Chapter Fifty
Max
Two weekends later, a charcoal grill is delivered. Rhys looks at it taking up space in the backyard, then nods with satisfaction.
“It’s the size of a pickup truck,” I say. “Are you inviting everyone from the firm?”
He shudders. “Perish the thought. It’s just for two of us and, of course, my brothers. Barbecue parties are more fun with more people. And I’ve got to show Liam I’m capable of cooking.”
“What did he do?”
“He always acts like I’m going to kill myself if I try to cook something.” Rhys presses his lips together.
I shake my head, trying not to laugh. To be honest, I can’t imagine Rhys cooking either, but I don’t want to hurt his feelings. “Well, that wasn’t nice of him.” I manage a censorious tone.
“Right? I might just give him the bad burger if I mess one up.” Rhys starts the grill.
I watch him for a moment. I’m still unsure what’s gotten into him, but whatever. Worst case, he whips up something inedible and we’ll have to eat out.
Within half an hour, the brothers start to arrive. A vague concern crosses Gideon’s face as he studies the grill. “We’ve never had a gathering that involved food here,” he says.
“Silas brought the coleslaw and sides, so maybe it’ll almost be like one of his parties,” Liam says, pasting on a smile that’s more pained than happy.
“This grill is the star,” Rhys says.
Gideon still stares at the patties dubiously. “Can’t decide if I should be nervous or—”
Xavier slaps his shoulder. “You have life insurance. You’ll be fine.”
“Children, behave,” Rhys says. “I have studied under a master.”
“Really?” Roarke couldn’t sound more skeptical.
“Yes, it was just like The Karate Kid, except with a hamburger and grill. See these?” Rhys rolls up the sleeves and shows his well-defined forearms. A couple of long burn scars discolor the skin.
Roarke blinks. “How did you get those?”
“Battle scars. Make me manlier, don’t they?” Rhys waggles his eyebrows.
Even though he makes light of it, they had to hurt. “Is this really worth it?” I ask softly.
“Of course. I’m about to make a cheeseburger that’ll melt your heart.”
I kiss his cheek. “You don’t need a cheeseburger to do that.”
After kissing me back, he places the patties on the grill and the scent of sizzling meat fills the air.
“If it tastes as good as it smells, we should be fine,” Silas says.
Xavier hands me a glass of orange juice. “For the baby.”
“How did you know?” I ask.
The brothers glance at Rhys. “He wanted to know why a woman would say they were pregnant but wouldn’t want him to do the right thing, so we pieced it together,” Xavier explains.
I flush. “I probably didn’t explain what I meant clearly. I was riding high on emotion.”
“Understandable,” Rhys says.
“I didn’t want him to stay just for the baby. I love this baby more than anything—and at that time it was my only family. I wanted it to be surrounded by people who truly loved it.”
“Not your only family anymore,” Rhys says, jerking his chin at my belly. “You have me. And these guys.” He gestures at the brothers.
“Exactly.” Finn looks at me. “You let me know if Rhys ever makes you unhappy. I’ll kick his ass for you.”
“That’ll never happen,” Rhys says. “One, you can’t kick my ass. And two, I’ll never do anything to upset her.”
“I already ordered a doghouse, but don’t worry,” Liam says. “The roof is diamond encrusted. So everyone’ll know some really rich guy messed up.”
We all laugh. At the same time, tears gather in my eyes as I look at Rhys, then his brothers, who are taking me into their fold and showing me such support and care.
After Mom passed away, I felt so alone, but had to grit my teeth and keep on going because I wasn’t going to let Trevor—and others who wanted to see me stumble and fall—win.
If somebody had said that within five years, I’d gain an amazing fiancé and six brothers, I’d have scoffed and run them off, thinking they were trying to scam me.
The doorbell rings. I look at Rhys. “Did you invite somebody else?”
He frowns. “No.”
We head to the intercom. The screen shows…Sorcha?
“What’s she doing here?” Gideon hisses.
Rhys shrugs helplessly. “Dunno. She never visits.”
“Open the door before she runs out of patience and decides to sue,” Roarke says, looking worried. I’m the closest, so I open it.
Sorcha blinks as she takes everybody in. “I didn’t realize there would be so many people.”
“It’s the weekend. We’re just hanging out,” Xavier says.
Her icy-blue eyes scan around the space. “I suppose it’s more wholesome than whoring.” She turns to me. “I’m here to speak to you.”
I stiffen. Given that she’s never said anything nice to me, this isn’t going to be pleasant. I mentally gird myself for a battle.
Rhys steps forward. “If you have something to say, say it in front of me.”
Her eyebrows pull together. “This doesn’t concern you.”
“Yes, it does. She’s the woman I’m going to marry.”
Sorcha glares up at him. Although she’s a head shorter, she doesn’t look small as she straightens her back and narrows her eyes. He merely cocks an eyebrow and stands there.
Finally, she lets out a dramatic sigh. “Very well. I suppose you can stay.” She turns to me.
“After your visit to my garden, I’ve given your…
status quite a bit of thought. Selena asked me to invite you over because she planned to show me how flighty you were, that you’d crack under the slightest pressure.
I thought she’d convince you of the merits of leaving my grandson.
Instead…” She shakes her head, her mouth tight.
“She only demonstrated that you aren’t the type to lose composure.
You gave Rhys not just your trust, but you demolished her with logic and… a certain flair. That’s commendable.”
I blink a few times, trying to process. “Did you just…compliment me?”
“I did.”
“Wow.” My brain freezes. “Thank you?”
“‘Thank you’ is most often a statement, not a question.”
“Does this mean you won’t be asking me to marry one of the women from the list?” Rhys asks.
“It does.”
“Yes!”
I smile at his contagious enthusiasm. It’ll be good to have her off his back.
Sorcha lifts her head slightly, testing the air. “Is something burning? Shouldn’t somebody go check it?”
“Crap!” Rhys dashes to the yard. His brothers follow.
Sorcha and I linger behind.
“I wasn’t sure when I first saw you. You seemed like Marie.”
I pause for a second. “You mean Auric’s assistant? That Marie?”
Sorcha nods. “Yes. Pretty, does her job—minimally well—rather vapid. But you proved me wrong.” Her eyes go to the men outside. “Rhys needs a loyal woman. So much the better if she can cut down his enemies with poise and grace.”
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. You earned it.”
Is that a glimmer of approval in her eyes? Hard to tell. Still, she’s making an effort to be nice, and I want to get along for Rhys’s sake. “Will you join us for the barbecue?”
“No. Cedric and I have a luncheon date. I’ll show myself out. Go enjoy your time with him.” She starts to walk toward the door, then stops and turns around. “And Max?”
“Yes?”
“You may call me Grandmother.”
A kernel of warmth unfurls. Coming from her, this is probably the equivalent of a bear hug. “Thank you. Grandmother.”
She gives me a nod, then turns and leaves.
I head out to the yard. The patties are almost done, cheese melting. Rhys puts together a cheeseburger—the first one—with ketchup, tomato and pickles and hands it to me. “Here you go.” He smiles, his eyes on mine, as though my opinion is the most important.
“Thanks.” I give the burger a mock-serious inspection.
“Looks good…smells good… Let’s see how it tastes.
” I take a bite. The juicy, meaty flavor fills my mouth.
I give him a thumbs-up and continue to chew.
Then stop when the savory aftertaste hits.
It’s the same flavor as Mom’s. I take another bite, just to make sure I didn’t imagine it.
How?
I swallow. “This tastes just like one of Mom’s cheeseburgers,” I whisper.
Rhys grins, a hand over his chest with relief.
“I’m glad.” He puts the hand on my shoulder.
“Look…when I was out of town two weeks ago…I went to New Hampshire to see your aunt. I wanted to ask if she knew your mother’s recipe and the secret ingredient.
I should’ve told you—I heard from Angelo you were unhappy about it—but I just…
didn’t want to get your hopes up in case it didn’t work out. ”
“New Hampshire? I had no idea.” He never, ever takes time off unless he absolutely has to—because the market’s closed and nobody else is working.
I can’t believe he took a week out of his jam-packed schedule to visit my aunt.
And how did he manage to convince her to help him?
Nothing moves her. She barely shed a tear at Mom’s funeral.
My vision blurs.
“Hey.” Rhys swipes a thumb over my cheek.
I sniffle…then realize I’m crying.
“That bad?” he teases a little.
“No!” I laugh through the tears. “It’s amazing! Nobody ever loved me like you do.”
He takes my plate and puts it aside. He holds both my hands, then peers at me with a helpless smile. “This isn’t how I planned it, but…it feels like the right time.”
I cry harder.
Still holding my hands, he drops to one knee.
“Max Norman, will you marry me—do me the honor of becoming my wife? You’ve become the anchor in my heart, the light that guides me.
You’ve given me the precious gift of your trust. You make me want to strive to be the best I can be, to be worthy of you.
I want to be your family, your shield. I want to love you and protect you as long as I live. ”
These tears will never stop. I wrap my arms around him. “Yes! A billion times yes!”
The brothers clap and cheer. With a brilliant smile, he slides a ring on my finger. The huge princess-cut diamond sparkles—a good omen for our future.
Rhys starts to lower his head to kiss me.
“What’s the secret ingredient?” Silas calls out, as though he can’t wait anymore.
“Fish sauce!” Rhys says, then crushes his mouth over mine.