A Ruler in Disguise novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: The Rehearsal Dinner

Weston clung to the doorframe.

Dev stepped down onto the sidewalk and stopped an arm's length from his little brother.

"Wes," he said.

"You're dead." Weston's voice shook. "You're dead, Mother said you're dead, there was a letter."

"There was a letter."

"You can't be here."

"I'm on your street at seven in the morning," Dev said, "in a delivery vest. Look closer."

Weston looked.

I watched the last of the bourbon drain out of his face.

"Where have you been?"

"Working," Dev said. "I hear you're getting married tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, Saturday, yes." Weston wet his lips. "Dev, listen. I was thirteen. I didn't do anything. I never wanted your room."

"You put a necklace in her van."

"I'll fix it. I'll tell Mother."

"No," Dev said, and his voice was quiet.

"You'll say nothing to her until the rehearsal dinner tonight.

"You'll walk in, sit at your table, and smile.

"And in return, nobody calls your marker before supper."

"You hold my marker."

"Orrin Trading Company holds it."

"Oh God," Weston whispered. "What are you?"

"The one who decides if you have a good weekend. Go home, Wes. Sleep it off."

Weston went, staggering up Bull Street with one hand on the wall.

My shoulders came down.

"That was almost kind," I said.

"It was tactics," Dev said. "He'll hold his tongue because he's more afraid of me than of her."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Tonight it is."

The rehearsal dinner was held in the long dining room at Magnolia Hall.

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