Her eyes softened. “You still have it?”
“It’s in my closet.” I’d packed up most of her things and put them in storage. It was too difficult to throw her things away, like her favorite cardigan or the scarf she always wore around Christmastime. But I didn’t want to see them every single day either. Her dress was one thing that I kept. My collared shirts and slacks all hung in a row. At the very end was her white dress in the plastic covering.
“I’m sure Titan would feel honored if you offered.”
“But I already gave Diesel her engagement ring. I think I should save the dress for the next son who gets married…to make it fair.”
“Aww…Titan is wearing her ring?”
I nodded.
“That’s very sweet.”
It’d been sitting in my nightstand ever since I buried Isabella. My ring was with hers. It took me two years after her death to finally stop wearing it. “It looks great on Titan. I think Isabella would be happy to see her wear it.”
“Too bad they didn’t get to meet.”
Too bad she didn’t get to experience so much with me. She died far too young. I would always be bitter about it. I was supposed to go first. “Yeah. But I’m sure she’s watching over us. She’s seen the fine men the boys turned out to be. She’s seen all my mistakes as well as my redemption.”
“And I’m sure she’s very proud of you too.”
There was nothing to be proud of, if you asked me.
As if she could read my mind, she responded to my thought. “You raised those boys on your own. They all turned out great, so you must have done something right. You carried on even when it was difficult. Not many people would have been as strong as you.”
“You’re too kind.” The only thing that kept me going was my boys. If I hadn’t had them, I wasn’t sure how I would have made it through that difficult time. Even today, they acted as my crutch.
“I’m being sincere, Vincent. You shouldn’t be too hard on yourself.”
“Even after what I did to Brett?”
She shook her head. “Everyone behaves differently when it comes to grief. You can’t judge someone when you’ve never known that kind of pain. Loss turns you into a different person. It affects each of us differently, just as medication affects everyone else differently. You really shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. I know your wife wouldn’t want you to.”
“You think so?” I whispered.
“I know so.”
“How?” I’d always wanted Isabella’s approval, but I wouldn’t get it until my time had come.
“Because she loved you.”
14
Thorn
I talked with a few people and made my appearance at the fashion party. As time went on and I was in the public eye more, fewer people saw me as the man who was engaged to Tatum Titan—and then dumped by Tatum Titan.
People were starting to see me as Thorn Cutler again—just a man.
I had a few drinks, shared a few laughs, and then spotted Vincent Hunt across the room. He wore a midnight black suit with a matching tie. Thick like a bull, he stood out against the crowd.
And Autumn was with him.
I didn’t know what the two had in common, but judging by the fact that Connor Suede was standing with them, he must be the missing piece. Vincent had done some modeling for Connor, and so had I. Maybe Autumn did too.
My eyes grazed over her body, seeing the luscious curves in the champagne pink dress she wore. It was an exceptional color on her slightly darker skin. Against her black hair, the color popped even more.
I set my drink aside and joined their conversation, my eyes trained on Autumn.
Vincent noticed me first. “How are you, Thorn?” He shook my hand.
“I’m well. You?”
“Great.” He gave me a polite smile before he turned to Connor. “Connor was just telling us about a new line of shoes he’s been working on.”
“Thorn Cutler.” Connor shook my hand. “A man who always looks good in a suit.”
I nodded. “Nice to see you again.” Before I had a chance to greet Autumn, Connor took the lead.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and looked down at her, more than just professional affection in his eyes. “Let me introduce you to my next star, Autumn Alexander.”
She smiled up at him, obviously comfortable with the way he touched her.
My smile disappeared.
“Ms. Alexander is going to be wearing some pieces for me,” Connor continued. “I know she’ll add a spark to every photograph.” He was dressed in a gray V-neck sweater with black slacks. He had a tight and rigid body, and he had good looks that could get him out of any kind of trouble.
I didn’t like him.
Titan told me details about her physical encounters with him. He was an intense man, and he knew how to handle a woman in the bedroom. She’d been attracted to his confidence and his skill.
I really didn’t like him.
“Autumn and I are well acquainted.” I wasn’t thinking clearly because my temper had been ignited. The possessive way he handled her dug deep under my skin. He was staking a claim right in front of me. He was a flirtatious man because he worked with women all the time. He knew he was handsome, rich, and talented. My arm circled her waist, forced his to move, and I pulled her into my side for a one-armed hug. “We’re going to be working together very soon.”
Autumn maintained her composure, but she flashed a slightly alarmed look in my direction.
“You are?” Vincent didn’t hide his surprise, knowing I was covering Titan’s businesses in addition to my own.
“Yes, Titan as well. It’ll be a great partnership.” I should drop my arm from her waist because the physical contact shouldn’t linger for so long, but I wanted that asshole to keep his hands off her. Before this incident, I’d liked Connor. But now I despised him for some reason.
Autumn gently stepped away from
