how much I loved his daughter, and then dropped some truth on him about his source—Colin—and just how nasty a piece of work he is, and how nothing out of his mouth should be trusted.
I was smooth, I was calm even in the face of his yelling, and he bought every word because he wanted to buy it. As hostile and gruff as he was, he wants the fairy tale for his daughter. He wants her to be taken care of, loved, provided for, protected, spoiled. And I can do all of those things for Livia.
I sigh and soften my tone. “They'll love you. And they won't question my decision like your father. They're just glad I'm finally settling down.”
She nods, her lip trembling. I want to hold her right now, but a bigger part of me is unwilling to let her see any weakness. I don't want her to think she can control me with her tears.
I get out of the car and go around to open her door and help her out. She's wearing an elegant black evening gown, adorned in diamonds at her throat, wrist, and ears to go with the rock on her finger. She looks like a princess. I made sure of it. I took her shopping two days after Christmas to make sure she would fit in to my world. And unlike Livia, I called ahead. My parents have known I'm bringing my future bride to the New Year's Eve party since I called them on Christmas day.
I ring the doorbell, expecting Gregor, their butler, to answer the door. But I'm relieved when it's my mother instead.
“Darling!” she says, pulling me into a hug and kissing both sides of my face like I'm a war veteran that just returned from the front lines.
“Mom,” I say, trying to extricate myself from her grasp.
Then she turns to Livia. “Oh. My. God. She is just lovely, Soren. You two are going to make the most beautiful babies!”
“Mother!” I say. Though she is right. None of the rest of the world's babies will have a shot in hell against our genetic miracles.
She ignores me and takes Livia by the hand, leading her in to the party. There are too many people for a true sit-down dinner, but there's a nice buffet set-up and tables in the ballroom where they'll do the balloon drop at midnight. There are also some tables outside on the terrace surrounded by giant space heaters.
My mother offered to host the wedding reception here, but even I don't want to spend my wedding night with Livia and two other men under my parents' roof, no matter how large that roof is.
I'm an only child of an only child on my father's side. The only big family is my mom's, but they live five states away, so Livia only has to meet my mother and father tonight. She should be grateful. Dayne is one of five siblings and Griff is one of three. I am by far the shortest gauntlet to run family-wise.
Everyone at the party tonight are friends and business associates, and no one has any strong opinions one way or the other about who I marry.
I trail the two women and hear my mother say, “Oh I'm sorry dear, I'm Lillian.” Then she taps my father on the shoulder. “And this is my husband, Stefan.”
My father turns from a group of business colleagues, his face lighting up when he sees Livia. He gives me a look that conveys the facial expression version of a thumbs up then turns back to her.
“So this is the bride,” my father says. “Have you two set a date yet?” he asks Livia.
“June twenty-second,” she says.
“That's a whirlwind. I know how you women get planning weddings. It may just be your full time job.”
“She's got a full time job,” I say.
“Oh?” my father says. He's got that look on his face as though he's wondering if I'm going to allow her to continue working after the wedding. If she wants to, she can. I would prefer her go to part time, but if she loves her work I'm not willing to become a bigger villain over it.
“And what do you do?” he asks finally when no information is volunteered.
“I'm a veterinary assistant. Our office works mostly with abused rescues.”
His face softens at this. He's got a huge soft spot for animals. “That's very fine work to do,” he comments, and Livia beams.
Polite conversation is exchanged with my parents for