Theirs to Corrupt (Titans Captivated #5)

Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

Tessa

“Ladies and gentlemen!”

Holding hands, my husbands and I have just entered the cocktail party, and we pause inside the wide-open double doors.

I’m stunned to see internet billionaire sensation Jaxon Mills on a small stage, acting as our emcee and at least double the number of people who attended the ceremony.

“Smile,” Link coaches.

“Please welcome Link Merritt, Pax Gallagher, and their beautiful bride, Tessa Merritt!”

On either side of me, my husbands raise my hands, and our guests turn to cheer and clap.

For someone who has tried to hide for so long, being seen like this is still surreal.

From in front of us, Marcella repeatedly snaps the shutter on her camera, just like she had when we emerged from the bridal room a few minutes ago.

My hair is a mess, with curls framing my cheeks and several cascading down my back. It must be obvious what the three of us were up to while people were waiting.

But I don’t have a moment to think about that.

Finally they allow me to lower my arms.

“Show time,” Link says.

“We’ll stay with you,” Pax promises.

Good thing. I’m not sure I could navigate this without them.

The reception line should have helped me remember who people are, but I’m drowning in a sea of names and faces.

Maybe that shouldn’t surprise me. After what my husbands just did to me, I can barely recall who I am.

The first people we make our way toward are Lorenzo and Zara.

Obviously Link is strategic with the way we’re greeting people.

As we approach, Lorenzo raises his champagne flute in greeting. Zara is sipping what appears to be soda water with lime. Which makes sense as I recall Link asking how their baby daughter is doing.

Zara hugs me. “You’ve got your hands full with this pair.”

Link shrugs in agreement.

Lorenzo shakes hands with my men, then acknowledges me.

“Thank you for coming,” Link says beside me, his voice warm with genuine affection. “Zara, we’re delighted you could get away.”

“We’re so happy to have shared your celebration,” Zara says. “Forgive us if we don’t stay much longer.”

“Gabriella’s waiting for us at home. This is one of Zara’s first outings.”

With a laugh, she looks at her husband. “You should see this one with her,” she says, nudging Lorenzo playfully. He responds by sliding his arm around her waist and easing her closer. “Gabriella has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. It’s adorable.”

Lorenzo doesn’t even try to deny it.

This formidable man lights up at the mere mention of his daughter.

“What can I say? I’m powerless against her beautiful eyes. Reminds me of my principessa.” He smiles at Zara. Then he returns his attention to us. “Your guests are waiting.

“I hope to spend more time with you in the future,” I tell Zara, and I mean it. She’s warm and inviting.

“If you are in Las Vegas long enough, I’d love to have you come and meet Gabriella.”

I look to Link. “I’d like that.”

Gently Link’s hand returns to my back, and he guides me toward three men who are standing in a circle.

As we approach the trio, their conversation halts. They part to allow us space to join them, and their attention turns to us.

Even though I technically met all of them immediately after the ceremony, I really don’t know who they are. Maybe because of that—or maybe because of the fog still shrouding me—I can’t recall names.

They shake hands with my husbands and offer their congratulations before Link once more places his hand on my back, a comforting presence as I face these powerful figures.

Then he more formally introduces me.

“Altair Montgomery,” Link says.

Even in the warm glow of the reception lighting, there’s something powerfully otherworldly about him and the depth of his gaze. His handshake is firm but cool.

“Charmed, Mrs. Merritt,” he says, his voice smooth as silk and compelling as any I’ve ever heard. His eyes are dark, fathomless. “Your ceremony was delightful.”

“Thank you. But I can’t take credit. Link planned most of it.”

“Indeed?” Altair asks.

“Altair owns the Retreat.” After a short pause, Link goes on. “A BDSM club in downtown Houston.”

Unable to respond, I blink.

BDSM?

My mind spins back to Link’s pseudothreat to spank me. I’d told myself he must have been kidding.

But what if he wasn’t?

No doubt he’s attended in the past.

But will he want to go in the future? With me?

Butterflies—nerves unlike any I’ve ever experienced—dance through me.

Next I’m reintroduced to Dorian Vale. His billion-dollar smile is disarming, but there’s a calculated gleam in his eyes that speaks of ambition beyond mere wealth.

“Tessa, it’s a pleasure to spend more than fifteen seconds with you.” In contrast to Altair, his handshake is warm but very firm, radiating power. “I see why you enchanted the notorious Lincoln.”

He releases me, the gemstones in his ring flash, and I take a second look.

If I’m not mistaken, the design on the front is an owl, and the stones for its eyes are emeralds. According to Scandalicious, that’s the symbol of the Zeta Society whose members are known as Titans.

A coincidence?

“Your husband is the only man I know who is more cutthroat than Vale,” Altair tells me.

Dorian flashes a lethal smile, a predator’s warning poorly disguised as charm.

Link introduces Brennan West, who I am sure did not come through the receiving line.

The man exudes an air of barely leashed danger. A jagged scar runs from his left temple to his jaw. But it’s his eyes that truly unsettle me—steel gray and penetrating, as if he can see right through me to every secret I’ve ever kept.

Though he’s not at all like the man my brother tried to sell me to, he terrifies me just the same.

“Mrs. Merritt,” he says, his voice a low growl that sends goose bumps racing across my skin. When he takes my hand, I have to resist the urge to pull away. His grip is neither too tight nor lingering, but I’m glad when he releases me.

“Brennan’s been instrumental in some of our more…delicate business matters,” Pax explains.

Pax is menacing enough. I can’t imagine a situation where they’d need to call on someone even more cutthroat.

I force a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. West.”

“Brennan,” he corrects. “I don’t stand on formality.”

“I’m glad you joined us,” Altair says. “I’m trying to convince Vale to run for governor or the senate.”

It takes no imagination to picture Dorian in such a position of power. He wears authority as easily as his impeccably tailored suit.

“That’ll cost tens of millions of dollars,” Pax muses.

Altair nods. “He can self-fund.”

“Always an advantage,” Link adds, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp.

“There are many of us poised to contribute,” Altair states.

These men, this inner circle, wield influence far beyond what I’d imagined. How can it be possible this kind of conversation is happening at my wedding reception?

“There are…issues in my past.”

“That’s what fixers are for,” Altair counters, and my gaze is drawn back to Brennan, who has responded with a nod.

I wonder just how many secrets this man has buried.

A server passes, and Link asks if I would like a drink.

I nod, grateful for something to occupy my hands.

“I’m happy to set up a meeting with Everett Parker,” Link offers. “Worth at least considering. Let him vet you.”

Dorian doesn’t respond.

Into the silence, Altair says, “I’ll be hosting an event at the end of October. I’ll send an invite.” Altair’s gaze slides back to me. “Be sure to bring your wife.”

The way he says it—a command, not a request—makes me once more acutely aware of the world I’ve married into.

I look at Link.

Will he comply with Altair’s wishes?