Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(101)

I raise my hands in the air to clap, and an explosion of whoops and cheers of appreciation break out.

She is loved in the hotel and will be sorely missed.

Embarrassed at the surprise long service award, she only says a few short words of thanks and leaves the stage.

I wrap the evening up with my thanks of appreciation, informing everyone to have a great night. As I’m about to say my final thanks, in front of everyone, I’m rudely interrupted by Tabitha.

“I would like to say something.”

Regardless of her shortcomings, her family is a huge part of Castleview, and Lincoln informed me we had to do the right thing by inviting her family and her. I reluctantly agreed.

In a hideous pink ruffle dress, she walks toward the stage. Regardless of how much that fucking designer dress costs, she looks like a neon blancmange—ugly and tasteless. Like her.

I fiddle with my speech notes.

All eyes are on her as she makes her way onto the stage. She sure knows how to make an entrance.

Dumbfounded, I lean down and over the mic, I say, “Eh, so not planned for. But apparently Tabitha here from MacEvoy Distillery would like to say something.”

A few people limply clap. Tabitha is not a well-liked woman in this town.

I cover the microphone with my hand. “Don’t fucking embarrass me.”

She sneers back. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. I think you are very good at doing that yourself.”

What the fuck is she playing at?

She takes her place, relishing in the limelight. “Thank you, Knox. Good evening, everyone. I actually don’t have much to say, and please forgive me if I stumble or go too fast; I’m not accustomed to talking to large crowds such as this.”

She clears her throat. “First of all, I would like to say a huge congratulations to the Black family this evening on the sixty-year milestone. You are catching up with us at MacEvoy Distillery. As you are all aware, Knox and his family play a key role in this community. Upholding standards, donating to charities, they are a huge part of putting Castleview Cove on the map.”

Oh, thank God. My shoulders sigh with relief. She’s doing a congratulatory speech.

“Respect, trust, friendship, and reputation are the four values Knox ingrains through his staff training and the daily running of the hotel. Which is funny because those four values are something Knox has failed to live by himself of late. Isn’t that right, Knox?”

Oh, no, what is she doing?





CHAPTER 26





Knox

“Funny story. You see, the girl he dumped me for is also one of his best friend’s daughters, someone who is fourteen years younger than him. Knox Black is an unfaithful, disrespectful old pervert.” She pauses for effect. “Charlie Wallace, Knox Black is not your friend, because for the last few months, he’s been screwing your daughter. Sneaking around behind your back. Isn’t that correct, Eva? And I have the evidence right here.” Tabitha holds up our photo booth strip.

Oh.

My.

Fucking.

God.

Audible gasps of shock sound out across the room. The mutterings begin.

I leap forward and unplug the microphone.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

Tabitha sneers. “Payback. You used me. You’re a prick, Knox Black. You kicked me to the curb like I was a useless piece of meat.” She’s shouting now. “I loved you and you broke my heart. To go with her.” She points out into the sea of tables. I follow her finger and sure enough, she knows exactly where Eva is seated.

Oh fuck. Eva.

Open-mouthed, she stares at the stage, watching the drama and our secret unfold in front of everyone.

A brief look in Charlie’s direction, even from here, it’s as clear as day, his jaw is clenched, his veins pulsating in his temple.

I’m a dead man.

“She’s a child,” Tabitha roars.

Lincoln appears with two security guards. He wraps his arms around Tabitha’s waist. She continues to scream profanities at me. I can’t hear her ’cause the ringing in my ears is so loud. My heart is thumping in my chest and my pulse is banging in my temples. All I can do is stand here because I appear to have forgotten how to make words or move.

Legs and arms everywhere, Tabitha rips the photos up and throws them at me. Lincoln and the guards struggle to get her off the stage.

I watch the fragments of Eva and I drift to the floor, like leaves on an autumn day. Falling. Like my heart is doing.

How did she get the photos of us? I asked Eva to pick up the photos. Did she not?

In one last-ditch attempt to shame me, Tabitha screams at the top of her voice, “Good luck with your new whore. She’s the same age as your son.”

She’s not. Well, almost.

I drag my hand through my hair and look out into the crowd.

The staff at the back of the room are ushering everyone out into the foyer.

Lincoln appears back on the stage.

As if in slow motion, over the mic, he announces for everyone to make their way to the top-floor balcony for the fireworks display.

I can’t move. Can’t speak. Can’t do anything.

What the fuck just happened?

I watch everyone leave the room until it’s only me and Lincoln standing on the stage.

Eva’s family are still all seated around their table, and my mom and dad are seated like statues in their seats three tables away.