Page 43 of Bound Bride
"Why?" His eyes narrow as we walk the perimeter of the party. "You trying to change the deal?"
"Not in the slightest. I am merely ensuring that the monetary installments and the businesses I provided as my half of the deal for this marriage are sufficient. On a business level—and a personal one since regardless of deals, you are Rose's family. By extension, my protection covers you all."
"Oh. I mean, it's whatever. We don't need your protection, but it's cool. The money is fine, and the business is fine."
As we walk, Mathew's head is constantly on a swivel and he scans the crowds rather than focusing on me.
"You seem distracted."
"Huh?" He squawks at me.
"I said you seem distracted."
"Oh. I was… I miss Rose, y'know. It's not the same without her. You get it, right? Having family leave is weird. I was really hoping to talk to her tonight."
"There will be time," I assure him. "In fact?—"
"Hold that thought," Mathew interrupts. He digs around his pockets and pulls out a vibrating phone that stops the moment he taps the screen. Something pops up, flashing a faint hue against his shirt.
Mathew's face drains of color, growing slightly ashen as he stares down at the device.
My stomach knots every so slightly. "Is something the matter?"
The words are barely out of my mouth, but Mathew has already darted away into the crowd and vanished.
My brow tightens.
Sinking my teeth into the side of my cheek, I follow him through the crowd the best I can, but he's a man on a mission and he vanishes within seconds.
Weird.
Something about Mathew's presence is unsettling, but I make the effort because of Rose.
I find her about five minutes later near the patio doors and my chest tightens at the crestfallen look on her beautiful face.
I've never seen her look so sad.
That look vanishes into a small smile the moment she spots me. "Kon."
"Is everything alright? Your brother got a message and vanished. I lost him in the crowd."
Rose nods, and I expect the sad look to return to her face, but she keeps that smile on like a mask. It seems that in the moments when she wasn't aware of my eyes on her, I gained a glimpse at what she was really feeling.
And I don't like it.
If she's sad, I need to fix it.
"Yeah uhm…" She clears her throat and glances over her shoulder as if expecting someone like her brother to return. "He just took my father and left so suddenly."
"Did he say why?"
She shakes her head and looks up at me. "No. Only that there was a family emergency. But he wouldn't tell me what."
14
ROSE
Family emergency?
