Alex POV

Alex POV

I tugged open my closet and looked at the clothes inside it, deciding what to wear wasn't the problem, that was mostly the fact that I had to take Julienne to see my family.

We hadn't spoken since we got back from the honey moon, I would have like to change that but it wasn't going to be possible. I wished I could have prepped her for this meeting but that too was impossible, while my uncle was a lenient man if he found out the real reason I had gotten married to her he would never approve and i knew that. The best way was to hide this from him at least until everything was fine.

I dressed took my keys and got into my car, my uncle had gifted us an apartment for our wedding gift but I still kept my place.

I rang the doorbell and waited for her to open the door, it took a while but she opened it and I had to swallow trying to catch my breath. She was gorgeous, I could see why Corey wanted her for himself.

Her hair fell over her face in a unique style and her red lipstick made her lips appear inviting and suddenly I wanted to kiss her, she was staring at me with some sort of apprehension like she was uncertain about what to do and needed my approval in a different circumstances I might have allowed myself to dream that I could give it to her but the circumstances were very different and dreaming did no one any good.

I could still remember my fingers running on her skin, touching her eliciting pleasure I hadn't known could exist without climaxing myself. I had reveled in giving her that joy.

And as I stood here watching her I wondered when I had started having this complicated feelings for her. When had a mutual business arrangement become a fondness that I had no ways of understanding, when had it become a need to protect and be with her at every point of the day.

" Hi, I'm ready" she said cheeks flushing as she tugged on her coat, she closed the door behind her and walked out to join me.

We walked side by side to the car.

" So where are we going" she asked opening the door, I opened mine

" Gorge Town bridge" I muttered mentioning my uncle's town house a small home he'd bought probably with his retirement in mind.

Her brows raised slightly but she nodded her head in acknowledgement.

" That's a nice part of town " she said and I grinned.

It actually was I knew that because I had purchased a three storey apartment, and the wait-list had been so long that I'd had to pull some strings. I rented the place out to two couples and left the last floor for myself though I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it right now.

The closer we got to the apartment I got more nervous for her

" Ok. So my cousin can be annoying and standoffish when he wants to get in your nerves and my uncle like jokes he's bringing his girlfriend who will soon be his fiancee" I mumbled.

" Well that's not very encouraging" she muttered biting at her lip

" Julienne try not to worry " I urged, wrapping my hand over her fingers

" I'm trying but it's difficult" she whined lowly I chuckled reaching to the back seat where I grabbed a gift bag

" Well you can, think of this as practice for when we have dinner with your dad " she laughed as if surprised by how I already knew my dad would be a pain in the ass. I had interaction with the man and he was not an easy man. He likely lived his daughter and family but he didn't show it well.

" Tell me about your uncle" she said

" Well he's gruff, quiet and doesn't make a fuss but he reads you and if he deems you worthy then you'll know. He becomes boisterous almost immediately" I mumbled smiling fondly

We arrived at the house the door opened and someone came to greet us, I jerked in small surprise, it was Ian and he looked too pale to be standing by the door ,he had a small smile on his face though like he was having fun.

" Ah the couple of the year" he said softly his voice cracking slightly

" Of course we are, what are you doing here you never open the door yourself" I grumbled and he laughed

" I had to see the bride my brother waxed poetic about," he turned to her bowing over her hand theatrically

" I am Ian Donahue this rascals cousin" he said nodding to me.

" Oh, I'm Julienne Campry , it's nice to meet you"she replied smiling, her cheeks flushing from her nerves and apprehension.

" Wow, now that I see you in person I have to ask, leave my brother and run away with me" he sighed and she laughed. I huffed in annoyance

" I mean it if I was two years younger and healthier" he muttered and she grinned

" I would but I'm stuck with him, maybe in a few years" she mumbled

" That had better be a joke or I'll kill someone" I huffed leaning against the door knob

" I'd like minimum blood shed" a female voice pleaded as she strode into the room hands linked within my uncle's. They looked content together as they smiled in the door way.

" Ian will you let them in, how long do you want to keep them at the door" he asked looking at him with amusement, Ian grinned pulling away from the door

" Come in Julienne and tell me all about you" he whispered taking her hand in his.

I pressed a kiss on Mary's cheek and she smiled softly at me

" How are you"

" I'm fine" I replied

" She looks very beautiful, I'm sorry I couldn't make it for your wedding" she mumbled and I grinned

" That fine, they'll be payback" she looked at me a confused furrow forming in her forehead

" Let's forget that and go get dinner " I mumbled leading her to the table.

Ian and my uncle were already in deep conversation with Julienne and she seems more relaxed and comfortable speaking to them easily.

We seated at the table and passed on the food

" How are you enjoying marriage" Mary asked a curious look in her face as we ate

" I'm enjoying it well, he makes me wonder sometimes what I ever saw in him" she replied and I huffed in amusement

" I am the love of your life" I replied and everyone laughed she did too but I caught her looking away from me after a while, my words sank in and i realized just how my words would have sounded like, my throat tightened but I couldn't bring myself to regret it or take it back.

I wished she was, wished she could be mine but that was not going to happen.

Maybe if we had met in a different time, when we were different people before vengeance had shaped our world. We hadn't though and now we were here for one thing only and that was all I could allow.

Dinner ended when Ian felt weak, he looked pale again his hand shaking, it was time for him to go rest.

Julienne joined Mary in clearing the dishes and cleared the table, I took Ian's hand and led him away

" She's nice" he muttered and i smiled

" Of course she is my wife " i replied

" I'm happy for you " i mumbled putting him into bed, he groaned, grimaced as he laid down

" Have you taken your meds " I asked and he grimaced

" They don't work anymore"

" What does your doctor say" I asked. Ian had become ill over two years ago, a cancer. We had gone for chemo and all the treatment and it had seemed he was going to make it . Then the cancer had come back and spread badly.

" The same ol shit, I have to stay in the hospital but I can't. I want the comfort of my home if I'm going to die" I didn't refute it, he was dying, only a miracle could save him and that didn't seem to be coming, I took his hand in mine

" Then we'll bring it to you" he started to protest and i looked to him

" No complaints, go to bed" I hissed and he nodded. I started to leave when he called to me

" she's a good woman, don't let her go " I gulped,

" I won't"

I arrived in the dinning room just in time to hear Mary whisper

" Let's go shopping sometimes" Julienne nodded

" That's good, and you can visit anytime" my uncle said softly

" Ian loved you I'm sure he'll love the company" he finished

" I will" she replied, we waved from the driveway.

The drive to the apartment was quick, I walked with her to the door pausing

" Thank you for today, I think we've overcome most of the hurdles"she muttered and I nodded

" next is planning on Corey, he came to see me today" I mumbled

" Really what did he want' she asked and I sighed

" He was furious that you're with me and he knows Tammy was with me so he has suspicions"

" This will be easy then " she mumbled a little excited

We stood watching each other in silence, at her bedroom door I didn't know why I was still here,

" Thank you, for indulging my family. The divorce will be a shock but this will give them memories" I muttered and she nodded

" I don't mind" she replied, we stared at each other for a long while, I raised my hands to her face slightly and she froze pulling away

" Sorry. I need to go to bed now " she blushed and walked away from me

" Good night" she whispered and i nodded

I walked to the bar poured myself a shot of whiskey and downed it.

I needed to get my head in straight, I needed... I wasn't sure what I needed.