Gregory said. “He warned the boy years ago—”
“He what?” she gasped, both shocked and horrified. “Did he try to buy off Cooper, too?”
The lawyer shook his head. “He just pointed out to him that you were out of his league.”
She would like to believe that her grandfather wouldn’t have done such a humiliating thing to her and Cooper, but she knew better. The old man had enjoyed humiliating and manipulating people, especially his own family.
“You still are out of his league, Tanya,” Mr. Gregory continued. “The only reason you’re marrying him is because your real groom conveniently disappeared.”
Remembering all that spattered blood, she flinched. “There was nothing convenient about Stephen’s disappearance.” Terrifying? Yes. Convenient? No.
“It is convenient for Cooper Payne since he’s stepping in as your groom. I can’t believe that his mother managed to obtain a marriage license at such short notice.”
Neither could Tanya, but Mrs. Payne was definitely a full-service wedding planner. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for a bride.
It wasn’t awe in the lawyer’s voice, though. It was suspicion. Tanya narrowed her eyes and glared at Mr. Gregory. “If you’re implying that the Paynes are responsible for what happened to Stephen, you’re dead wrong.”
“This is why your grandfather put the stipulation on your inheritance,” the lawyer said cynically, “because you tend to be too naive and trusting.”
She laughed. No one had ever accused her of being either of those things. “Grandfather didn’t know me.” Because he’d never made the effort. “And neither do you. Moreover, you don’t know the Paynes at all. They are known for their honor and protectiveness. They would never harm anyone.”
“You think that is still true of Cooper?” he asked her. “He’s been to war. You don’t know how that can change a man. He isn’t the boy you remember.”
Tanya had thought so, too, but then she had seen glimpses of that boy—in his camaraderie with his family and his concern for her and Stephen. And in his kiss...
“Why would Cooper hurt Stephen?” she asked.
“Jealousy,” he suggested. “Over you...”
“We were never anything but friends.” Because that was the way he’d wanted to keep it.
Mr. Gregory chuckled. “The kid mooned around after you. He had a major crush on you. That was why your grandfather told him to stay away from you.”
She’d thought he’d stopped coming to her house because he’d considered it a mausoleum. She hadn’t minded. She and Stephen had both liked it at his house better. The Payne household was warm and noisy and full of love.
“That was a long time ago,” Tanya reminded him.
The lawyer shrugged. “So maybe it’s about money now. He’s probably not making much working for his family. But marrying you...”
“You think Cooper is marrying me for my money?” She nearly laughed again since it was really the reverse. She was marrying him for her money. “That’s ridiculous.”
She’d overheard his argument with his family. The last thing he’d wanted to do was marry her.
“Then have him sign a prenup,” he suggested, and he patted his ever-present dark leather briefcase, “and prove that he has no interest in your inheritance.”
She shook her head. “I can’t ask him to do that...” Not when he was already making a sacrifice for her. Or, actually, for Stephen. He had only agreed to marry her in case someone demanded a ransom for his return.
He hadn’t been missing a whole day yet. There was time. Time to bring him back safely from wherever he’d been taken.
“If you can’t ask him, I will,” Mr. Gregory offered as he turned for the door.
Tanya grabbed his briefcase to stop him. “No!”
The last thing she needed was her grandfather’s lawyer insulting Cooper as her grandfather must have all those years ago. Was that why he’d said they should just be friends? What would he have done if she’d disagreed with him?
Too many years had passed. The past was the past. She had to accept that she would never know now.
“You don’t trust him either,” the lawyer remarked. “You think he’s only marrying you for the money. Tanya, it’s not too late. You need to stop this wedding.”
She shook her head.
“Take a little time,” he urged her. “Think about it. You’ll realize you can’t marry a man that you can’t trust.”
It wasn’t Cooper that she wasn’t trusting at the moment. She opened the door for the lawyer to show him out. “I’d prefer to have Logan Payne walk me down the aisle,” she said, dismissing him.
“I wouldn’t walk you down the aisle to Cooper Payne anyway,” he told her. “Your grandfather would haunt me for certain.”
Maybe that was who was causing Tanya all her grief—her grandfather’s ghost. She wouldn’t put it past the old man to haunt her, especially if he had any idea what she’d intended to do with her inheritance.
But first she had to marry to inherit. She drew in a deep breath to brace herself before reaching for the zipper on the garment bag. As she pulled down the tab, bits of lace and satin fell onto the floor like those black petals from the dead roses.
Someone had hacked the heavy material into small pieces. How much hate did it take for someone to be so vindictive? So malicious?
Tears stung her eyes and she shuddered in dread.
The doorknob rattled. Maybe whoever had cut up her dress had returned to do the same to her.
His exit blocked, Cooper was trapped inside the blood-spattered groom’s quarters. The police had only just released the crime scene that morning. Cooper hoped they’d found something when they’d processed the room that would lead to whoever had taken Stephen. He wanted his friend safe and unharmed. But Stephen wasn’t his only concern...
“Get the hell out of my way,” he threatened, “or I’ll show you what I learned in the Marines—all the ways I learned how to hurt someone.”
“You wouldn’t hurt me,” Parker said, but a tiny flicker of doubt passed through his bright blue eyes. “I kept you safe last night.”
“I saved your life,” Cooper reminded him.
Parker shook his head. “I was talking about later.” A furrow formed in his brow. “Or was it earlier this morning? I stood watch so you could get some sleep.”
“You stood watch? On your back?” Cooper chuckled. “You kept me
