Chapter Fourteen
'POOR-GIRL-MEETS-RICH -boyfriend's-family' was a common trope in all of Tassy's favorite romance novels and TV shows, and memories of such scenes started playing in her mind as she took in the quiet opulence of her surroundings.
Iron-wrought gates were something she was used to seeing on the outside of a stately home, rather than on the inside , the way it was in Lucius' parents' home. If that wasn't proof enough of how insanely wealthy his family was, the doors also opened to a high-ceilinged dining hall that could comfortably accommodate a hundred guests, literally. And while the mix of massive timber beams and impressive river stone pillars bequeathed the room with a majestic atmosphere, what served as its most breathtaking centerpiece was a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and the circular window overhead that offered panoramic views of rolling pastures and thoroughbred horses slowly making their way back to the heated comfort of the stable while amber rays painted the skies as the sun started to set in the background.
Tassy couldn't shake off the feeling she had just married into the Asian-American version of Dynasty, but just as she braced herself for any signs of judgment, disapproval, and condescension from one of the country's wealthiest ranching clans—-
"Honeymoon still not over, I take it?"
The words of Lucius' youngest brother, underscored with lazy humor, had an instantaneous effect: Lucius' parents looked at them with fond smiles, his brothers smirked while Tassy could only turn red upon realizing her husband's family knew exactly what she and Lucius had been, um, busy with prior to showing up.
Her gaze flew to Lucius in dismay, but instead of sharing in her embarrassment and discomfort, Lucius only smiled in response, his coppery eyes gleaming with possessive satisfaction.
Aaargh!
The rest of the evening unfolded with good food, laughter, and relentless ribbing between the siblings and their stepsister. She had a feeling this was also deliberate on their part, with the family wanting Tassy to have the time to gradually relax in their presence.
His mother Joy was a picture of poise and grace, a tall, slim blonde who was soft-spoken but eloquent, and her coppery eyes either twinkling with merriment...or flashing with exasperation as she occasionally attempted to impose order on her not-so-orderly brood of children.
His stepfather, Alrich, on the other hand, reminded Tassy of a knight protecting his princess, albeit silver-haired and with a penchant for plaid shirts and jeans instead of the usual silver armor and shield. He had a certain calmness about him, appearing quietly content to simply watch over his family.
Tassy went on to study the rest of her husband's siblings, with her gaze falling first on twenty-one-year-old Raiden. He was the only biological offspring of Joy and Alrich, lived in his own apartment off campus, and while he did appear the most laidback among his brothers...why did it seem like he was hiding something?
Joy suggested that they move to the library for coffee, and while Lucius and Tassy stood up along with the rest, she was surprised to have her husband circle an arm around her waist to keep her from following out of the room.
When it was just the two of them, Lucius suddenly swung her off her feet, and she could only laugh in surprise as he suddenly had her perched on the sturdy back of one of the leather couches facing the fireplace.
"So...who are we trying to figure out next?"
A sheepish smile formed over her lips. "Was I that obvious?"
"You're a lamb in a den of lions—-"
"I never thought that," she protested.
"And that's why you're a silly little lamb."
Her mouth opened and closed. Why did that make sense for some reason?
Lucius gazed at his wife with a mixture of concern and amusement. It was still too damn easy to make his Tassina second-guess her own thoughts, but since he wouldn't have her any other way, it was best to change the subject instead.
"Why don't I start by filling you in?" Lucius suggested smoothly. "As you may have already noticed, we don't think of Alrich as our stepfather. He is our father, and he has been so from the very start."
Tassy couldn't help smiling. "I like that."
Of course she would, Lucius thought fondly.
"As for our mother, don't let her soft-spoken ways fool you. She has quite the temper—-"
"You have to be joking!" Tassy could only shake her head. Joy and 'temper' in one sentence? It was impossible to imagine.
"Raiden is Raiden," Lucius went on pensively, "and let's see...you had a long talk with Marius earlier, didn't you?"
"He asked mostly about my work."
"Figures. Marius has what we call the Midas touch in the family," Lucius explained. "We've learned early on to not ask any questions and simply take his advice, investments-wise."
"I got to talk to Icelle just a bit, too," Tassy shared.
"What did you think of her at first?"
"Composed?"
Lucius nodded. "She does have a resting bitch face."
Tassy choked. "I never—-"
"It's fine. Everyone thinks that of her the first time, and she knows it, too."
"I really didn't think—-"
Lucius' gaze bored through hers.
"Well, okay, I did think she was a bit reserved, " Tassy allowed, "but that's it!"
Lucius just had to bend his head and give his wife's lips a little nibble. He loved Icelle as if she were his full-blooded sister, but she had also only started living with them when she turned eighteen six years ago. It would take more time for Icelle to realize that with their family, there was no need to be perfect.
His gaze flicked back to his wife, and he was no longer surprised at how the mere sight of her had his chest clenching. Who would've ever thought it was possible for someone like him to still fall in love, and so obsessively at that?
"What about Arkane?" his wife was asking now. "Do you think he approves of me?"
He cupped her chin. "What a stupid question, wife."
Tassy could only sputter. Seriously. Was it so hard for Lucius to at least try—-
"I'm head over fucking heels in love with you."
—-being a lot less perfect?
Because if he kept this up, he only had himself to blame once she started clinging to him for real.
"And so not only does my family approve of you, my Tassina—-"
He guided her hands up his chest, and she blushed a little even as she took the hint and curved her hands over her husband's broad shoulders.
" But they're damn grateful because..."
Her heart skipped a beat as his gaze locked with his.
"You're the reason I've started living again."
"Oh, Lucius."
She just couldn't help herself at that point. She took the initiative for the first time, her hands cupping his gorgeous face as she drew his head down. But before their lips could even meet—-
"We should go."
W-What? W-Why? W-Where?
Tassy found herself struggling to keep up with her husband's long-legged stride again.
"I just remembered we have additional company joining us tonight."
Oh.
Okay.
Who?
A name popped into her mind, and Tassy nervously combed her hair in a futile attempt to improve her appearance. Benedict had told them earlier that his wife Lana wouldn't be able to join them, but maybe something had changed?
Tassy gnawed on her lip as she heard laughter ringing out from the library down the hall. Benedict might only be two years younger than Lucius at thirty-six, but the two brothers were different as day and night. Whereas Lucius had the proud and harsh features of a Roman general, Benedict, having inherited his mother's blond hair and the cerulean eyes of Danico Young, had always been likened by the media to an earth-bound angel.
Come to think of it, that was often the description used for Benedict and his wife. When they had married in a lavish society wedding five years ago, the media had called the couple a match made in heaven because of their identically ethereal appearances.
Back then, the two had looked so passionately in love, which was the opposite of how dispassionately Benedict sounded when talking about his wife earlier.
It made Tassy realize how things could change so drastically over time...just like her and Xylan.
Attuned as he was to his wife's mood at every level, Lucius sensed her sadness even before turning his gaze to her and seeing how the smile had faded from her lips.
"What's wrong?"
Tassy swallowed hard. She knew it was possible that she was simply making mountains out of molehills, and that Lucius wouldn't think it a big deal if he were to learn about Xylan only now. But what if it was the opposite?
"I know this isn't the right time to tell you, but..."
The double doors to the library suddenly opened, and the first thing that greeted her was a couple of familiar faces.
"Congratulations!"
Tassy couldn't believe her eyes. Was that... Stella? Oh, and was that Harry Montgomery and...and Summerine Harcourt? She turned to Lucius in confusion, and the gleam in his eyes told her this was why he had deliberately kept her in the dining room for so long.
Oh, Lucius!
Harry had a hard time blinking back tears as she watched Tassy throw herself into her husband's arms. It felt like a lifetime ago when she first worked with Tassy. Of all the travel agents she had talked to, Tassy had been the only one who hadn't insisted on making Harry spend a fortune. Only Tassy had cared to listen about how Harry wanted to surprise her husband with a birthday trip, and Tassy alone who hadn't made any crack about Harry once being Devon Montgomery's mail-order bride.
Summerine was also feeling pretty emotional as she watched the once-aloof Lucius Young gaze down at his wife with possessive tenderness. It was only months ago when she had this idea about planning a much-delayed honeymoon for her and Ryu, and Tassy had been the only one who proved trustworthy enough to keep all the details a secret. How wonderful that Tassy now ended up married to one of Ryu's closest friends.
Devon Montgomery and Ryu Harcourt joined Lucius for a drink while they watched their wives walk away talking about whatever it was that women liked to talk about.
"I didn't think I'd ever live to see this day," Devon drawled, "but here we are now. Welcome to the club, Mr. Young."
"I have to ask, though," Ryu slotted in. "Is the prick still alive?"
Lucius didn't miss a beat, asking, "Depends on how you define alive."
Both men smiled at this. It was exactly the answer they expected, considering how their shared dislike of Tassy's ex-boyfriend.
"Harry never liked him," Devon shared with a grimace. "And that's saying a lot, since my wife likes everyone."
"I'll do what I can to help when news of your marriage is made public," Ryu promised. "And like it or not, once the press figures out the timeline of your relationship, they'll milk it with all they've got."
"I can just picture the headlines," Lucius said.
Devon's lip curled. "They are a predictable lot."
"Billionaire Lucius Young: Rebound Husband," Ryu suggested with a sardonic twist of his lips. "Or something like that."
"Something like that indeed."
Lucius' smile didn't reach his eyes.
Damn her.
A rebound, dammit.
Damn her for making a fool out of him.