Crazy Beautiful: a Redemption novel

by Prince, Jessica

  Jase slowly turned, crowding me at the same time and throwing a protective arm over my shoulders as he addressed the man. “Titus.”

  Ah, the asshole cousin. I should have known.

  He wrapped his arm around the skinny blonde standing beside him, his hold possessive as his features morphed and a look of triumph stretched across his face, as if he thought he’d somehow one-upped his better-looking cousin. “You remember Patricia, don’t you? My date?”

  “Jase. Good to see you again.” the woman said coyly, her tongue peeking out and wetting her bottom lip as she looked at him with unconcealed yearning.

  My senses went on red alert at her presence, and I knew I wasn’t going to like how he knew this woman.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Jase said, his tone caustic and hard.

  “What’s the big deal?” Titus asked with fake confusion. “You were done with her weren’t you? After all, you’re a married man now.”

  Yep. I was right. I didn’t like that at all. I knew Jase hadn’t been a choir boy before he made his proposition, but knowing it and having it thrown in your face were two very different things.

  “Speaking of which. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lovely bride?”

  I really didn’t want him to. Honestly, I didn’t want to be anywhere near this slimy guy and Jase’s ex . . . whatever. But real or not, I was here to put on a show, so I’d put on the best damn show these people had ever seen.

  “Hi, I’m Poppy,” I said, reaching out to shake the man’s hand even through the thought of him touching me made me shiver with revulsion. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Titus let out a loud bark of laughter. “Would you listen to that accent! You really did go to the south and get yourself a good old country girl, didn’t you, cousin? People have been talking, but I didn’t believe them until now. At least she’s hot, right?”

  So he was going there, was he? As far as I was concerned, he’d thrown down the gauntlet, so I was firmly within my right to react in kind. Keeping the grin pinned to my face, I turned back to Jase and lowered my voice, placing my hand on his chest as I spoke. “Honey, I know he’s family and all, but please tell me we aren’t going to be stuck talking to this man for the rest of the evening. Pity and obligation only go so far.”

  Jase’s eyes went comically wide as he choked on a laugh while his cousin sputtered in affront. “Excuse me?”

  I looked back at him, with big doe eyes, and when I spoke again, I made sure to add an embellished southern drawl. “Hey, don’t look at me.” I held my hands up in surrender. “You’re the one who drew first blood. You made a mistake by not stopping to size up your opponent, because, honey, my claws are much sharper.”

  The arm around me convulsed, and when I twisted my neck and looked up, Jase’s head was lowered and he was fighting a losing battle against his laughter.

  “Class piece you got here, man,” Titus said, his top lip curled up in disgust. “You hit up the bridal section of Country Bumpkins R Us?”

  I tsked and shook my head. “Now you’re not even trying. Why don’t you go take a breather, maybe search the internet for better material, then get back to me.” I lifted my glass to my lips and flicked my other wrist at him. “Don’t worry. I’ll wait.”

  By the time I finished, his face was beet red, and he looked about two seconds away from an aneurism before finally whipping around and storming off, dragging the blonde behind him.

  I watched as they got swallowed up by the crowd and deadpanned, “Well that was fun,” before sipping my drink.

  Jase’s body came into my line of vision, his fingers pressing beneath my chin to tip my face back to his. “First round goes to you, wildcat.”

  I shrugged my shoulder casually. “Wasn’t much of a fight. I don’t even feel warmed up.”

  “Fuck me,” he growled, leaning down to brush his lips against mine. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted you more.”

  With a sexy smirk, I leaned in and gave him a quick peck. “Delayed gratification is highly underrated, honey.”

  With that, I drained my glass and looked back at the bartender, waving him over for a refill.

  This was going to be a long night.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Poppy

  After my showdown with Titus, Jase wasn’t taking any more chances. With a firm hand on my hip, he guided me away from the bar, and we were, once again, forced to mingle. I was nursing my second bourbon. That warm, fuzzy feeling had started, radiating from my belly and spidering out to my limbs like a rock chip in a car windshield. I’d loosened up and was able to stomach the ass kissing and fake congratulations much easier, but I was still far from drunk.

  It wasn’t until I spotted an older couple making their way toward us with single-minded determination that the warmth in my veins turned to ice.

  The man was the spitting image of how I imagined Jase would look in thirty years. Tall, imposing, handsome. I knew instantly and instinctively that this was none other than Geoffrey Hyland. The woman at his side—Jase’s mother, I guessed, based on her similarities to Farah—was decked in jewels, not a strand of hair out of place on her perfectly coiffed head.

  They reeked of money and ego, and in spite of their good looks, the two of them were as ugly on the outside as I knew them to be on the inside. All because of the bitterness and contempt painted on their faces.

  “Fucking shit,” Jase grunted under his breath as soon as he spotted them. “Not too late to make a run for it, Flower.”

  Reaching back, I pulled his hand from around me and slipped my palm into his, lacing our fingers together. I gave his hand a firm squeeze as I looked up, hoping he could see in my gaze how much I cared about him. He wasn’t alone. We were in this together, and I did my best to silently communicate that I had his back no matter what.

  “You’re my favorite person ever, Jase Hyland,” I whispered as his parents closed in. “Never forget that.”

  His eyes flared, and I could have sworn he was a second away from devouring my mouth in front of the entire room. Unfortunately, we were interrupted before that could happen.

  * * *

  Jase

  “Ah, if it isn’t the happy couple. I hear congratulations are in order.”

  My father went about making a show of clapping me on the back and laughing heartily for everyone around to see before turning his attention on Poppy. My stomach began to churn the second his beady little eyes scanned over her. “And look at you.” He took her free hand in his, bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. It took everything in me not plow my fist into the bastard’s face and make a scene in front of all these people. He didn’t bother to hide his leering as his attention shifted to her cleavage. “You must be the lovely Poppy Weston I’ve heard so much about. Such a beautiful woman.”

  My entire body, every muscle and bone and tendon locked up at hearing him speak her name. Tonight was the first time I’d mentioned her to anyone involved with Hyland Steel, and even then, I’d introduced her as Poppy Hyland, not Weston. How he’d gotten her maiden name, I didn’t know, but something ugly began to slither up my neck.

  “Get your hand off her,” I growled so viciously Poppy’s head whipped around. My jaw was granite, the muscle ticking rapidly as I clenched my teeth together painfully. “You don’t touch her. Ever. Do you understand me?”

  He released her hand, but not before shifting his slimy grin to me. “I see you’re surprised,” he goaded. “You shouldn’t be. You aren’t the only one who can do a little digging, boy. Best you don’t forget that.”

  A chill raked over my body. Poppy’s fingers gave mine a squeeze, and when I looked down, she was staring up at me, her ocean eyes questioning. I returned the squeeze, doing my best to silently communicate that I was all right, even though it was far from the truth.

  “What you’re capable of stopped surprising me a long time ago. Evil like yours knows no bounds. Didn’t you have that added to your contra
ct when you signed your souls over to Satan?”

  “You’ll do well to remember who you’re speaking to,” my mother said, disdain dripping from every one of her words. “You should show your father some respect.”

  Before I could tell her just how ridiculous that statement was, Poppy let out a laugh so loud and hysterical, we began drawing the attention of those around us.

  “Sorry, sorry,” she giggled, trying to get a hold on her hilarity. “I’m so sorry. That was just . . . I can’t believe she managed to say that with a straight face.”

  The atmosphere around us went electric, crackling with my mother’s hate as she narrowed her eyes into vicious slits. “You’ll do well to remember your place, darling,” she hissed, the words slithering through the air, poised to strike at any moment.

  “I’m well aware of my place,” Poppy shot back, her voice low to keep others from hearing as she took a step closer. I gave her hand a jerk, trying to pull her back, but she held firm, rooted in place. “It’s right here, between you and your son. I’m well aware of the kind of people you are, and if you think I’ll allow either of you to hurt him in any way, you’re sadly mistaken. Those days are over.”

  “Careful, dear. You know the old saying, people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. After all, it would seem you don’t have much of a leg to stand on, considering you married my son to pull that seedy little inn out of the red.”

  I saw Poppy’s back go straight. She hadn’t been expecting that. Honestly, I hadn’t either, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. These people would do anything to keep a grasp on what little they had left, and when it came to getting back on top, they’d step on anyone in their way.

  “Seems I’m not the one unaware of my place,” Poppy bit out. “One would think, considering your own husband’s penchant for hookers and kink, that you’d spend your time concentrating on your own marriage instead of worrying about mine.”

  My mother sized Poppy up before curling her lip disdainfully. “Don’t think for a moment that just because you were able to outwit our brainless fool of a nephew that we’re evenly matched, darling.”

  Before Poppy could issue a rebuttal, my father spoke. “She’s got fire in her, boy. I’ll give you that. It sure would be a shame to see that snuffed out.”

  A chill skated across my spine, and this time, when I jerked her hand, Poppy moved, stepping back into me so I could wrap a protective arm around her chest. Her body trembled slightly as she leaned deeper into me. She was trying her hardest not to let it show, but it was written all over her face. She’d only gotten the smallest taste of what the people who’d created me were capable of, but it had been enough to shake her to her core.

  “Walk away,” I snarled. “Unless you want a scene that you’ll never be able to crawl out from under, walk the fuck away, and don’t look back.”

  “Careful, boy. What would the board say if they heard you talking like that?”

  “Fuck the board,” I snapped. “And fuck the company. You made a mistake thinking I’d value either of those above my own wife. That’s the only mistake you’ll get, so turn around, and walk . . . the fuck . . . away. I won’t say it again.”

  My father took one step forward, speaking under his breath as he got close. “Enjoy your time on top, son. Your days are numbered, and the fall will be brutal.”

  With that, he pasted that shit-eating grin back onto his face, patted my shoulder, and walked away, pulling my mother behind him.

  “Those are the wickedest, most vile people I’ve ever met in my whole life,” Poppy whispered once we were alone again.

  Spinning her around, I took her face in my hands and leaned in. “Are you okay?”

  Her teeth came out and sank into her bottom lip as she gave that some thought. “I . . . well, that kind of depends. Did your father really just threaten me?”

  My fingers pressed deeper into her skin. “I’d never ever let him do anything to you. I swear. Nothing will ever happen to you, Flower, you have my word on that.” I could have sworn I saw uncertainty in her eyes, and it fucking ripped me apart inside. “Do you believe me?”

  She nodded, but that wasn’t good enough.

  “I need to hear the words, baby. Say you believe me.” Please believe me. Please trust me to take care of you and protect you.

  “I believe you,” she said softly, and the relief that washed through me was damn near overwhelming.

  “Come on, let’s go to our table and try to enjoy the rest of the night. Remember, it’s just the two of us. Nothing else matters.”

  She gave me a shaky smile and nodded her head. “Just let me run to the ladies room. I’ll meet you there.” I kept her hand in mine, hesitant to let go. Sensing my trepidation, a tiny laugh bubbled up her throat. “I’ll be fine. It’ll just take a second.”

  She lifted up on her toes and pressed a kiss to my lips before extracting her fingers from my grip, and I stood immobile, watching as she walked away, sending up a silent prayer that nothing else happened.

  * * *

  Poppy

  The ladies’ room was blessedly empty when I pushed inside, heading straight for the sinks. Turning on one of the taps, I held my wrists beneath the cold spray until my nerves began to untangle and I felt calm enough to return to the ballroom.

  I’d heard enough horror stories to know how truly despicable the Hyland parents were, but those were nothing compared to seeing it in person. Just one short exchange of words and I felt as though my skin was covered in a fine layer of frost. That was how cold they were.

  Turning off the water, I dried my hands and was just about to exit when the door swung in. I had to take a step back to avoid being hit as the blonde from earlier came sauntering in.

  She paused at the sight of me, feigning a surprised, “Oh, hello,” but I caught the calculation in her expression before she wiped it away.

  I gave her a plastic grin, stepping aside so she could pass and I could make my escape.

  However, the woman had other plans. “You’re very brave,” she announced, throwing me off kilter. Usually I was on my game with people like this, but after facing off with so many and in such a short span of time, I felt off-kilter.

  Looking back, I cocked my head to the side and asked, “Excuse me?”

  She moved to the mirror, and continued, “I said I think you’re very brave.” Reaching into her clutch, she pulled out a tube of blood red lipstick and leaned in to apply another coat to her lips.

  “And how’s that?”

  She smacked her lips, dragging a finger beneath her bottom one, eyes to her reflection the whole time as she answered, “Not many women would be willing to tie themselves to a man who can’t keep it in his pants. I mean, he’s brilliant in bed, I’ll give you that, enough to make a woman keep coming back for more. But he’s always been a player. He and I had barely ended when you came into the picture.” Her eyes cut to me through the glass. “I commend you on thinking you’re important enough to make him change his ways . . . Or maybe it’s that you don’t mind him sleeping around.”

  There was no way in hell I’d ever let this woman see that what she was saying had made a dent in my armor. I might have been feeling it just then, but she would never know. “You know, bitter isn’t a good color on any woman, no matter how beautiful she might be.” I turned to face her fully, propping my hands on my hips. “Let me give you a piece of advice. It’s what landed Jase and keeps him in my bed every . . . single . . . night. Men don’t like bitter, they prefer sweet. You might want to try switching things up.”

  The door to the bathroom opened just then. “Ah, there you are.” My shoulders drooped in relief at Wynn’s welcomed arrival. She glanced between me and the blonde, one sculpted brow arching. “Jase sent me in to find you. Move your behind, woman. You know that man can’t stand being away from you for too long.”

  “Let’s go.” I turned my back on the bitchy, scrunch-faced woman and hooked my arm through Wynn’s, leading us to the door. “I�
��m done in here anyway.”

  It wasn’t until the door closed behind us and we started down the hall that I was able to take a full breath.

  Hearing the raspy inhale, Wynn’s arm got tight, pulling my focus to her. “Don’t let these assholes get to you, honey. They aren’t worth it. Jase is nothing like them.”

  I grinned even though I wasn’t feeling it, and lied, “Don’t worry about me. I’m just fine.” The truth was, she was right. The Jase I knew was nothing like these people. But this was his world, and it had become glaringly obvious I didn’t fit in it. What was more, I didn’t want to fit in it. Not if it meant being like these people.

  Sadness filled my chest at that realization, because it could only mean one thing. If I didn’t fit into his world, there was no hope of what we had ever becoming real.

  I’d made a mistake. I’d allowed the lines to be blurred and had fallen in love with my fake husband. If tonight had taught me anything, it was there was no way I was coming out of this with my heart intact.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Jase

  Something had happened during those few minutes Poppy had been out of my sight to go to the restroom. She’d come back different, closed off and quiet.

  She assured me she was okay every time I asked, but I knew she was lying. She’d barely said a word all through dinner, and I hadn’t missed the way she eyed Tricia as she came out of the bathroom shortly after. I knew that woman had a hand in whatever had caused the shift in Poppy, I just didn’t know how. And it was driving me out of my mind.

  She’d reverted back to playing a role, smiling and being the dutiful wife when it was necessary. She let me touch her, but she’d stopped leaning into it every time I did. That golden light had gone dim, and I wanted it back.