A Dangerous Engagement

Chapter 4 : A Break In The Clouds

MARCUS

The sound of a gunshot breaks through my thoughts.

I pause on my steps halfway down the stairs that led from the house to the back gardens by the pool. Looking toward the direction of the sound, I see four figures out on the field near the cliffs, three of them carrying shotguns.

I could understand why Armin decided to go trap shooting this afternoon. There was a break in the clouds and the previously overcast day was now a little sunnier. The winds were still moderately strong but my grandfather would only see it as a challenge.

"Marcus, over here!"

My cousin Cameron is on a lounge chair by the pool, waving at me. I smile and head toward her. Elijah and Cody are in the water, the former swimming laps. Sevel is also in swimming trunks but he seems content sitting on the edge of the pool with his feet in the water, a tray of drinks beside him. It's a little too early for cocktails, but I always suspected my brother-in-law had a slight drinking problem.

"I thought the sun would never come out," Cameron said as I sat on the chair beside her. She lifts her large smoky grey sunglasses to study my chinos and polo shirt. "Aren't you swimming?"

"Maybe later," I said. "Isn't Amber joining us?"

"Oh, you know my wife." Cameron dropped her sunglasses back over her eyes and leaned back in her chair. "She's with Bridget, probably discussing her spring collection. People in the fashion industry will never take a break, I swear to God. I had a hell of a time convincing her to take a vacation from work and come here with me. I mean, she didn't have to, but we already missed his birthday this year, so I thought it would be nice if we both came. What I didn't expect was Grandfather's midlife crisis. Did you know he had a girlfriend?"

"I don't think anyone did."

"My God, did you see how that ring looked on her? Poor girl obviously has never worn real jewelry in her life."

"What do you know about her?"

"Apart from the fact that she's a gold digger?" She sighs. "What else is there to know?"

Sevel walks over with a piña colada in his hand. "Considering Armin will probably put her in his will, I'd be interested to know more if I were you," he said. Then, as though the thought just occurred to him, he asks, "What about you, Marcus? Dig up anything interesting about the lovely Cara?"

I ignore his sly smile. "I didn't dig," I reply nonchalantly. "Besides, how far was I going to get with just a first name." Not a complete lie, but it's going to be tricky to explain myself if worse comes to worst and they discover ...

Well, everything.

***

CARA

Fourteen months earlier

"Marcus is getting married."

My brother-in-law said it casually, as though he were making a comment about the weather.

He's not serious, I know. Raul Marin liked to tease his best friend. Marcus, who was always serious, was never bothered by it. He just sat there, calmly sipping his beer. I gave Raul a questioning look.

"What?" Manang Katelin almost yelled in surprise. I couldn't blame her. As far as she knew, Marcus wasn't even dating anyone.

He wasn't. Not technically, at least.

"Idiot," Marcus muttered. At Kate's still shocked expression, he said, "He's kidding, Kate."

She glared at her husband, who just grinned in response.