18 #3
“Oh, and what does Mr. Impressive have to do with all of this?”
Warning bells went off. “Right, so, about him, Jean. Um, don’t go there. Just don’t.”
She chuckled. “You’re actually adorable, little sister.
I won’t ask who you’re worried about because I’m pretty sure it’s not me but yes, I know he’s involved with your adopted sister.
I said as much and I know what it means when a man looks at a woman like that.
I can’t even imagine how the Reids are dealing with that. ”
I bristled but did remember her comment when she reminded me. “Fine. They adore her. I think they were—not my business, but Mrs. Reid and Tracey get along great. Mr. Reid told Taylor to go after Tracey and help her and not be stupid. They support whatever their new relationship is or—they’re fine.”
She was her Jean patient quiet again. “I didn’t give that family enough credit. They come off just as bad as most top-tier families. Mrs. Reid’s grandmother was from a top-tier family even if I remember correctly. So—whatever, I won’t go near him. What’s your idea?”
“He has contacts in the human world. You said you can’t sell anything because people are watching you in our world.
Smart. How many dozens of stupid vases do you have in storage that you could sell through a human broker?
Like who needs that many vases worth a lot?
Blame Charles, but have that money now to play the right hand with the family. ”
Wyatt gave me an impressed look and slowly nodded.
“It’s a smart plan, but to do it quietly takes time,” Jean muttered. “This Berns thing will unravel fast. Or to shut up our family, it will need to be fast.”
“Damn,” I sighed.
“I appreciate the help, but I have to ask what brought this up with everything else you have going on?” Jean hedged.
“They’re going to make a move,” I muttered.
“I feel it in my gut. Something about the kidnapping ploy and a council guard dying because—our story is good, but the uncles or older male cousins are going to start shit that it was because the women in charge were hysterical or some shit. There’s already too much going on that I can’t be head of the family—”
“Because you’re too gorgeous,” she drawled.
“Yes, young and have been seen in bikinis.
I have as well, so I shut that down. How ridiculous.
I named several heads of families that constantly post thirst traps while being mated.
I also said I knew the names of a few of their mistresses, so maybe focus on that instead of those of us single because there were others.
“Neal Wyatt, for one. Jason Berns, another, even if he won’t be for long.
Did you see Neal’s response? How can someone that gorgeous be that fucking ridiculous?
I hate him.” She’d had more than a few glasses of wine to admit that, and it was extra funny with the man’s brother right there with me.
“Yeah, I’m shaking. There was a reason Father never worried about the Wyatts. ”
“What?” I asked, staring at the Wyatt right in front of me… Who suddenly found the food in front of him interesting.
Jean snorted. “They’re not remotely in league with us magically, Bevin.
Not just because Father cheated. Neal is hot and smart but magically average.
Derek is a fluke in that family and why he was treated so horribly.
Why Neal beat him at every turn and his parents called him—I never heard them use his name. It was grotesque.
“Even Father would say so and treated Bryan with more respect to make his own way one day. They intentionally did whatever they could to make Derek look bad. But that family isn’t in our league magically and it’s all bluster.
That’s why Neal tried what he did. If he could get you and Derek back, it would have shot them up. ”
“Why does no one just work hard and try self-improvement?” I drawled.
“I did,” she reminded me.
That she had, but that was also a minefield given how she did and she’d used me to do it. So that was the right time to end the call.
It really was and she understood that as well, thanking me for the idea and promising to speak with Taylor and Tracey.
I ended the call and kept eating, making a few comments about what we were watching. The announcement from the council that it was Eunice who had died was heartbreaking. The list of his accomplishments and how beloved he was really going to hurt a lot of people.
“Thanks,” Wyatt said once we were done eating.
We’d been quiet so long that it actually made me flinch. Then what he said registered and I thought about it for a moment.
“Not everything needs to be talked about and especially when you’re already going through so much,” I said gently. “I’m just glad you’re more powerful than your brother so I don’t have to worry about him getting the jump on you or anything.”
“Or you.”
I snorted and gave him an amused look. “It’s never about me being the most powerful when I can do what I can do.” I frowned when his face went pale.
What had I said wrong now?