159

BRANDON

“Brandon invited me. Of course, I’ll come. Isn’t that right, Brandon?” Pauline says, and her fucking remark added to my exasperation.

“Is that right, my boy?” my grandfather asks as if amused.

His endearment always gives a sour taste to my tongue.

“Petros.” Sebastianos acknowledges my grandfather’s presence with a handshake. The family tree is vast, but everyone in the family circle is his friend. Sebastianos Leandros’ great-grandmother is a Dragoumis.

“Ah! Sebastianos, come, come.”

I roll my eyes. I glance in the direction Alayna went earlier, but I still don’t see her.

What are you doing there, love?

She’s been in the restroom for over fifteen minutes now. I am beginning to worry. After everything my grandfather had said, of course, she’d feel unwelcomed. It’s not a good sight. I regret ever inviting him here. I’m entirely mortified in front of her mother, and I know I have to apologize to her family later.

“Elizabeth,” I call Alayna’s mother’s attention because I can’t prolong this uncomfortable situation for their family anymore. I stand up and walk to her seat, then lean close. “I’ll just get Alayna, and we will all leave, okay?”

Her lips are pressed tight. “I don’t like this kind of treatment, son. Your grandfather is an arrogant man.”

“Mom, will you calm down?” Jason hisses.

“How can I calm down? He’s a snob. My daughter doesn’t deserve this.”

“And she needs us to act civilized.” Chris holds his adoptive mother’s hand. “Please.”

I glance at my grandfather, who is now busy talking to Pauline and her fiancé. I sigh. When he started talking, I begged for the celebration to be over. Half of the guests have already left anyway, including most of the press.

“I’m so sorry about that. I shouldn’t have invited him. It’s all my fault.”

“It is not, but I certainly don’t want to be in the same room with him again.” Elizabeth drops her utensils on the table. “Get Alayna, Brandon. Get her out of that man’s sight. Jason, Chris… Tell Arianna and the kids we are leaving.”

I look over my shoulder. Their siblings are at a separate table, and it’s too bad they seem to be enjoying the meal.

“Let’s wait for them to finish,” I advise. “I’ll look for Alayna.”

Elizabeth is hesitant, but eventually, she agrees. “Tell her to hurry. I’m sorry about this too, Brandon. But I can’t stand your grandfather. He insulted us enough.”

“No, please. I should be the one to apologize. We’re leaving in a moment.” I tense up and make an announcement. “Gentlemen, ladies… Your presence is meaningful to my bride and me, so I’d like to thank everyone for being here with us.” My voice carries across our table, and ten pairs of eyes shift to me. “However, I’m afraid I have to excuse myself and call it a day. Anyone is free to stay, the night is young, but my bride must be tired. Like me, she’s still not used to large crowds. Excuse me.” I walk briskly away from the table because I don’t want to hear any more words from my grandfather.

I invited him because I respect him, and he’s still the head of the family. But I’m my own person. He was not even there with me when I needed him or when Mom and Elga died, so his opinion about my marriage doesn’t count.

I head toward the women’s restroom and knock on the door. “Alayna? It’s me. Are you okay?”

No answer.

“Alayna? We’re leaving.”

I wait for another moment. But there’s still no answer.

I knock again. “Alayna!”

An event hall attendant walks past me in a rush, so I call her.

“Miss? Miss!”

She halts. “Yes, Mr. Lucien?”

“Are there any other ladies’ restrooms on this floor?”

“None, sir. But we have more on the upper floors. Can I help you with anything?” she asks.

“No, thank you.” I rest my hands on my waist. It’s unlikely she’d go upstairs because she’d have to exit from the main door. The attendant walks away.

I attempt to knock again, but I turn the knob instead. It is open.

“Alayna? Darling?” I step inside and look around. She isn’t here.

I rake my fingers in my hair. “Where are you?” I mumble to myself. Maybe she’s already back on the table —

I stop as I notice a black piece of clothing on the restroom floor inside the cubicle. My heart begins to knock loudly against my ribcage. I push the cubicle door and grab the chiffon fabric from the ground.

It’s her dress!

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

I clutch the garment with my fist, but my eyes start to blur, my head feels heavy, and I feel suddenly out of oxygen.

Think. Think. Think.

She’s in danger. Alayna’s in trouble.

“No!” I scream in despair.

Frantically, I sprint out of the ladies’ restroom and scan the place, but I find no one there. My eyesight is getting hazier, my lungs are out of the air, and my chest feels tight.

I clench my left pectorals, where I can feel the pain the most. It’s the same pain I have been suffering for the past eleven years.

Shit!

I don’t know what happened, but Cassius and Oliver advanced toward me.

“She’s gone…” I say breathlessly.

“Brandon.” Oliver catches me, blocking my way. “What happened?”

“Alayna’s in trouble!” I snarl.

“What?” Cassius snatches the dress from my hand. “This is hers.”

“Come on now,” Oliver says. “Let’s get you out of here. It’s not a good sign.”

“She’s gone. It must be him, Ollie… He fucking took her.” I look up at him.

He stops me again. “There are still press around. Our families are still here. Let’s just call the police.”