Chapter Thirty-Three
Olivia
Despite what I told Liam, I’m a little nervous about the brunch. It’s probably to test and gauge me. The brothers have to be curious about what kind of woman has led their sweet baby brother astray.
Normally I wouldn’t care, but I might need them on my side to serve justice properly.
Can’t have them saying anything that would give Hugh ammunition to question the validity of the marriage.
He’ll fight with everything he has if he gets even a whiff that this is a setup to take the trust away from him.
Be a loving wife and make Liam happy. Show them what they want to see.
I pick out my battle clothes with care. A sleeveless sheath dress in scarlet red and the matching shade of matte lipstick.
I pull up my hair and pin it with a long diamond stick and put on my mother’s heirloom diamond studs.
Nothing on my neck or my wrists, to maximize the effect of the Rubedo and the new pavé ring.
“We need to stop by a store and get something,” I say to Liam, who’s been watching me for the last twenty minutes. He just put on a shirt and slacks, but he looks great no matter what he’s in.
“For what?”
“For your brother. Can’t show up at his house empty-handed.”
“Nobody brings a gift to her own birthday brunch,” Liam says, a corner of his mouth quirking.
I purse my lips. Guess it hasn’t occurred to him that they could be testing me. He’s too sweet a person to believe his brothers could have any other motive. His bright eyes win. I exhale and stiffen my spine. “Your brothers might not like me.”
“Because you didn’t bring a gift?”
“Maybe.” I don’t want to talk about my selfish motive for marrying him and ruin the moment.
“Silas isn’t expecting a music box, if that’s what you mean.” Liam gets off the bed and hugs me from behind. “Olivia, you’re fine. You alone are gift enough, I promise. They’ll love you because you’re my wife.”
I look into his eyes, which are literally shimmering with affection.
He has no idea how special he is. He sees the best in everyone—which is why he thinks I’m something wonderful, but his brothers are likely to be more cynical and assessing.
They don’t care about me the way Liam does.
They might even see through the fact that this marriage isn’t real, in the most basic sense that counts—no love, no understanding that this will be eternal. The goal is justice for my mother.
I kiss the corner of his mouth. “You’re biased, but okay.”
He shifts his head, trying to capture my mouth.
I pull back. “Hey! No. You’re going to smear my lipstick.”
“We can just not go. Or arrive fashionably late.”
I snort, then poke his side playfully. “Didn’t Rhys threaten to kill you or something? Can’t have my new husband expiring so soon.”
He laughs. “Fine, let’s go and make my brothers happy.”
The drive isn’t too long, although Silas doesn’t live in Malibu.
His house is nothing like what I imagined.
It’s huge—of course—and has a gorgeous, lush garden with every plant meticulously trimmed and taken care of.
The area leading up to the house smells faintly of wet earth and rosemary from four giant bushes growing by the main entrance.
Five cars in the carport. Probably the brothers. So they came early, probably to study me as I enter. I don’t blame them. I would’ve done the same.
I wish I had the confidence Liam does, but it isn’t easy for me to get close to people.
It was my second boyfriend—who Brielle also stole—who told me that I was too aloof and cold, like murky water you weren’t sure you wanted to jump into.
Such a poet. But then he was one of those kids who read Byron while lamenting his tormented existence of living on a trust fund.
Liam puts his hand at my back and escorts me into the house. The moment we step into the foyer, countless balloons fly toward the ceiling.
“Happy birthday!” comes a chorus of enthusiastic male voices and one lone female one.
I stare at the crowd. Among the six, five men are striking in their resemblance. The dark hair and blue eyes from Auric. Rhys and Gideon look so much like Liam since they share the same mother as well.
“So, Olivia, meet my brothers. In order, Rhys, Roarke, Silas, Gideon, Finn, and Xavier. And that’s Max, Rhys’s wife. Everyone, my wife, Olivia.”
The men study me, just the way I study them. They glance at Liam, then me again, then press their lips together like they have things to say, but won’t.
I cock my head. What’s that about? I look at Liam, but he’s engaged in a fierce stare war with Silas.
Meanwhile Max stares at me with eyes bright with calculation. What does she want…? Or is she always like this?
I lift my eyes to the mass of red and white balloons that are now floating against the ceiling. They’re so…childish. But very charming. When was the last time I had a birthday balloon?
Something shiny snags my focus. Four mylar balloons, all of them with hearts and the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTAH. Liam turns his head and immediately snorts.
“Sistah?” he says.
“That’s on Finn. When he placed the order, he said, ‘I want them to say happy birthday sistah,’” says an olive-skinned man with dark chocolate eyes. Silas, the one Elita had after a fling in Italy.
“I was just excited we finally got to meet her.” Finn points an accusing finger at Liam. “It’s like we aren’t good enough to meet her!”
“Still, sistah? Where did you find them?” Liam asks.
“They’re custom,” Finn grumbles.
“Sister, Sistah, whatever. We weren’t good enough to meet her, and weren’t good enough for the wedding or the birthday party. What the hell, man?” Xavier waves an arm dramatically.
“I looked up in the sky, and there it was: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WIFE OLIVIA KINGSWOOD.” Rhys gestures as though he saw the angel Gabriel descending. “I had to think for a moment before coming to the conclusion that we have a new addition to the family.”
Roarke heaves a sigh, his shoulders sagging. “Now that Liam has a woman, we’re nothing.”
“Less than nothing. Old garbage, to be cast aside.” Finn sniffs.
“Roach carcasses. Oil spill detritus.” Gideon shakes his head.
Liam rolls his eyes. “Okay, okay. Stop with the theatrics.”
Gideon clutches his chest dramatically. “Not theatrics. I think I’ve developed…a heart condition…”
“Look, guys, I just wanted a small wedding,” Liam says, taking the blame.
I don’t want him to. “It was actually—”
“Should’ve ordered balloons that said ‘Condolences to Olivia.’” Finn shakes his head with a sigh.
“Let the men have their fun,” Max says, coming over to give me a hug.
I return it. She has a great squeeze, surprisingly warm and tight.
“Welcome to the family. It’s wild, but you’ll love it. The brothers are always bickering like this,” she says.
“We don’t bicker. We manfully make our opinions known,” Roarke announces.
“So do skunks, but nobody wants their opinions.” Max smirks.
I laugh.
“Let’s go in and have brunch,” Liam says.
“Yes, let’s.” I link my hand with his. “I can smell bacon.”