THE TYCOON'S REBEL BRIDE(36)

she’s going out with. Under no circumstances are they to be left alone.”

“Yes, sir,” Reynolds replied.

Theron hung up the phone, his lips compressed into a tight line. Was she just

trying to drive him insane? She had to know he wouldn’t approve of her spending time

with Marcus after what had happened the previous night.

And maybe she could care less what he approved of. She hadn’t exactly paid him

any heed in any other area.

He leaned back in his chair and opened his desk drawer, reaching for the small

black box that nestled in the corner. His fingers touched it, and then he picked it up and

opened it.

The diamond ring sparkled in the light as he studied it. Tonight he’d put it on

Alannis’s finger. So why wasn’t he more enthused? Why wasn’t he looking forward to

his future?

This time next year he could even have a child, a family. He’d be settled. And yet

he felt decidedly unsettled about her—about everything.

His intercom buzzed again, and Madeline announced that he had another

important call. She cut the connection before he could ask who. Shaking his head, he

picked up the phone.

“Have you lost your damn mind?” Piers’s demand made Theron frown.

“Give him a chance,” Chrysander said dryly. “Then we’ll ascertain whether he’s

lost his sanity.”

“You told Madeline not to tell me it was you two calling, didn’t you?” Theron

accused.

“Damn right,” Piers said. “You wouldn’t have answered if you’d known.

Coward.”

“There’s nothing to say I won’t hang up,” Theron said idly.

“Your sister-in-law wants to know why you didn’t tell her you were thinking of

getting married,” Chrysander said.

Theron winced. “It’s not fair of you to use Marley to make me feel guilty, and you

know it.”

“What are you doing?” Piers asked impatiently, cutting through the banter. “What

could you possibly be thinking?”

“What our brother is trying to say is that we were caught by surprise, and we’d

like to offer you our congratulations, just as soon as we understand why we’re only just

now finding out,” Chrysander said diplomatically.

Piers made a rude noise. “Not me. If he tells me he’s really doing this, I can only

offer my condolences.”

“What’s wrong with me getting married?” Theron asked, surprised by Piers’s

reaction.

“Besides the fact that I think anyone willingly entering the institution of

matrimony has a few screws loose, there is the fact that you’re marrying Alannis

Gianopolous. She’s so wrong for you,” Piers said bluntly.

Theron frowned. “Alannis is a perfectly acceptable choice.”

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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE

51

MAYA BANKS

SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944

THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS

There was a long silence, and then Chrysander cleared his throat. “Acceptable

choice? That’s an odd way of putting it.”

“I’m more interested as to why you believe she’s so wrong for me,” Theron said,

ignoring Chrysander’s remark.

“Hell, Theron, apart from the fact that her father has been angling for her to marry

one of us for years, she’s…she’s…”

“She’s what?” Theron cut in.

“Just tell us why the sudden urge to get married,” Chrysander said calmly. “And

why you felt the need to include such momentous news in an e-mail.”

“Probably because of the reaction I’m getting now,” Theron said pointedly.

“Since when did you become so worried about what we thought?” Piers asked.

“Does anyone find it ironic that not so long ago, it was me and Piers having this

talk with Chrysander about Marley? We were wrong about her, and you two are wrong

about Alannis.”

Chrysander sighed, and Theron knew he had him. What could he say when it was

the truth? Theron and Piers had been quite vocal in their opposition of Marley. They’d

also been dead wrong.

“Just be sure this is what you want,” Chrysander said in resignation. “And keep us

apprised of your plans. Marley will want to make it for the wedding.”

Piers wasn’t quite so ready to throw in the towel. “Think about what you’re doing,

Theron. This is the rest of your life you’re talking about here.”

“I appreciate your concern,” Theron said dryly. “I am capable of making my own

decisions.”

“Tell me how things are going with Isabella,” Chrysander broke in, an obvious