She opened her mouth to speak, but the music faded and the DJ’s voice came over the sound system, almost deafening Ivan and Samira who were standing right next to the speaker. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the DJ said. “Please give a warm welcome to Adam’s best man – Dylan Quinlan!”
The room erupted into supportive applause. Full of renewed confidence, Dylan strode toward the DJ’s booth and halted in front of it to give his speech. “Good evening, everyone. It’s my honor to serve as Adam’s best man. If you didn’t know, there’s only a year between us, so people sometimes mistake us as twins…”
Ivan glanced at Jake, who glared down at the polished wooden floor.
“But obviously not identical twins…” Dylan continued. “Because only one of us got the good-looks, talent, and business acumen. But I’ll let you figure out who for yourselves.”
People chuckled. Adam shook his head and refrained from making a comment.
“But seriously, Adam is my kid brother and I’ll always feel protective of him. I’m proud of the man he’s grown into… and since he met Amy and she’s forced him to grow up – for which we’re all eternally grateful.”
More laughter.
“I want to welcome Amy into the family. We always look out for our own. Anyone who’s a Quinlan will always have us to fall back on…”
Ivan glanced at Jake again. He was now looking away from Dylan, probably trying to keep it together. Ivan thought it was brave of him to come to this wedding – but he could see how humbled he was by the whole experience. Was that hard-boiled detective actually softening in the presence of the Quinlans?
“And so please raise a glass,” Dylan concluded. “To my wonderful brother Adam and my new wonderful sister Amy. To Adam and Amy.”
The crowd echoed “To Adam and Amy” and raised their glasses. Dylan took his seat to the sound of applause, then Amy’s dad got up to give his equally as sentimental and loving speech. After he sat back down, Ivan led Samira behind the DJ’s booth so they could kiss in private.
“Let’s get out of here,” Ivan said, kissing her. “I need to ravish you.”
“What about your family?” Samira said. “What if anyone finds out about Jake?”
“How will they find out?” Ivan said between kisses. “It’s not like someone’s going to announce over the PA system that Clara’s long-lost twin brother – who was supposed to have died at birth – was actually adopted out because of Jake’s blackmailing cop father – but now he’s back and secretly mingling with his biological family. Are they?”
Samira nodded. “I know.” She grinned. “Alright, come on – let’s go outside for some air.”
Ivan held her hand and they stepped out from behind the DJ’s booth. But then Ivan’s body filled with uneasy dread as he realized that the entire room had gone as quiet as a graveyard – there wasn’t even any music playing. And all eyes were on the two of them. His mom had dropped her drink and was frozen in shock. It was like surveying the aftermath of a massacre.
Or some shocking news…
Ivan glanced around to try to figure out what the problem was. It was almost as if they’d overheard what he’d just said to Samira about Jake – but surely there was no way that could’ve happened...
He slowly turned his head to look at the DJ, who was now reaching over to turn off the microphone. And then he realized that Jake’s secret was no longer safe with him.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ivan sat on the hotel steps in the searing sunshine, with his head in his hands, wondering what else could possibly go wrong. His body throbbed with regret at his gaffe – he couldn’t believe he’d given the game away like that. But at least he had the beautiful Samira by his side, sitting next to him with her hand on his knee, trying to cheer him up.
“They all seem really pleased,” she said. “Stop beating yourself up about this.”
“Yeah.” He thought back to how it’d been just now, when everyone had unfrozen and turned to look at Jake. Jake had been glaring hard at Ivan as if he was trying to set him alight with his eyes… so much for keeping him a secret until Ivan gave him permission to approach the family…
But Samira was right – everyone had been pleased. His mom had drifted over to Jake, then she’d halted in front of him and studied her long-
lost son, before throwing her arms around him and hugging him heartily – crying with joy on his shoulder. Jake had held her tight and tried not to cry himself. Then he’d been swamped with handshakes and hugs from everyone else.
Ivan had decided to leave them to it, so he’d snuck outside to sit in the sunshine. It was lush out here – the hotel was set in acres of landscaped parks and wild woodlands – and the tranquil view helped to give Ivan some perspective. Perhaps it wasn’t as terrible as he’d initially feared.
He rubbed his eyes. “What a fucking bombshell that must’ve been to my parents.”
Samira squeezed his knee. “They’re delighted, Ivan. I’ve never seen anyone look so happy as your mom did just now. And your brothers and Clara seemed thrilled. Even Adam was smiling like crazy – despite this overshadowing his special day.”
“Well, I guess they’ve gained a new brother – that’s got to be good news.”
Samira opened her mouth to reply, but a pair of men’s boots stepped in front of them. She gazed up the leather trousers, past the open shirt, and into the eyes of Joseph Quinlan – making her heart wash with affection. She was a similar age to her youngest brother-in-law, so she felt connected to him. But it was more than that – there seemed to be an affinity between them. He was so sweet and friendly, and Samira was looking forward to them being friends.