly pregnant ten years ago, wanting to drag my son down with you?”
“Supposedly pregnant?” Her words slipped out in a shocked whisper.
“Since you came to your senses before Bryce found out, I can only assume you’ve either found a better way to manipulate him this time or you’re only interested in seeing my family ruined. It wouldn’t be the first time a Calder has gone to such lengths.”
Her head spun from trying to keep up with him. Manipulate
Bryce? Ruin their family? She could barely comprehend the sheer hostility behind his accusations when her brain caught up on one part.
“Wait. What do you mean before Bryce found out?” Oh god. “You never told him I came to see you. You never told him about the baby, did you?”
It had never crossed her mind that his father wouldn’t tell him. She’d just assumed that she’d been right about him in the first place and that he didn’t want to have anything to do with her or their baby.
“What business of it was mine? It all worked out for the best. Neither of you needed to worry about raising a child. You made the right decision.”
“The right decision?”
He shrugged, but there was nothing indifferent about the gesture. “To either realize the lie wasn’t worth it or to take care of matters.”
So all these years Thomas Lancaster believed she’d either fabricated the whole thing or had an abortion? Her stomach churned as it all started to sink in.
Bryce never knew she was pregnant.
But afterward…he must have known about the miscarriage? She’d seen Dante the morning after she lost the baby, seen his ripped and bloodied knuckles. He only had to look at her when she’d asked who he’d been fighting, and she knew it had been Bryce.
Years later, when Bryce had gone to work at the DA’s office, there had been no reason to rehash any of it, but what if he never said a word because he hadn’t known any of it? What if Dante had picked a fight without explaining anything to Bryce, just assuming, like she had, that he knew about the pregnancy all along?
She wanted to think Dante wouldn’t have gone off half-cocked, but that was exactly something he would do. How many times had Dante always insisted that actions spoke louder than words?
Her heart hammered at her ribs, echoed in her ears. She clenched the bouquet until her fingers bit into her palms.
“Bryce never knew? Not even about the miscarriage?” She had to be sure that she wasn’t misunderstanding anything his father was saying.
For a moment Thomas Lancaster looked a little taken aback, then his eyes narrowed, and she knew.
Oh god, she knew.
“If you even think about pulling another stunt like that,” his father growled, but she didn’t hear whatever came after that.
Must Be Magic (Spellbound Book 4) Page 7