He didn’t mind the heat, which was actually good for his vocal cords. The press took endless pictures as they waited in place behind Jennifer and Linsey. “I’m ready to be there for you.”
Emily let out a long breath as she stood next to him and whispered, “I don’t need the limelight and Jennifer has been nothing but nice to me today. Let Jennifer and Linsey have their turn as spokesperson for women’s self-esteem as their agents recommended. Besides, it’s Jennifer’s wedding day.”
First, Linsey spoke to the cameras. “Women need to stop judging and labeling each other. I’m not the skinny, pretty sister and Emily is not the fat, practical sister.”
Emily swayed a little at that, and Axel put his arm reassuringly at her lower back. Her sister continued to talk to reporters but he asked in her ear, “Is something wrong, Emily?”
She pressed her lips together in annoyance. “I don’t think I’m fat.”
“You’re not.” He held her, loving each curve. “And you’re the prettier sister by far.”
She hadn’t seemed weak to him—if anything, her confidence and strength of character made her special.
She smiled at him and it was like a rainbow appeared in the horizon beyond. “Axel, keep talking like that and you’ll continue to be my favorite artist and lover, ever.”
Cameras panned to them but he didn’t care.
He claimed her lips in a kiss.
The fireworks inside his soul wanted to keep Emily close, for as long as he could. As the kiss ended, he forgot everything else but the warm embers of her brown eyes. “I’d prefer to just be your lover, Emily Wilson.”
Her face blushed beneath all that makeup she wore. She swallowed and squeezed his hand. “After the wedding?”
Jennifer next took her place in front of the cameras.
Good. He wanted more privacy with Emily. He whispered, “Oh, I already intended to seduce you.”
Emily elbowed him. “Drat.” She then laughed as she said, “I spoiled that by being too eager then.”
Jennifer gazed at them, clearly sending the message without words that they needed to stop being silly. He nodded and stood straighter as he quickly said, “We’ll pretend you didn’t say a word.”
The reporter put a microphone in front of Jennifer’s face. “So Jennifer, what’s this statement you want to make?”
Jennifer faced the camera like this was the most serious issue she’d ever tackled and even crossed her arms like she dared someone to argue with her as she said, “Body shaming normal people is wrong, and Emily is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She’s become like a sister to me and I’m so happy she’s here. She’s been a breath of fresh air in my life.”
“Jennifer’s so sweet,” Emily said loud enough to be heard.
Axel’s ears buzzed. He refused to say a word until the press conference was over and he could figure out what was going on.
Luckily Jennifer had a wedding to return to, so they only stood another minute in absolute silence.
Jennifer acted like a general and gestured them all inside. Once they crossed the threshold back in the house, Jennifer and Linsey headed right back into the room where they were getting dressed. He held Emily’s arm so she didn’t run off right away and instead whispered once he was sure Jennifer was gone, “Don’t trust her, Emily.”
She gazed up at him like she was an angel sent down from heaven itself as she said, “Honestly, you need to trust in the goodness of others, Axel.”
Emily truly was the sweet one. “I trust you,” he said.
“Oh.”
Now why had that comment made her blush? She let him go but he squeezed her fingers before she left him entirely and pointed her toward the back door where servants came in. “There is your coworker again.”
Emily patted his arm and stepped toward the muscular fellow as she said, “I’ll be right back, Axel.”
Something was up. He slowly followed her and clearly heard the man tell Emily, “Anthony told Peter he might be the father of her child.”
Blood rushed faster in his veins. They were talking about his family. And he’d brought Emily closer into the family fold. Had that been a mistake?
Emily pressed her hand on her heart and asked, “What? How?”
Axel took another step closer and heard Diesel, that was his name, say, “Belle called Peter. They spent the past twenty minutes talking and that came out.”
And how would this security guard know anything about Belle? Were they reporters writing something about his family?
Emily, pale, shook her head. “Jennifer’s going to think I said something.”
Okay. Emily clearly had something else going on. Cold rushed through his body. He made no secret of having overheard them. “Why would Jennifer think that and why are you talking about my family with your coworker?”
Emily pointed the security guard toward the door as she said, “Diesel. Please go.”
The man left and Emily faced him as he asked, “Well?”
Emily reached up like she wanted to play with a necklace but then realized she didn’t have one on. “Axel, I can explain.”
Axel glanced outside and saw Peter and Anthony still talking. About Jennifer? Was her baby Anthony’s? “It seems the wedding is on hold for a few minutes.”
Emily scrunched her nose. “Right.”
Axel guided her closer to the veranda in case he needed to go outside and help Peter. “So, why would Jennifer think you had something to do with telling Peter about her baby?”
“Because I did.” She didn’t look at him.
His blood grew colder. He’d invited her into his family when she’d been out to get them. Was Emily actually a reporter? He hadn’t run a background check on her or anything. “What? Why would you have done that?”
She looked up and met his gaze. “Belle Morgan is my firm’s client.”
Oh. He believed her, though his family had tried to find Belle for months. He should bring her right over to Peter. “You know where she is?”
“I assume close.” She swiped a falling curl out of her face as a tropical breeze rattled the glass door they stood near. “I met her in my office the day I went to your concert.”
Peter and his family had searched for her. If she was close, then Peter had a chance to be happy. Axel would have a shot at making everything right, but he hated being used. He kept his voice steady. “Was she the reason you were backstage?”
She winced. “Probably.”
He’d been part of her scheme and despite his honesty on how he'd chosen Peter's side, she hadn’t shared why she was here. He pointed toward the hall with all the women. “And she sent you to spy on Jennifer?”
“I was hired.” Emily swayed on her feet like she might faint. “Belle is our client. I was to be nice to Jennifer and get her to talk.”
He’d been the biggest sucker in this. His brothers outside separated. He had to find out what his family needed from him, but for now he studied Emily. How was it possible that he wanted to kiss the sadness off her face? He stilled that impulse. “How did I fit into this?”
She glanced up at him and lowered one arm but still held the other as she swayed back and forth. “My boss, my sister, basically everyone, knows I am a fan of yours, and and they knew my sister was going to this the wedding. Diesel paid my sister to recommend me as a replacement for this wedding because something happened to Jennifer's last choice. I was strategically placed when an opportunity arose.”
And she’d lied to him, over and over again. “So you’ve been here the entire time lying to me.”
Emily shook her head as she lowered her gaze to his chin, rather than his eyes. “I hope you don’t see it that way, Axel.”
Peter motioned for John and Rafe on the veranda.
In a few minutes, he’d be called over, too. The House of Morgan worked together. He stepped away from Emily to create some distance as he said, “What way?”
She stepped forward and kept the space close. “You t
old me you didn’t even like Jennifer.”
This wasn’t about Jennifer. Emily hadn’t trusted him and she'd played god in his family life. He looked at his brothers in conference outside as he said, “I don’t not like her. I just thought my brother was happier with his wife who seemed to be his partner.”
Emily pressed her hand to her heart and spoke in a steady voice. “Belle is paying our firm to find evidence against Jennifer and stop the wedding. I need to work for a living and take care of myself, Axel.”
Was that the answer he sought from her? How much of the soul can be bought? He never had that struggle, but it bothered him. “So you decided that you can’t trust in me, even though you were sharing my bed and I invited you into my life.”
Tears formed in her eyes. “If you don’t want to see me anymore, I get it. But please don’t out me to Jennifer. I was actually starting to like her and now I feel so guilty.”
Not see her again? Wait.
His life didn’t revolve entirely around his family. He reached out and wiped her tears. “What?”
Droplets spilled down her cheeks as she said, “I was hoping for more with you. And I’m sorry for what happened with us, but Jennifer and Linsey have been good to me. I don’t want to run out on the wedding in case it happens anyhow.”
Emily not running away took guts. He closed the space between them. “You’re staying?”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “Yeah, so please keep my actions to yourself. I never wanted to hurt anyone, ever.”
Most people he knew would have bolted out the door if caught in a bad situation. Emily’s courage touched his heart as he brushed her hair behind her ear. “Emily?”
She looked up at him with glassy eyes. “Yeah?”
The urge to keep Emily hit him. Her lips were kissable and he wanted to kiss away her tears as he said, “I was mad. I still want to see you after this wedding, or no wedding.”
Her expression brightened. “Really?”
"Yes." He smiled and stroked her cheek. “Now kiss me and get back inside.”
“Axel, you’re great.” She kissed him.
The world dissipated into nothingness where they were the only two people.
Nothing else mattered.
There was no way she’d kiss him like this and make him feel if there wasn’t something more between them.
It was possible he might be in love with her. As the kiss ended, his phone beeped.
She just stared at him, and without looking at his phone, he held her hands. “I need to talk to Peter and my brothers, but I will protect you, Emily.”
Her eyes filled with pools of water. “Why?”
If he took her away, then maybe his anger at how she'd interfered with his family would fade with time. He’d find out how he felt, and how she truly felt. Axel kissed her knuckles. “The job offer is still on the table. We’ll talk more when we’re alone.”
“Okay.” She slowly pulled out of his grip.
As she went down the hall toward the women’s dressing room, he checked his phone. A family meeting. Soon he’d be with Emily again and somehow their two worlds needed to merge. Axel would protect her, and if this feeling was love, he’d never let her go.
Emily returned to the bridal suite/formal dining room and her chair, then grabbed some tissues from the counter and wiped her face.
Jennifer ambled over as Emily blotted the running black eyeliner she’d been wearing. Jennifer massaged her arm. “Emily, were you crying?”
This wasn’t good. She’d been paid to pretend. Emily swallowed and shook her head, wishing Jennifer wasn’t nice and that she’d just go away. She sniffled and tried to smile her way out of the situation. “Axel and I had a moment. I hope the makeup artists can fix the mascara.”
Jennifer took the tissue from her and motioned for the makeup artists. “Sweetheart, these people can work a miracle. Sit and let’s get you fixed up. Your dress is ready once we finish here, and after that, you can join the other bridesmaids at the pre-party outside.”
The hairdresser started to rearrange her updo to match the other women and the makeup lady sprayed something on her face that made her blink. Emily took a deep breath and then nodded. “Okay, sorry I’m late. Your hair looks amazing.”
Jennifer rubbed her belly and was the sweet, kind, mother-to-be who radiated happiness. “Thanks. My little one is kicking a lot today.”
There was absolutely nothing left for Emily to do but help Jennifer on her big day. She’d almost ruined everything but hopefully none of what she heard or said mattered. She prayed that there had already been a DNA test done and the results were conclusive.
With the money the Morgans had, it was possible. She saluted Jennifer and said, “I’ll be ready.”
Maybe she hadn’t betrayed Axel and his family. She hoped not. The money wasn’t worth feeling bad about herself.
Part of her wished she’d never accepted and never texted Diesel.
Before she knew it, the makeup person snapped her fingers and drew Emily's attention to the window and the ladies outside. Her sister laughed with the other bridesmaids as they all clinked glasses like they were agreeing to something at the open bar.
Emily swallowed and took a quick glance in the mirror.
The woman that stared back at her wasn’t her at all.
Emily had disappeared and in her place was someone else--someone glamorous, someone fake. She turned away but pursed her lips.
It was better to avoid whoever she was in the mirror. She thanked the makeup people and left, closing the door behind her.
Perhaps Axel would make her remember who she was. Or at least hold her hand.
She went down the hall and stopped near an office that had the door slightly open. She peeked in. Jennifer strutted inside the room and said, "Anthony!" Emily ducked back into the hall, unable to move from her position without possibly being seen.
“Jennifer, I had to see you.” Though Emily couldn’t see, it sounded like Anthony tried to kiss Jennifer.
And that Jennifer kissed him back. The heavy breathing made their coming together seem desperate.
Her knees were locked in place and if she made a noise, Jennifer might know she'd overheard them. Emily didn’t move.
She heard Jennifer push Anthony away and say, “You should go and be with your family. We’re getting ready for my wedding to your brother now.”
Emily glanced around the hall--could she dart across? She cautiously put one foot down, and the high heel clicked against the marble tile.
Her entire body went on alert and she braced her hands against the wall.
Had Jennifer heard?
* * *
Anthony said, “Peter knows about us.”
Jennifer knocked something over and said, “What us? I choose Peter.”
"I told him," Anthony argued,“that the baby might be mine.”
Emily shook her head--she could't listen to this confession. She tiptoed by the open door but Jennifer caught her wrist and tugged her into the room. “That’s impossible. Why did you lie to him like that?”
Emily couldn’t breathe. Anthony said, “It’s not entirely a lie.”
Jennifer let go of her and clutched her heart as she stared at Anthony. “You said you loved me. Why are you trying to ruin my life?”
Anthony didn’t care that Emily was there as he reached for Jennifer. “Jennifer, I’m trying to save your life.”
Jennifer backed off, like his touch burned as she said, “How? By ruining everything I ever wanted? I’ve been in love with Peter since middle school. This is wrong.”
From inside the office, Emily eyed the still open door, longing to be anywhere but here.
Anthony tried to take Jennifer’s hand and this time she didn’t move as he said, “So is marrying the wrong man, Jennifer.”
The actress lowered her head and her eyes were glassy, but then she pulled her hand back and slowly said, “Peter’s the right guy. He’s always been the right one for me.�
��
Anthony mumbled something beneath his breath and then left, never looking at Emily.
Emily wasn’t sure what to do. Her skin tingled. But as his footsteps grew more distant, she asked, “Do you need anything, Jennifer?”
Jennifer pivoted and turned toward the hallway like she wanted Anthony back. “Wait here. Don’t let anyone go into the bridal suite to see my dress. I’ll be right back.”
Here?
Jennifer left and Emily closed the door, glancing around the masculine office with dark wood and leather furniture.
She saw Belle’s picture on top of the desk, framed. There was no picture of Jennifer anywhere.
Jennifer popped her head back into the office and waved for her to join her in the hall. “Emily, come with me.”
Her heart hammered so fast she might jump up and just admit she was here to spy so her face wouldn’t get so hot. However for now Emily pressed her hand to her chest. “Me?”
Jennifer nodded and expected her to follow. “Yes, you’re my closest ally in the Morgan family right now.”
Oh no. Her spine was rigid as she stood next to Jennifer. Jennifer tried to link arms, but Emily couldn’t. She’d betrayed her, so she shook her head fast and said, “I don’t think you should bring me.”
“Don’t argue. Let’s go.” Jennifer entwined their arms like they were best friends.
This wasn’t good. She was a liar. Her heart sped up, faster and faster, with every step. Her lips were dry but she managed to squeak, “Oh, okay.”
They headed out onto the veranda that overlooked the Intracoastal and Atlantic Ocean and Emily’s gaze immediately met the sexy blue eyes of the only man she’d ever truly wanted. She took her arm back from Jennifer and joined him. “Axel.”
“Emily?” He massaged her back while palm trees gently swayed in the wind.
Nothing about this day was calm, so the scene just made the pit in her stomach grow worse as she said, “Jennifer’s here to talk to Peter.”
“Take my hand.” He offered his.
Secret Bridesmaid Page 10
