Which he did. Several times.
He never interrupted, seeming content to just hover nearby. It was weird, but Kate didn’t comment, so neither did I.
We were listening to some old Etonian droning on about zoning permissions when I finally spotted our out. “Excuse us, but my mother’s just arrived.”
Mum’s eyes were wide as they met mine. Kate struggled to extricate herself, but sensing Mum’s anxiety, I hurried away. I pulled her into a soft hug when I reached her. “Mum, you’re here.”
“Of course.” She glanced around as she drew back, her eyes darting around the room. “Is Frank here?”
“No, I’m seeing him next week.” Frank didn’t attend events where alcohol was served, which was why he hadn’t been present at my stag do either. “I’m going on a fishing trip with him before the wedding though, so he doesn’t feel like he’s missing out.”
“You’re a good boy,” she murmured distractedly, patting my arm. “It’s a shame Xander couldn’t make it either.”
“Yeah.” I sighed. Mum loved Xander almost as much as she’d loved Dominic. “He’ll be back soon though.”
Her lips pinched as she surveyed the guests. “Youcould’ve warned me it was going to be fancy. I stick out like a sore thumb.”
“Don’t be silly, June,” Kate said, giving Mum a quick hug as she joined us. “You look beautiful as always.”
“You do,” I said, kissing her cheek. “This is a gorgeous dress.”
“It’ll do,” she muttered, plucking at the skirt. “At least I’m dressed better than the others.”
Alarm bells began to ring distantly. “The others?”
“I can’t wait for you to meet Max,” Mum said, taking Kate’s arm. “Isn’t it wonderful that he’s made it back in time for the wedding?”
“He has?” Kate shot me a questioning look over Mum’s head. I shrugged sheepishly. “Well, that’s excellent news.”
“I’m so happy to have them back,” Mum continued enthusiastically, tugging Kate away “You’re going to love them.”
Kate’s brow furrowed, but I was the one to ask the question. “Them?”
“Here they are,” Mum crowed triumphantly, coming to a stop looking at someone in the crowd. “Kate, this is Max and Dominic.”
I closed my eyes briefly. This couldn’t be happening.
But I opened them to find it was, indeed, happening. Cutting through the crowd and coming to a halt in front of us were none other than my erstwhile twin and Dominic.
Yet he has the nerve to call me Shadow. Should call himself it given he spends all his time in Max’s.
Mum was right—neither Max’s nor Dom’s outfits fit in. Both were in T-shirts and jeans. Dom hadn’t even bothered with a coat, despite the definite chill outside.
Didn’t seem to matter though, not when their mere presence commanded respect. No one would likely evennotice they were underdressed. Their confidence was different from mine. Natural. Unquestionable.
Bastards.
Dom’s face was unreadable, his arms crossed over his chest. My eyes lingered on his arms. This was the first time I’d seen so much of them uncovered. I couldn’t quite make out his tattoos, and the artist in me was begging to get closer. To examine whatever Dom had deemed important enough to permanently mark his skin with.
Gradually, my gaze moved northwards.
To find Dominic watching me.
I flushed at his mocking smile. He’d obviously caught me looking.
Grinding my teeth, I looked away.
Mum was already busy with introductions. “Kate, this is Max.”