The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 36

Flinch

"Zeke, you gave the bride what gift? That seems... intriguing."

I watched Claire Smith, hiding the warring emotions.

If one didn't run fast enough, that person risked getting trampled over. One had to reply creatively... quickly. Otherwise—

In deliberate movements, Jace pulled me in front of him. Both arms wrapped around my slim waist tightly. When he buried his face in on my shoulder, I tensed, unsure of what he was trying to do all of a sudden.

His lips pressed against the skin of my neck in an intimate fashion. More than anything, I wanted to push him away. I needed my focus and this wasn't helping in the least.

"I didn't know you were accepting gifts from another man... and during our engagement, Isla?" The lilt of his tone suggested jealousy... and something else.

Was it a warning for me? Our position seemed to make Claire Smith and Zeke Garcia uncomfortable as well. Zeke's eyes were specifically fixated at Jace's face beside mine. My gaze shifted to Claire's... her lips twitched in an effort to keep her smile in place.

One had to wonder what went on in Jace's head.

Claire was right in front of us. If we went by Zeke's narrative and what I saw that night... didn't they have a relationship? Why did he seem more focused on Zeke today?

And Zeke's irritation for the man vibrated in waves.

I thought for a split-second before raising my hand to pat Jace's hair. Strangely it worked as well as calming a large dog ready to pounce.

My eyes turned to Zeke, carefully playing my tune... and I settled for a coolly perplexed delivery.

"You really want to talk about this now? You were so drunk that night that I thought you running your mouth. It seemed of poor taste to gossip of another person's less... lucid moments." With an afterthought, I added, "Remember you even threw a wineglass at me."

Jace suddenly lifted his head, "He threw a wineglass at you? Were you hurt?"

I hid the surprise at Jace's choice of attention. I had laso thought it dangerous that night but that wasn't the main focus of the discussion right now.

It seemed best to play along anyway.

I shook my head, "I wasn't. Specifically, he threw the glass at the floor in front of me."

Jace stood properly and eyed Zeke, "I don't like this."

I nodded once.

"Aren't you diverting this conversation?" Claire cut in in an almost-shrill tone.

I wasn't sure how to put it. She pressed her lips together and raised her chin. This woman was... something else. She irked me to high heavens. Despite Jace's actions in front of her, Claire Smith seemed confident in whatever relationship she had with him.

I didn't like this at all but I was a non-confrontational person.

It came with the upbringing.

And during the wedding party? With all these people in attendance?

But I had to think fast. Claire Smith seemed to be feeding off of her fifteen minutes of fame with this scene. And in exchange for the image I had been—with all difficulty—keeping until now. The way she is now, I didn't think she would stop until she got whatever reaction she wanted.