Page 59 of Landry
"He'll have to get in line," she told him with a shake of her head. "I'm still dizzy."
"I'm just warming you up for later." Pulling her close, he dropped a kiss on her lips, his smile widening at the ominous look on her groom's face. "And I think I'd better quit while I'm ahead." He handed her over to Landry, who aimed a killing look at him.
"Go, far away."
"I intend to." Before he left, he lifted Kady's hand and kissed her fingers lavishly.
"It's time to go," he told her firmly. "Before someone else tries to commandeer your attention."
"My thoughts exactly," she told him feelingly.
* * * * *
He had forgotten the damn champagne. After planning everything to the last detail, he had forgotten the bubbly. Instead of calling down for one of the staff to bring a bucket with ice and the bottle of Dom, he had been persuaded by his bride to go down and grab the stuff himself. The wedding reception was over, finally. They had left before it ended, of course.
But on his way to the liquor storage area, he had passed a few of the guests who had stayed over for the dancing and entertainment, just making their way to their rooms.
Armed with the champagne and slices of the vanilla bean wedding cake with buttercream frosting, humming a tune under his breath, he turned and entered the room, carefully holding the tray aloft.
"Darling, we have company," Kady said, her voice tight.
The words brought a frown to his brow. Turning, he started towards the sofa, ready to blast anyone who had the temerity to interrupt his honeymoon.
He had taken two steps towards her when he stopped. Fear, icy and cold, had him frozen in place. It felt as if his heart had stopped beating. All he could focus on was the gun pointed at his wife's head.
"Why don't you come in and close the door, my son?" Joel's eyes narrowed when Landry took a step back. "I always considered you to be a smart young man; please don't disappoint me now. I have a gun pointed to your new bride's head, and I won't hesitate to use it." He gestured with his free hand. "Close the door. I think it's time we had a conversation. And you brought sustenance. Great. I was at the ceremony but did not want to run the chance of being recognized, so I was not at the reception. Pour me a small glass. In fact, pour us all a glass. And the wedding cake looks delicious."
During the one-sided conversation, Landry had managed to compose himself. "What do you want?"
"For you to stop looking as if I'm about to hurt you. I'd never do such a thing. Please sit."
Walking carefully towards the bed where his wife was propped up against the pillows, he put the tray down on the side table. His heart wrenched as he noticed the sheer black silk she had donned. "Are you all right?"
Reaching for his hand, she squeezed. "I'm fine. I'm sure Mr. Massey has no intention of hurting us, do you?"
"Of course not," Joel said with an expansive smile that made Landry want to smash his face in. "What kind of a monster do you take me for? It's your wedding night, after all."
"And we would like to be alone to enjoy it."
He tsked and, moving around to the tray, picked up a slice of cake and took a bite. "Wonderful!" Moving towards the side of the bed, he kept the gun trained on them. "Now, why don't I fill you in on my plans? I was talking to your wife and explaining things to her before you came back."
"What things?" Landry asked him coldly.
"The fact that you're my son and Kathy is my daughter. And I want to be able to spend time with the two of you." He gestured with the gun and had Landry's hand gripping Kady's. "It's only right that I get my time with you now."
"You're insane."
Joel's face reddened with anger. "Don't say that! Have you no respect for your own father?" He rose and moved to press the gun at Kady's temple.
"Don't!" Landry felt his knees turning to jelly. "Please don't hurt her. I apologize-"
"All right." Joel eased back and nodded. "I said I would never hurt you; I never said anything about not hurting your wife." He shrugged carelessly. "Women are dispensable, don't you agree? You can get another wife, but where would I get another son?" He looked at Kady, his face hardening. "You have that look about you, one of a whore. Your mother has that same look-" he told Landry. "She strung me along, made me believe that she loved me. And what did she do? As soon as a richer man with a better standing in society came along, she dumped me for him."
He giggled, a high-pitched sound that had Landry's heart shuddering. He was unhinged, that much was clear. Landry figured he could try and lunge for the weapon, but he could not risk anything that would endanger Kady's life. All he could hope and pray was that they found a way out of this nightmare.
Kady had been watching the man while he was talking and had noticed something significant. As much as he claimed to hatewomen, she realized that he had been unable to stop looking at her bosom. Thinking desperately of finding a way for them to get the gun away from him, she pressed her fingers against Landry's.
"Mr. Massey? How about that champagne you suggested? I'm sure my husband would love to pop the cork. After all, we're supposed to be celebrating."
