"Yes. I want him out of our lives.” Chloe looked at Emma, dancing with Ethan. “I can't believe you handed him over to her like that."
"I didn't hand her shit! You get ready because when I'm finished here, I'm going to let her know that this is the last time she will ever get that close to my man.” Grace was furious. “And that goes for you, too."
"You have fifteen minutes before the police arrive.” Chloe looked and nodded at Joshua.
Grace now looked at the large man headed for them, looking at her like he was going to combust in anger. She had no idea what a dangerous situation she had walked into.
Chloe looked at Grace with hopeful eyes. She didn't care about Ethan at all. She just wanted Emma. “He's coming."
"I'll either break her heart or kick her ass. Ethan is mine, and I'm crazier than all you bitches combined. Is that clear?"
"Crystal.” Chloe was smiling now.
Grace could barely believe her own words. She sounded like a pirate. Maybe she was a little closer to her roots after all. But regardless, her old friend Evelyn was a martial arts expert, and she had taught Grace a few tricks. She never had to use them, but she knew she could. Grace marched right up to Ethan and Emma on the floor.
"Excuse me.” She tapped on Emma's shoulder with her finger, hard. “You're done now."
"We're still dancing.” Emma protested, trying to hold onto Ethan.
Ethan dropped her hand and stepped back. Emma puffed and turned to look at Grace. Her arms folded.
"I don't think you know who I am.” Emma looked Grace up and down.
"Sure I do. You're the past. I'm the future. I hope you enjoyed your last few minutes because if you ever touch him again, I'll personally kick your ass!” Grace pushed past her almost knocking her down. “OH, and I know all about you and Chloe. I'd look for a lawyer, bitch!"
She walked right to Ethan and embraced him, picking up the dance.
"Holy shit, Grace, what is going on?” Ethan held her nervously. Her eyes were green and flamed with anger. Two things he felt instantly, frightened for her safety, and amazed by her passion.
"You need to make a scene and I mean now.” Grace was still speaking in a serious deep tone. “Chloe is in love with Emma not you. She is using you to get to her. The police are coming, and if Emma leaves, you could still be in danger."
Grace was nervous and pumped with adrenaline. She had been in cat fights when she was younger but never as an adult. Ethan was following her eyes intently.
"Emma got her out on bail. Chloe was at my house, Ethan.” Grace motioned to Joshua, who was hovering near the doors. Grace had the distinct feeling she may have blown whatever deal he had already arranged. Maybe it was because Joshua fumed so intently she thought steam rolled from his head.
"Are you serious?” Ethan's hair stood on the back of his neck like a dog ready to attack.
"Listen, Chloe is nuts. She just wants Emma. If you prove tonight that Emma has no chance with you, she will turn herself in and be done with the whole thing.” Grace was rambling in a panic.
"You believe her?” Ethan surveyed the room. Emma was leaning against the closest table, and Chloe was standing staring at Grace. He needed to get to Joshua. He needed to get Grace to Joshua. He could protect her. If they wanted to kill him, that was fine but not Grace. “She came to kill us?"
"Ethan, I believe her. Chloe could have walked out the backdoor and killed us both, but she didn't. She doesn't want to. Trust me.” Grace was desperate. He had to listen. Everything depended on this moment.
"The police are on the way. Chloe said they would be here in a few minutes. Emma has to stay here. She plotted it."
"Son of a bitch!” Ethan had planned a grand gesture already but not at his brother's wedding. Whatever Grace and Chloe talked about, the time was ticking, and Emma started to walk away. He would do this to calm Grace down and find Joshua after.
"Okay.” Ethan nodded.
Note to self, NEVER make Grace this angry
. He headed for the main table, pulling her along until he felt safe enough to let her go.
"Excuse me, excuse me everyone.” Chase stood ringing his fork on a glass. “My brother Ethan has asked me if he could make an announcement. Ethan."
"It has come to my attention that many people believe I am here alone tonight when, in fact, I am here with a very special woman."
Ethan took the microphone that was handed by a younger cousin, patted her on the head, and smiled. He hated being the center of attention. He was a private man and hated the public eye. People were already snapping photos.
He walked toward Grace, who remained where he left her. The crowd was silent, and the music stopped.
"I had planned to do this another way, but I cashed in a favor and here I am in front of my family, friends, and well strangers at my little brother's wedding.” He took Grace by the hand and bent to one knee.
Grace wanted him to just tell Emma off, keep her occupied till the police came, not propose. She wanted to set things right for him. Was this real? The crowd began to whisper. Camera bulbs flashed. Emma stopped and looked at them again.
If it was real, of course, he'd have a ring. Who carries a ring around at a wedding? Grace's heart was pounding. She had daydreamed about this moment and here it was. Nothing like she had pictured. Ethan was a very private man, who liked to keep his life quiet. She imagined a quiet intimate proposal.
"Ethan?” Grace whispered. Her eyes were telling on her. She was scared.
"I love you, Gracie, more than art, more than anything. I'll leave New York if you want me to.” Ethan set the microphone down and reached into the small pocket on the right-hand side of his tuxedo. Pulling the ring from his pocket, he slid it on her left ring finger. “Grace McPherson, will you marry me?"
This was real. Apparently, Ethan was the kind of man who walked around with a ring in his pocket at a wedding. She caught her breath and said, “Yes."
"I'm sorry I didn't hear you.” Ethan teased, his eyes were sparkling, and his smile was gorgeous.
"Yes!"
She said it louder, and the crowd roared in applause. Ethan gathered up Grace, lifting her to face him spinning around as they kissed.
"Do you think that was a grand enough gesture?” He set her back on the floor.
"I would say so.” Grace was glowing.
"Good, now let's find Joshua.” Ethan held Grace's hand tightly. He was frightened. The woman he loved and his unborn child were at risk because of some crazy woman's desire to get back at another. He didn't like being a pawn in their game. He would kill them both before letting them hurt Grace.
Emma stood there with her mouth open and her heart broken. Ethan had told her all those years ago that he wasn't a marrying man. He never wanted to get married, and he would never leave his gallery. Art was his life.
She had talked him into it, but it was never real. They had never set a date. He never told her he loved her. He always said it back to her and never in public. Now, he did everything he told her he would never, ever do.
"Chloe!” Emma shouted at her causing everyone around them to notice. “You stupid bitch, you were supposed to take care of her."
"I did.” Chloe looked strange, delirious. “Now, I'm going to take care of you."
"What are you talking about, Chloe?” Emma backed away nervously. “You love me. You always take care of me, right?"
"Yes. Except now, I plan to take care of us both.” Chloe reached in the satin bag and pulled something shiny from it.
"Chloe, please, I swear, I love you, I always have. Don't kill me. I know I gave you that gun to kill Grace, but I knew you wouldn't do it. I knew it.” Emma cried, and her confession shocked every witness around her.
"Smile.” Chloe snapped the picture with her cell phone. “I'm on the line with the police department. Grace was right.
I
deserve better. Bitch!"
Joshua moved quickly grabbing both women by the arms and escorting them out of the building. There were cars waiting. He wasn't expecting Chloe to bust Emma like that, but it sure made things easier. They had planned on just trying to get her on tape. Now, he had more than enough witnesses.
Wolf was right. Emma Miller was the cause. Chloe was her henchman, and Ethan's lawyer's secretary had told Emma were to find him. Ayden was good, damn good. Wolf followed Chloe to North Carolina, making sure nothing happened. Joshua owed him big time.
Katherine approached the bride. “Megan, I am so sorry all this happened at your wedding, the proposal, the police. You poor child.” She hugged her.
"Puuh-lease. I don't care. I have Chase and guess what, we're having a baby. They could tear the place down, and I wouldn't care.” Megan hugged her mother-in-law.
"A baby?” Katherine beamed with joy. Megan had made a real effort since Grace showed up. Katherine always liked her. She just worried that she was hiding, insecure, but on her wedding day Megan really let it all down. She knew what was really important, Chase and her future with him. “Well now!"
"You can tell them if you want.” Megan gestured to the guests, who were all just a buzz from the excitement.
"Can I?” Katherine beamed “My first grandchild!"
"Uh, okay.” Megan wasn't going to tell her. That was up to Ethan and Grace.
"Attention everybody!” Katherine tapped on the glass. “I know that this has been one interesting evening, but it just got better! My new daughter-in-law just told me I am going to be a grandmother!"
Everyone applauded.
Ethan and Grace were in another room giving statements to the police. They looked over to the doors and wondered what had happened now. Megan's wedding had all but turned into a circus.
"I want a small wedding,” Ethan said to Grace. “Real small."
"I agree.” She was sick to her stomach and worried that all the stress was bad for the baby. She remembered what Ethan's mom said about how stressed she was when she almost lost Ethan. Grace took a breath.
"Are you okay?” Ethan pressed his left hand in the small of her back.
"Little queasy.” Grace took another deep breath.
"We can finish this later.” Ethan signaled to the officer. They had answered enough questions anyway.
Joshua sought them out. He was pissed. Ethan could feel the anger dripping from him. He was pissed at Grace, but Joshua would never be ugly toward a lady. Ethan felt it coming like a dog's bite.
"Ethan! How could you let her talk to that crazy bitch? You almost ruined it. I spent all last night working on a way to get Emma's confession. Chloe wouldn't hurt you, or Grace!” Joshua fumed. His words like bullets.
"I didn't know, Big Dog.” Ethan raised his left hand and pulled Grace in front of him. He knew his cousin well. He wouldn't keep shouting at Grace through him with her right there. He apparently knew everything, and that didn't surprise Ethan either. Joshua was good at his job. “I didn't know she was going to see Chloe for one instant."
Joshua looked at Grace.
"Did she hurt you?” Joshua softened his voice. Why would she go talk to a stalker who had almost tried to kill her? He was glad Ethan went to North Carolina now. Grace was obviously too much of a risk taker for his taste. He wanted a quiet life. This woman was obviously wild.
"No. She told me you already had it under control.” Grace held Ethan tightly around her. Joshua's green eyes were like flames. He was yelling at Ethan, but he was really yelling at her.
"Well, I did, but ... you have to be a little more careful in New York, Grace.” Joshua looked back to Ethan. “It must be nice to feel so damn safe all the time."
"It's okay, Big Dog.” Ethan pushed a hand out to his cousin. Joshua had lost his partner because he didn't get to the house in time. The man didn't wait for backup, but it didn't matter to Joshua. He still felt like a failure. To know anyone in his family was in danger, especially a woman, it affected him. “I know you would have been there if anything went wrong."
"I got shit to do.” Joshua turned and stalked off. God, he hated this life. Now, it stretched to family. He needed to get away, get away from it all.
"Is he alright?” Grace looked up at Ethan.
"Yeah, I had to put you in between us. He would have killed me for letting you get that close to Chloe. I don't blame him.” Ethan looked down at her. “You scared me to death you know."
"Sorry. I really didn't expect to walk into that. I just thought ... He's right I need to open my eyes a bit.” Grace sighed.
She had lived a rather sheltered life in Beaufort. The only real tales of violence came from the news and Evelyn. She needed to wake up to the world now as well.
"Let's go home.” Ethan kissed her lips then brushed his nose against hers.
The cab pulled up outside the gallery. Ethan headed toward the backstairs leading Grace with his hand. It had been a long day, and all he wanted to do was go upstairs and hold her for a while. Joshua made it clear in his actions that Chloe and Emma were real threats. He had definitely underestimated the two women. And Grace, fearless, she never thought of her own safety for one minute. Maybe living in New York was a bad idea.
"Wait.” Grace stopped. She felt better. Her nerves had settled. She was fully aware that she had to open her eyes to the world at large if she was going to live in New York. “Can I see it?"
"See what?” Ethan looked down at her.
"The gallery, I've never seen the inside.” Grace headed toward the door.
"Oh, of course.” Ethan pulled out his keys and opened the door. He wanted to go upstairs, but she was looking in the door like a kid at a pet shop.
Grace was in awe of the place. It was amazing. Like a museum only smaller.
"Tell me about them.” Grace started at the beginning.
"The paintings?” Ethan stood behind her.
"Yes, teach me.” Grace held his hands that now rested on her belly.
"These are Stephanie's. She manages the gallery for me and goes to school for clothing design, but I think she just wants to prove she's versatile. I spend a lot of time here when she's in class, but sometimes I have to travel, for portraits or for lectures.” Ethan looked at the painting. “It's oil on canvas, a model in a red dress. Stephanie placed more emphasis on the dress than the model."
"Lecture?” Grace was surprised. “Where do you lecture?"
"Usually at Yale since it's close by. They have a nice art museum there. Sometimes here in New York, at the different universities. Sometimes at colleges around the world. It depends.” He shrugged.
"Don't you have to have like a Master's or a Doctorate to do that?” Grace looked up at him, and he said she was full of surprises.
"Yeah, usually.” Ethan wasn't interested in giving her his resume. His education was an asset, but it didn't make or break him as an artist. It helped him as a businessman.
"So, do you or don't you?"
"I do. Why?"
"I was just curious. I mean I would love to finish school and teach college. I liked high school, but with a baby on the way, I just don't know.” Grace moved to the next painting.
Ethan followed and explained each of the paintings one by one. It was a nice detour though it was hard to keep his hands off the rose petals and leaf petals for much longer.