Page 13 of Angel

‘If we don’t have a wedding, I will systematically annihilate Angel and tear the Forrest family down to the dirt.’

He delivered the threat in a frigid tone, stripped of all empathy.

As the words hit me with a jolt, I was reminded of Reese’s ruthlessness.

He had a reputation for hostile corporate takeovers and crushing local competitors in Nashville.

His papa foreclosed on hundreds of farms during the Depression.

His grandfather, too, was a cutthroat railroad baron who broke unions for fun.

Their Southern legacy was one steeped in old money and cruelty.

The Rosedales had never gained and held onto their vast holdings by amiability, and now Reese was showing us all his true colors.

Hell, he’d only tolerated the idea of me marrying Evangeline because of my relative infamy as a Six Sinners band member.

My father surged forward, his chest colliding with Reese’s broad-shouldered bodyguard, who stepped in to stop his roll.

‘You have the guts to threaten us, Rosedale? I’ll tear you apart before you touch my family.’

The guard shoved my father back, stepping between the two older men.

‘Be reasonable, Drew,’ Reese sighed, smoothing his silk tie. ‘I’ve massive corporate acquisitions hanging in the balance, and my good standing underwrites much of these deals. In our world, reputation is the ultimate currency of the ultra-wealthy. My team is dedicated to protecting our family name and, on my orders, has destroyed anyone who’s stood in my path. Think of what I’ll do to you and your boy here if you thwart me.’

He paced toward the window, looking out at the white opulent tent on the lawn.

‘On the other hand, confidentiality is a luxury we guard with the same fierceness as our investment portfolios. As we speak, my team is putting this entire venue under a digital lockdown. No guest will be able to access WiFi or their networks to post on social media until I say so, until there is confirmation of the wedding continuing as planned.’

I stared at him, my stomach churning with disgust.

‘Is that all this is to you? Saving face because your daughter is MIA?’

‘I haven’t saved it yet,’ Reese countered, turning on his heel. ‘The most efficient way to contain this crisis is for the ceremony to proceed on schedule.’

‘How?’ I barked, a bitter laugh tearing from my throat. ‘The bride is in a sports car halfway to the freakin’ moon for all I know.’

We faced off, my chest heaving, glaring at him.

Reese shot me a sudden smile.

‘Then you’ll marry Roxy,’ Reese declared. ‘She’s also apparently my child. The guests won’t know the difference until the veil comes up, and by then they won’t give a toss.’

‘Are you insane?’ I growled in disbelief. ‘She’s her sister! You can’t just swap one sister for the other like livestock, Rosedale. I’m not doing this.’

Reese ignored my outraged roar.

He gestured, and his bodyguard exited the room, returning with Roxy in tow, with Elsa close behind.

Roxy eyed her father with suspicion, her brow furrowed.

Reese shot her a tight smile that never reached his eyes.

‘Your sister’s ran off and left us with egg on our faces. You’re putting on her dress, Roxanne, and marrying Angel today to save our family name.’

She blinked at the cold directive, then shock hit, and her knees buckled.

I preempted her fall, stepping forward to catch her.