Page 14 of Cayden

But she was required to attend. As Cayden’s wife, she was going to have to put on a brave face and stand at his side. She had left prematurely when they were in Italy and the papers had picked up on that, making a big deal out of it.

She was responding to an email when she looked up as the door was pushed open.

“Clive.” Her smile was warm and sincere as she watched him move across the room with the same grace as his brothers. They had each inherited their father’s thick dark hair, but only her husband had the green eyes of his Irish ancestry. “Hi. What are you doing home in the middle of the afternoon?”

“Would you believe I am dodging work?” He asked with a winsome smile, gray eyes scanning her finely-boned face as he took a seat next to her desk.

“Not for a second. What is up?”

Clive leaned back in his chair, his easy manner belying a certain intentness in his gaze. "Actually, I wanted to check on you. You seemed a bit off last night, and I wanted to make sure everything was okay."

She sighed inwardly, appreciating his concern but wary of the potential complications. "I'm fine, Clive. Just dealing with a lot right now."

He nodded, accepting her answer at face value, but she could tell he was not entirely convinced. "If you ever need to talk, you know where to find me," he said softly.

She gave him a grateful smile, trying to alleviate the awkwardness. "Thanks, Clive. I appreciate it."

“You and my brother okay?” He prodded.

She hesitated a bit. He was friendly and had been one of the first person to welcome her into the family. But even so, she could not discuss her personal business with him.

“We will be, eventually.” She toyed with the crystal paperweight Cayden had given her just a few months ago. “Marriage is complicated.” She let out a swift laugh and shook her head. “That sounds too much like a cliché.”

“Only it’s not.” He gave her a sage look. “It must be bloody difficult to be married into a family like this. Everything we do makes the news and you cannot go and get a damn cup of coffee without it being reported the next morning. I have been born into it, and it still makes me crazy.”

His expression softened. “You are married to Cayden and his reputation has an added element to the excitement.

The press salivates over even the slightest hint of tension. They are going to dig for a story and more than likely make one up.” He leaned over and took her hand. “You cannot let it get to you Blair. I have heard the rumors and know for a fact that my brother is not cheating on you.”

Her hand jerked in his slightly, but he held on.

“Rumors have a way of stemming from a kernel of truth. I saw him with Claudine…”

“That’s history.” He squeezed her hand gently and allowed his touch to linger. He liked her a lot and cursed the fact that his brother had gotten to her first. And he could also see the unhappiness on her lovely face and cursed his brother for adding to whatever it was she was going through.

“Is it?” She shrugged and pulled her hand away. “In the meantime, I am going to have to play nice at the function tonight.”

“I’ll be there,” he flashed her a smile, “take comfort in that.”

She smiled at him. “I will. Thanks, Clive.”

As he stood to leave, she could not help but notice the subtle but unmistakable tension in his posture. He paused at the door, turning back with a thoughtful expression. It is going to be quite an event."

She nodded, feeling the weight of the evening ahead pressing down on her. "I can imagine. I just need to finish up a few things here."

"Alright. I will see you there," he said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes as he left the room.

Alone again, she allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, sinking into her chair with a weary sigh. The evening loomed large and daunting, another stage where she would have to play her part. But for now, she could take solace in the brief reprieve, gathering her strength for the performance to come.

*****

She had chosen one of the sexiest outfit in the vast closet. When she moved in after she married Cayden, adjustments had been made to the suite. His closet was already department store huge, so there wasn’t the need for any extensions.

Designers had come in just to make some adjustments which included, shelves for her shoes, hundreds of them, bags, purses, and totes. Then there was the revolving racks for her clothes – designer gowns, everyday wear, suits, outer jackets, sweaters, jeans, and scarves.

When she had seen the finished result, it had left her staggered and more than a little overwhelmed. She had protested that there was no way she was going to be able to wear most of the outfits, but her mother-in-law had set her straight.

“You are no longer a schoolteacher, but the wife of an enormously powerful man. The press will be relentless and will make a note of every outfit you wear. You are not only Cayden’s wife, but you are also representing the Caruso’s family. Bear that in mind!”

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