Dinner hadn’t gone as badly as Vanessa had feared, all things considered. She’d already expected her parents to be unhappy, so that hadn’t been surprising. But Justin, normally relaxed in situations where others would freeze up, had been so tense the whole time she felt awful for him.
As they waited for the valet to bring out their cars, Iain pulled her aside. “So you’re really happy?” he asked.
She nodded.
“You know you can come to me any time there’s a problem, right? I’m always here, always got your back. Don’t let Justin intimidate you.”
“Do I look like the ‘easy to intimidate’ type?”
“You don’t know him the way I do. He looks all nice and cool, but if you’re in the way of what he wants, he has no problem crushing you. He learned from the best.”
True. Barron Sterling had a terrible reputation in that regard. “I can handle Justin. And if I need help, I have your number.”
“Good.” He gave her an extra-tight hug. “There’s my car. Talk to you soon?”
She nodded and watched her brother leave with Jane. Then her mother came out—sans Salazar—and strode toward her rapidly.
“Oh, good you’re still here.” She gave Justin a quick smile. “Do you mind? I need to steal Vanessa for a moment.”
Ceinlys led Vanessa off a small distance and lowered her voice. “We already spoke about your marriage, so I won’t repeat what I said. Something occurred to me just now, and I thought you should be aware.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve been getting some odd calls. You probably will too.”
“What do you mean?”
“You just married one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the world. People will try to use you to get to him.”
Vanessa gaped at Ceinlys. “Seriously? Do we know anybody that crass?”
Ceinlys sighed. “It is simply impossible to underestimate some people’s behavior. Anyway, I need to say good-bye to Mark and Hilary. I just rushed out to catch you.” She gave Vanessa two air kisses, waved at Justin and slipped back into the restaurant.
Vanessa walked slowly back to Justin, who put an arm around her. “Your family has a lot of secrets.”
“They’re just worried.”
“I will make you happy.”
A small pang in her heart. Not because she didn’t think he was lying, but she didn’t think he realized how empty such promises were at the end of the day. Would he believe her if she told him her father had vowed the same to her mother? And just look at how the dinner had just turned out. “I don’t think that’s what they’re worried about.”
Finally the valet brought out Justin’s car. Just as she was about to walk inside, she stopped.
“What is it?” Justin said. “Do you feel sick again?”
“No.” She leaned forward, staring at a couple walking up the street toward them. The man’s hand rested against the small of his companion’s back, and the woman looked extremely familiar. As they passed under the light, her face was illuminated, and Vanessa gasped.
Justin looked at the couple. “Do you know them?”
“Yes. That’s Ginger Maxwell!”
“Ah…who?”
“Shane’s fiancée!”
Ginger was laughing at something the man said, her head tilted toward him in a comfortable, intimate way. Vanessa couldn’t believe this. How dare she!
Without even thinking, Vanessa ran down the street after them. She felt Justin follow.