Chapter Six

Tempest

" H ow are you possibly back already?" I ask, throwing the door open with a smile on my face…only for it to slide off when I see my cousin waiting on the other side instead of Dalton. "Triton."

"Expecting someone else?" he asks, one brow arched as he leans against the wall across the hall.

"Um…" Crap. I should have checked the peephole first. Dalton ran out to get breakfast ten minutes ago. I figured it was him coming back for some reason, not my cousin. I'm not prepared to deal with him yet. I already know how this conversation is going to go, considering that he never wanted me to marry Dalton.

But I guess I don't have a choice now. We're going to have to talk because I'm not going to lie to him. This is my life, my choice. He doesn't have to like it.

I square my shoulders and meet his gaze, steeling myself for the inevitable argument. "Maybe you should come in," I suggest.

His brows climb even higher as he pushes off the wall. "That sounds ominous," he mutters, strolling past me into the room.

His gaze skirts around, his nose wrinkling. "Jesus Christ, Tempest. It stinks in here." He turns to face me, his dark eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Did you spend all night drinking your sorrows away, baby cousin?"

"No…Dalton was here." I bite my lip when his expression immediately darkens.

"You're fucking kidding me," he growls. "What did that prick want?"

"Um, well…" I flounder, searching for the right words to explain.

His gaze drops to my left hand and his eyes widen. "Oh, my fucking god!" He grabs my hand, staring at the glittering diamond. "You married him?"

"Yes," I whisper, hating how small my voice sounds, as if I did something wrong, something I'm ashamed of doing. I clear my throat and try again. "Yes, I did."

I watch the emotions play across his face—shock, anger, betrayal, and finally, disgust. My stomach twists into knots. I knew he wouldn't take this well, but seeing the look in his eyes still hurts.

He drops my hand, shaking his head as he stares at me. For just a minute, it looks like sheer hatred flashes through his eyes. But that's not right. Triton loves me. He's always loved me. For as long as I can remember, it's been the two of us against the world.

"Tempest, Jesus," he mutters, shaking his head. "What the fuck were you thinking?"

"You know how I feel about him," I say defensively, my heart racing. I won't let him make me doubt this, doubt Dalton. Not after last night. Maybe Dalton doesn't love me. Maybe I'm deluding myself to think he'll ever feel that way about me. But he feels something. I know he does. I felt it last night. When he touched me, kissed me, held me—I felt it.

"Yeah, I do. I also know that you were just crying over him yesterday!" Triton snaps, shoving a hand through his hair as he paces the small hotel room like a caged animal, his fists clenched at his sides. I've never seen him this mad before. Not at me. "He just wants Evernight, not you. You're a fucking fool if you think otherwise."

Ouch. Harsh.

"That's not your business," I snap at him, my temper flaring white hot. He doesn't get to talk to me like that. No way.

"You're my business," he says, whirling to face me. "You know I'm just looking out for you."

"Really? Because it doesn't seem like it," I mutter, scowling at him with my arms crossed. "You're supposed to be my best friend. Out of everyone, I thought you'd be happy for me."

"Yeah, well, I'm not," he says, shrugging like my feelings mean nothing. "I'm not going to lie to you and pretend I am. I don't trust him. I don't like him. And I think this whole thing was a giant fucking mistake."

"Well, it was my mistake to make, Triton," I snap, feeling hot tears pricking at the backs of my eyes. I blink them away, refusing to let him see how much his reaction hurts. "It's my life, my company, and my future. Not yours."

His jaw pulses as he glares at me, grinding his teeth together. He's so mad. I don't get it. Aren't the people who love you supposed to be happy for you when you're happy? So…why isn't he?

"Fine." He holds up his hands, shaking his head. "If that's the way you want it, I'll butt out. You won't hear another goddamn word from me about it."

"Thank you," I sigh, relieved.

It's short lived. Extremely short lived.

"But don't come crying to me again when it all blows up in your face, and you're left heartbroken and alone." He holds my gaze, a tilt to his chin that's all too familiar. "Because mark my words, Tempest, that's exactly what's going to happen. Dalton Grady is going to destroy you. And you're just rolling over and letting it happen."

I gape at my cousin, stunned by how harsh he's being. I knew he wouldn't be thrilled about my surprise marriage to Dalton, but damn. He's just being mean now.

"Maybe you should go," I say coldly, my voice trembling.

"Yeah, maybe I should." He shakes his head in disgust. "You clearly don't need me here."

He brushes past me, stalking toward the door, his body rigid with anger. Tears well in my eyes as a sob catches in my throat. He can't leave like this. We never fight, not really. I don't want to fight with him now, not about this.

"Triton, wait. I…" I reach out for him, desperate to make peace, to make him understand. He doesn't have to trust Dalton. He just has to trust me. I'm happy. Can't that be enough for now?

But he ignores me as if I didn't speak at all, ripping the hotel room door open so hard it bounces off the wall.

Dalton's standing on the other side, his brows furrowed, his hand raised as if to knock—so damn handsome he takes my breath away even now when I want to cry.

Triton sees him and scowls, his handsome face twisted with loathing.

"Hey," Dalton murmurs.

"Congra-fucking-lations," Triton snarls in response, his voice dripping venom as he shoulder-checks him, stomping out into the hallway.

"Triton!" I call, horrified by how nasty he's being. Dalton hasn't done anything to deserve it. Neither of us have.

But Triton ignores me yet again, disappearing down the hallway with a muttered curse. A second later, his door slams hard enough to rattle windowpanes.

Dalton glances after him before stepping into the room, his brow furrowed with concern as he looks at me. I press my palms to my hot cheeks, trying to calm myself down so I don't break down sobbing.

"Is everything okay, baby?" he asks, his deep voice gentle as he sets our bag of food on the table, crossing to me. "Triton seems pissed."

"He's fine," I lie, forcing a smile I don't feel. "He's just worried about me."

Dalton arches a skeptical brow. "You sure about that? I could hear the two of you yelling from down the hall."

"I'm sure." It's a lie. I'm not at all sure. But the last thing I need is Dalton hating Triton as much as Triton apparently hates Dalton. "Triton has always looked out for me and the company. He's…protective."

Dalton grunts, clearly not buying my excuses.

"It's always been the two of us," I whisper. "His father is an alcoholic. Mine doesn't care about anything except money. My mother loves him desperately, but he barely has time for her. He certainly never had much for me growing up. But I always had Triton."

But I'm not sure I do anymore. He feels so damn far away, and I understand why. This is what we always dreamed about—me taking over the company, finally being able to do everything we wanted without my father stepping in to quash any plan he didn't like. When did that change?

Dalton pulls me into his arms, holding me close. I go willingly, burying my face in his throat, desperately trying to absorb his warmth. But not even the feel of his arms around me eases the painful knot in my stomach.

I knew Triton didn't like the idea of me marrying Dalton, but I didn't realize he was this angry about it. His reaction feels…off to me somehow. There's an undercurrent of something dark and bitter to his animosity that I don't like.

I feel like I'm missing something, and that worries me.

But I can't do anything about it now. Trying to talk to Triton when he's this angry and unreasonable won't get me anywhere. It never has. Until he's calmed down and is ready to see reason, all I can do is wait him out and hope he comes around.

Damn him, though. There's already so much in my life that's uncertain. As much as I love Dalton, as much as I don't regret saying yes, I'm scared. Scared that he'll regret it. Scared that he'll never find room in his heart for me. Scared that my heart overruled my head and I'm going to pay for it in the end.

I need Dalton like I need air. And every damn second I spend with him, I just need him more. If he changes his mind, I won't survive it.

I could use my cousin right now. He's my rock. He always has been.

But I guess I have to be my own rock now.

I sigh, pressing a kiss to Dalton's throat.

"Are you ready to eat, baby? You need your strength. I have plans for you today," he murmurs, his deep voice rumbling through me.

I tilt my head back to meet his piercing hazel gaze. "You do?"

"Mmhmm." A wicked smirk curves his lips, a glint in his gorgeous eyes. "They involve you not leaving this fucking room or that bed until I've fucked you in every position I can think up."

Oh God. Molten heat blasts through my veins, and my core clenches almost painfully. I can't contain the needy moan that rolls from my lips.

I stare up at him, lust pounding through me like a second heartbeat. I want him so much I ache with it.

I'm still deliciously sore from last night, but I don't care. It doesn't matter. I'll always want more of this man. More of his touch, his taste, his possession. Just…more.

"Hurry and feed me," I breathe, fisting my hands in his shirt. I lean up on my toes, pressing my tits to the hard wall of chest. "I need you inside me. Right now."

His eyes darken, a growl rumbling in his chest. "Careful, baby," he warns, palming my ass. "If you keep wiggling this hot little body against me, I won't be responsible for my actions."

"Maybe I don't want you to be responsible." I scrape my teeth over my bottom lip, watching his scorching gaze follow the movement. "Maybe I want you to let go and take what's yours."

"Fuck, Tempest."

His control snaps…and breakfast is ice cold before we get around to eating it.