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 st ep 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.”