Lexi lowered her voice. “We’re finally by ourselves. What’s going on between you and Eric? I’ve beendyingto hear.”
Vic opened her mouth to tell Lexi that she had no idea what was going on between them apart from amazing, mind-blowing sex just as Eric and Austin walked around the side of the house headed their way. “That was fast.”
Austin’s gaze caught hers, and she could see he was angry.
Her pulse skipped, a little trill of fear sliding through her.
He sat down beside her. “I am so sorry about the things that bastard did to you. He’s lucky he’s locked up where Hawke and I can’t get to him. I swear by everything holy that if anyone bothers you tonight, Hawke and I will make him eat his own balls. I’ll understand if you still don’t want to go, but the best revenge is to enjoy your life again while that sack of shit rots in prison.”
Tears welled up in Vic’s eyes. “And you won’t be embarrassed if something like what happened at the gas station happens again?”
Austin shook his head. “How some asshole behaves can only embarrass him.”
Vic smiled, wiped her tears away. “Lexi picked a good guy.”
Eric knelt down in front of her, sunglasses hiding his eyes. “Does that mean you’re coming with us, city girl?”
Vic nodded. “Yes.”
And just then, a wonderful, wild, and crazy idea came to her.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
Chapter 14
Eric drovefrom his cabin to the inn, fidgeting with his damned bow tie. He knew he hadn’t gotten it right, but then he’d never worn a bow tie before. He was into jeans and T-shirts, not Ralph Lauren. But if Lexi and Austin wanted to playCasino Royaleand blow a bunch of money on food, booze, and gaming, he would dress up and go with them—and he wouldn’t complain.
He pulled into the inn’s long driveway, parking in the area reserved for family and friends, double checking to make sure the condom case was in his trouser pocket. Rose and Kendra sat together at a table on the back porch, the two of them bent over Rose’s tarot cards, a bottle of wine and two glasses sitting between them. They stopped talking when they saw him, smiles on their faces.
Rose wolf-whistled at him. “Victoria won’t be able to resist you.”
“Don’t you look pretty?” Kendra teased.
Bob opened the back door, rubbing a hand over his bare, hairy chest, a beer mug in his hand. “I thought the wedding was Saturday. Should I get dressed?”
“Hey, Bob.”
Bob pointed with his thumb. “They’re all waiting by the guest elevator.”
Eric walked through the house and out the door that led to the main entrance hall, and stared. “Damn. You lot clean up nice. Moretti, I almost don’t recognize you. Lexi, Britta, Win—you look gorgeous.”
Lexi was living up to her nickname—Sexy Lexi—her red hair in a fancy updo, her body sheathed in a short, silky dress of white with silver beading. Britta wore a dress of shimmering purple, her hair swept up in a twist, while Winona looked amazing in a long spaghetti strap dress of dark green satin, her shoulder-length dark hair pulled into a stylishly messy bun. But something was wrong.
Eric looked down at himself, then at Taylor, Moretti, and Belcourt. “Why is my tuxedo jacket white and yours are black? I’m not the bride.”
“Thank God.” Austin shrugged. “Some kind of mix-up, I guess.”
“Where’s Victoria?”
“She texted to say she’ll be down in a minute,” Lexi said.
Eric made his way over to Taylor and gave him an update, keeping his voice low. “I called the head of security at the casino and explained our concerns. He told me that any man who accosted her would be escorted out. We’re supposed to check in when we get there. I’d like to do it without Vicki knowing.”
Austin arched a brow. “So it’s Vicki now?”
Belcourt walked over. “Is Victoria in some kind of trouble? Does she have a stalker or something?”
Shit.He’d overheard.