Page 12 of Ruthless In A Suit

“That’s lovely, Levi. Really. But it’s a little unbelievable,” Brenda replies.

I hiss in a breath, my knuckles clenching as I grip the table. My father, finally recognizing the rising tension, turns to Levi with a small shrug.

“We’re just a little surprised, is all,” he says with a wan smile. “You have to admit, this is all very sudden.”

My heart breaks for my father in that moment, because I know that what he’s feeling is different from Brenda’s vindictive, snide questioning.

And yet I can’t help but also be angry with him for not standing up for me. Yes, maybe he is confused, but even when he decided to marry the Wicked Witch of Southie, I still supported him because, though she makes me crazy, she clearly makes him happy.

Can’t he do the same for me? Can’t he see that I’m blissfully, deliriously, totally and completely in love with Levi? Isn’t that enough?

“We’re more than surprised,” Brenda says, not willing to let anything rest. “We’re completely shocked.”

“I understand that our relationship has happened quickly, but it seems there’s something else you’d like to say,” Levi says, and I can tell he’s goading Brenda.

I can tell this is the exact same skill he must use in arbitrations to trap CEO’s and catch them in their own web of lies. It’s what makes him one of the very best corporate lawyers in the world, and to see him turning that on Brenda in our tiny kitchen in South Boston both makes me nervous and also turns me on.

“Well, first of all, look at you,” she replies, and then she does. I watch her eyes roam over Levi’s body, the way his shirt, which he rolled up at the sleeves, hugs his biceps, and the razor sharp line of his jaw. His ice blue eyes flash for a moment but then he shows nothing but his patented calm and cool demeanor. One curl of his dark hair has fallen over his brow, making him look slightly roguish and unendingly sexy.

“What about me?” he says.

“You don’t look like people we’re used to seeing around the neighborhood,” she says, as if that explains it all.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” I ask, but Brenda is on the warpath now. She ignores me completely.

“And on top of that, there’s the issue of your money. Oh yes, I did some research on you, Mr. Maxon. And your family. You’re practically swimming in money and property. So forgive me, but yes, I have some concerns.”

“It sounds a little like you think she might be trying to fleece me,” Levi replies, his voice cold as ice.

“I just think the whole thing sounds a little fishy to me,” Brenda retorts, returning to her spaghetti squash. Levi is besting her, and they both know. But at that moment, something inside Levi seems to snap. He drops his fork, and it lands with a clatter on his plate. Brenda’s eyes snap up from her meal, a look of horror on her face.

“Mr. and Mrs. Fallon, I appreciate you having me over tonight. I do think it’s important that we get to know one another, as Cadence and I will be married soon.” He says it like a threat, but it makes my heart skip a beat. “And yes, it’s been fast. But she’s beautiful and smart and funny and creative. She cares fiercely for the people she loves. She’s gracious and kind, and she manages to excel in whatever situation you place her in. And if you can’t see any of what I see in her, well then I feel sorry for you. Because you’re missing out on knowing, and I mean really knowing, one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met.”

I glance across the table and see Brenda with her mouth agape, her eyes wide, trying to take in everything Levi’s just said. I see more than a little jealousy written on her face, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t give me a bit of sick satisfaction. My father, for his part, has the corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile.

Any reservations he may have had seem to have evaporated with Levi’s speech, but he doesn’t say anything.

Levi scoots his chair back from the table and stands, then offers his hand to me. “Cadence, I think we should be going, don’t you?”

I take his hand and stand next to him.

Seeing him stand up for me, standing up to Brenda and squashing her like the bug she is—has made me see him more clearly.

He knew that at the core of it all, Brenda was assassinating my character, not his. And he wouldn’t stand for it.

I’ve never been so happy, despite the drama. Levi makes me believe I really am all those things he says. He makes me believe I can be anything. I love him so much I feel like it’s going to burst out of every part of me.

“Yes, I think it’s probably time to go,” I say. I ignore Brenda completely, instead turning my focus to my father. “Dad, I’ll talk to you later, ok?”

He nods with a smile. “See you later, Cady dear.”

“Bye Dad.”

And then we’re gone.

As soon as we’re out on the street, I practically leap into his arms, smothering him with kisses. His tongues explores as I thread my fingers through his hair, trying to pull him close enough to consume him.

“I love you so much,” I tell him, and even those words don’t feel like enough.