Free Shattered by Love by Dani René

details, but that was five years ago. I am sure she’s over it now.”
    It feels as if he’d taken a glass of ice water and injected it into my veins. She knows about what her father did, but she never contacted me. Lucien’s words slice through me. Did she ever love me? If she did why didn’t she come find me?
    Inhaling a steadying breath, I glance at Cole and question again. “So she hasn’t spoken to her parents since the guy left?” He shrugs nonchalantly, and it takes all my restraint not to shake the information from him.
    “She moved out. Packed her bags and never returned to the house. Lacey talks to her occasionally, but Ivy lives alone in Chicago now. But I guess this weekend will prove to be eye opening since she’ll be at the wedding.”
    Nodding, I turn my attention to the buildings we pass by. We pull up outside Hotel Mazarin and the driver gets out. “Here we are, we will stay in the hotel and the wedding will be held in their courtyard. Its exquisite and the handful of photographers will be able to take photos from the balconies. You my friend, will be front and center.” The smile on his face tells me that marrying Lacey is something he will gladly do, but why? Of course, its because of his family.
    “Great. This shouldn’t be too difficult.” With a smirk, I get out of the car and make my way toward the entrance. The hotel is only a few minutes walk away from Royal Street and I can hear the jazz music drifting towards us. “Are we all staying in the same hotel?”
    “Yes, we’ve booked out the whole place for friends and family. Your room looks out onto courtyard and the French Quarter.” Nodding, I walk into the reception and up to the counter.
    As soon as I am checked in, Cole tells me he’ll let me settle in and we can take a walk around after. Once I reach my room, I flop onto the bed. She’s not here yet, I would have known. Pulling out my phone, I scroll to the number I want and hit dial.
    “Jayce?” Kenna’s voice is soft, weary, and I would love to convince her of what I know in my heart to be true.
    “Hey, I met Cole.” Her breath hitches because she still loves him. It’s obvious.
    “And?”
    “He’s okay. Not a bad guy, but something tells me he’s not happy.”
    “And you could tell this all by one conversation with him?” Her tone is unconvinced and I understand why. It’s normally difficult to tell what someone is really feeling, unless you know them, but I could look into someone’s eyes and pick up their feelings immediately. There was no doubt in my mind that Cole Ashford wasn’t in this for love.
    “Yes, I can. He said a few things that made me think this isn’t his idea and he’s not in love with her. He mentioned something about this being for their family business.”
    “It doesn’t matter what he’s doing Jayce, he’s marrying her. There’s nothing that can stop that. Will I see you later? I am arriving at about ten thirty.”
    “Yeah, there’s something I need to tell you though. I know his fiancée.”
    “Oh god, Jay, did you fuck her?” She groans.
    I chuckle at her question. “No, she’s… I mean, her sister. Fuck…” I don’t know how to tell her, to explain that I would see Ivy this weekend. The only woman who could bring me to my knees. A woman that could piece my heart together or shatter it completely, all over again.
    “It’s your ex isn’t it?” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I nod. “Jay?”
    “Yes.” She’s quiet for a long while, then I hear her soft sigh. It’s a sad, melancholy sound and I wish I could tell her it doesn’t matter, but I can’t. I can’t tell her I will be her date for the wedding like we originally planned, it will be a lie. So I say nothing at all.
    “I have to go. See you tonight.” Her voice is a whisper, then she’s gone. How is it that this whole fuck up will take its toll on both me and Ken? She doesn’t deserve the pain, but neither do I. The need to punch something is rife, but