Prologue

On any given day, Julian Grayson considered himself to be a big fan of music. Any music.

Not today.

Right now, the strains of classical harp music were grating on his last nerve and it took every ounce of strength he had not to scream out to stop.

He chuckled softly to himself at the image. After all, how would it look if the groom threw a fit while standing at the altar as he waited for his bride? The lighted garden of the Hotel Bel-Air was set up for their evening nuptials, and Julian felt it was only right that he refrain from doing anything to upset his guests or his bride.

Another laugh—only this was mirthless.

His bride. Right. Dena was many things, but his seemed the least fitting. It was an odd thing to be going through his mind on his wedding day, but there it was.

Standing to his left were his four closest friends—bandmates Riley Shaughnessy, Matt Reed, Dylan Anders, and their manager, Mick Tyler. Julian had hit the jackpot where these guys were concerned. Not only were they a tight unit with Shaughnessy, but he genuinely liked them and knew—no matter what—each of them would have his back.

“You sure about this?” Riley asked from beside him. “It’s not too late to back out.”

Julian’s back instantly stiffened. To any onlooker, they were five smiling men facing the front of the garden where the bride would appear at any moment. The road to the altar had been rocky, to say the least, and the guys all knew it. He wasn’t proud of it and he knew most people wouldn’t understand why he’d stuck it out for so long or put up with so much.

Honestly, neither did he.

“Jules,” Riley murmured without breaking his smile or turning his head. “I’m serious. Say the word and—”

“I’m good,” Julian said quietly but firmly. He knew exactly what to say and how to say it to make sure people didn’t argue with him. Between the tone and his six-foot-two frame, people knew better.

Looking around the garden, he had to admit he was impressed. It felt intimate and yet there were two hundred and fifty people sitting and smiling at him.

Dena had insisted on booking this space and the staff had been beyond accommodating. No one had batted an eye at any of their requests—which came in the form of menu changes, lighting suggestions, and privacy clauses.

And then there was today’s last-minute addition.

Julian had to hide a satisfied smirk. He wasn’t a man who left anything to chance and he almost never did things on the spur of the moment.

But today he had.

And he couldn’t wait to see the look on Dena’s face when he surprised her.

The ceremony was set to begin and as the music changed to the “Wedding March,” Julian straightened and turned his head briefly to look at his buddies. They all thought he was crazy—had told him so on numerous occasions—and yet they all stood beside him to support him.

Mick caught his eye and gave the barest of nods and for some reason, that small gesture calmed Julian’s last-minute nerves.

Everyone stood and turned to watch Dena float down the aisle on her father’s arm. She looked beautiful—like an angel in miles of white satin and lace. Her blond hair was long and curled, and even from where he was standing, Julian could see her signature pink-glossed lips. She caught his eye and gave him a beautiful smile, her blue eyes gleaming.

She was everything.

She was perfect.

She was…he couldn’t find the words.

Swallowing hard, Julian moved to take her arm as she stepped up beside him. They waited for her father to take his seat before facing the minister, who smiled serenely at them.

“Dearly beloved,” he began, “we are gathered here today to witness the union of Julian and Dena in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate. It is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly.” He paused and looked at Julian. “It is my understanding you have a special presentation for the bride that you would like to make before we begin, is that correct?”

Julian forced himself not to turn and look at Dena even as he heard her soft gasp. She didn’t like surprises. She had orchestrated and planned every detail of this wedding down to the second, and was probably more annoyed than curious at his messing with her schedule.

“That is correct,” Julian said.

With a curt nod, the minister stepped to the side as a large projection screen was revealed behind him. For a minute, Julian was seriously impressed with how the staff had disguised it behind strategically placed greenery and flowers.

“Julian,” Dena whispered with a hint of annoyance, but he simply removed her arm from his as he took a step to the side—close to Riley—and waited for the images to play on the screen.

The sound came on first and you could have heard a pin drop in the garden as the guests listened in stunned silence.

Heavy breathing.

“Oh, just like that.”

“You like that, don’t you, babe?”

“So much…you’re so good…so perfect…”

“Better than Julian, right?”

Female laughter.

“So much better…always so much better.”

An image finally appeared on the screen. It was a little dark, a little grainy, but not so much that you couldn’t see what was going on.

A couple in bed.

There wasn’t any chance of disputing who the woman was.

And the much younger guy was a studio technician who had worked on the last three Shaughnessy albums.

And was currently a guest at the wedding.

“Why are you marrying him, babe?”

She stopped moving and smiled at him, stroking his cheek. “Because he’s Julian Grayson and he’s rich,” she said simply. “And I want to be rich.”

“I’m rich.”

“No, your father is rich,” she corrected. “You’re just living off his name.”

“Isn’t that what you’ll be doing with Grayson? And besides, money isn’t everything.”

“Oh, please. Yes it is,” she snapped. “And don’t worry, you’ll be able to enjoy it too after I’m married. Julian gives me whatever I want no matter what I do.”

“That’s just cold, Dena. Even for you.”

She shrugged and went back to moving with her lover. “Agree to disagree. I want it all and I want Julian to give it to me.”

The screen went black and Julian finally allowed himself to look at his bride. He forced a smile and willed himself not to fall for the shocked look on her face.

How many times had her tears worn him down? How many times had he believed she was sorry for the things she’d done?

“You want it all, sweetheart?” he asked as he took a menacing step closer. “I guess you’ll get it from your latest fling.”

Turning, he looked at his buddies, who were all trying to hide their own shock and amusement. Only Mick looked serious. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled something out and tossed it to Julian. “Everything’s out front,” he said.

Nodding, Julian grabbed the keys Mick had thrown and stalked up the aisle as chaos broke out in his wake.