Page 3 of Sip
No impudence sounds in her voice from my inaction. She’s actually inviting me to join her in her crusade. I’m not sure if I should laugh or call for a psychiatrist. Instead, I interrogate her motives. “Why do you even care? They’re just worms. It’s just dirt.”
Disappointment I don’t fully understand dims her smile and droops her lips. “I know it seems that way. But if something’s broken, even if it’s small, don’t you want to fix it?”
The perfect metaphor for her. Small but broken, obviously. Before I can answer, the front door swings open again. That bastard Milano stands in the entryway as livid as the last time I saw him yet he directs his annoyance toward her rather than me.
“Damn it, Grace. Get in here.”
“Yes father.”
Defeat fills her tone as if she’s used to his demands. I’m polite enough to offer my assistance to help her to her feet, and I swear to fucking god her delicate hand scorches my skin when her graceful fingers slide across my palm. The power in her soft touch catches me off guard, and I fight to keep from yanking her to me. “I’ve got you, baby girl.”
“Thank you, but I’m fine. He’s always mad at me for some reason or another.”
And, for some reason that irritates me. I’m not sure why I give a fuck because I don’t know her, don’t care about her, don’t understand her. But I do like how resilient and earnest she is despite her eccentric behavior.
“I’m used to it. He thinks I care too much. Is that even possible?”
The question must be rhetorical. She gives my hand a squeeze as she murmurs her thanks and spins around when his aggravated throat clearing wafts over the crickets chirping in the landscaping. Rage spikes in me when he squeezes her arm, giving her a shake as he admonishes her. Fuck that. “Don’t.”
Both of their gazes whip toward me. Obvious they’re stunned by my order. She’s not mine but the moment she became my brother’s fiancée, her discipline falls to him and thus to me via proxy when he’s not around. Gian’s grip loosens, and he acquiesces to my authority over her.
I follow her same path and offer my arm as I step closer. The obedient young woman she’s been raised to be accepts my gesture without question and wraps her hand around my bicep. She’s seemingly unfazed while I’m jolted with the electricity sparking between us. Needing to get my head back on my priorities, I ignore the sensation and lead her inside where Shane speaks with Grace’s cousin Nino. Without any sons of his own, Gian dotes on the boy as his heir. With his crumbling empire there isn’t much to inherit but he can at least save face with what’s left making this deal with our family. They benefit from our protection while we— I mean my brother— benefits from a virgin wife able to bear his children. “I have Grace for you.”
Shane nods nonplussed when she releases me and her petite body engulfs him with a huge hug. We’re not used to women and their sweetness since our mother died at our father’s hands and our only living sister moved out after she was married. Neither of us have been the recipients of any affection for years. He allows the intrusion and awkwardly pats her back.
“Oh Shane, it’s so wonderful to finally meet you.”
“You too honey.”
He doesn’t seem as excited as she does but permits her brief kiss on his cheek. The age gap between them is even more evident as she strains on her tiptoes to reach his face, hardened by stress and sun and sorrow while her smooth skin glows pink with youth and innocence no one has ruined yet.
The warmth she exudes in her greeting seems genuine, intriguing me even more. She’s being forced to marry a man she’s never met— a grieving widower twice her age— who’s aloof behavior hasn’t diminished her spirit. A gentle smile doesn’t leave her face while he ignores her, engaging her cousin in discussion rather than her. I can’t fathom her acceptance of this fate yet here she is. Grinning and gracious despite the men in the room controlling her life as well as her destiny.
Used to the game, I play my part too, listening to the conversation and participating where appropriate while still watching her. She sips from the wine glass Shane swiped from the waitress who kept her focus on the carpet as she served drinks. Which is good because I’d have felt a bit of shame if she’d called me out in front of Grace. Although I’m not sure why I care what my almost sister-in-law thinks.
The scent of our chef’s beef wellington overpowers the hint of smoke from our cigars, announcing the start of dinner before her assistant can proclaim the appetizers have been served.
“Give us a minute.” Shane slides his free hand to Grace’s back and tips his head down. “Come with me honey.”
She quickly nods, allowing him to draw her away. Gian and Nino appear unbothered by my brother being alone with Grace and head to the dining room, while I battle the odd instinct to follow her. Shane would never harm an innocent either, yet I can’t shake the feeling that somehow, she still will be hurt.
Unaccustomed to worry weighing on my chest, I stay in my spot. I’d rather be alone than force politeness with her family. Instead of joining them I finish my drink, welcoming the effects of the rich liquor through my body although the alcohol doesn’t ease my rare apprehension.
The creak of Shane’s office door forces me to move, and I catch a glimpse of her narrow back as she hurries down the hall. Unable to see her face, I have no way of knowing if she’s upset. My brother will have to provide the answers.
He does. Silent and stewing as he sits on the edge of his desk with a black velvet box in his hand and a frown on his face. “What happened?”
Not bothering to look at me, he rises and strides around to the credenza, dropping the container in a drawer. He blows out a long sigh and rolls his shoulders back, attempting to ease some tension.
“I told her the truth.”
Revulsion pricks my warming skin. I already know I’m not going to like what he’s about to tell me. “Which is?”
“That I’m still grieving. That I’ll probably never get over Maeve. But if she’s willing to put up with me and bear my children, I’ll always treat her with respect and give her anything she wants as long as I’m able to.”
He’s exactly right. Every single word is accurate. He loved his wife and losing her almost killed him, especially since they were never able to have kids that would help preserve her memory. Now Grace pays the price for his loss. “What did she say?”
“She said yes.”
