Page 35 of Bound Bride
I nod and glance down at several scattered books and notes across the picnic table. "I did, did you not get it? I thought I sent it, I'm sorry."
"No apology needed," Kon replies. "I did receive it but I saw your brother and your father are not on the list."
My heart tightens ever so slightly in my chest as I glance up at him. "Is that… a problem?"
"Do you not want to invite your family?" he asks and his voice remains soft. "Indeed, we have an agenda at this party, but it is still a party nonetheless."
"Oh." Oddly, inviting them never crossed my mind. Only Mathew would come, and it's hard enough pretending he's my brother without playing hostess with him breathing down my neck. "I didn't think I could."
"You never have to ask," Kon says and his hand rests warmly on my shoulder. "You should invite them." As he speaks, he leans down and presses a tender kiss to my forehead. "I did not get to speak to your father at the wedding, so it would be nice to meet him properly. You should invite all of your family, even the ones who did not attend."
A glimmer of hope rushes through me so fast that goosebumps spring down my bare arms. I catch Kon's wrist as his hand leaves my shoulder, and squeeze.
"Thank you."
"Of course." His lips twitch into a brief, short smile, then his attention is stolen by his phone. "I have to leave, but I will be back before dinner. Calvin, take care of her."
“Yes, boss," Calvin replies, and we both watch Kon head back inside where he's greeted by Ethan and they both melt into the darkness of the house.
Phone in hand, I dial Mathew's number and set the phone down on the table. As soon as he answers, I put him on speakerphone.
"What?" Mathew demands sharply.
"Brother! You're on speaker," I say sweetly. "I have an invitation for you. Rather, a request from Konstantin that you really don'twant to turn down. Isn't that right, Calvin?" I look at Calvin, hoping the sound of his voice will force Mathew to play nice.
"Turning down a request from Konstantin is never a good look," Calvin agrees.
Mathew lets out a soft, choked sound and then clears his throat. "Of course, my dear sister. What do you need from me?"
"We're throwing a party. Just a fancy get-together for a bunch of people, and Kosntantin wants you to come. In fact, he wants the whole family to come, including people he hasn't met! And I thought—what a fantastic idea. It's been so long since the whole family has been together, and they really need to meet my husband, so what do you say?"
There's a soft sound, like fabric being dragged over the speaker and a low hum, followed by Mathew clearing his throat again. "This is short notice, Rose."
"It's not tonight," I clarify quickly. "It's next week. So you have plenty of time."
"That's not an issue, is it?" Calvin interjects. "We can send people to pick you up if travel is a concern."
"No, not at all," Mathew replies hastily. "We'll make it work. I know everyone misses you, Rose, and it's been too long since I've seen you. Tell me when and where and I'll be there."
"And you'll bring everyone, right?" My heart begins to pound, fearing he has an excuse ready for why my mother or sister can't make it.
"Konstantin wants to meet everyone, so I will bring everyone," Mathew replies through somewhat gritted teeth. "Don't you worry."
"Excellent!" I can't keep the beaming smile from my face. "I'll send you the details!"
Mathew abruptly hangs up while I grin at Calvin and clap my hands together, then I gasp. "Wait, I'll need to call catering and add four more people. And add an extra table, and extra party favors!"
Worth it, though.
If I can get my father alone on the night of the party, then maybe we can finally talk and I can find a different way out of this mess that will save everyone, myself included.
11
KONSTANTIN
"You really want to do this now?" Ethan gazes at me over the top of the car after glancing at his watch. "We have a party to get to."
Rose's hard-planned party is due to have started by now, and while I called an hour ago to tell her I'd be late, I never intended to be this late. But with one last cookhouse to check, I don't have a choice.
