Page 12 of Intrigued
“She thinks I’m a playboy,” Spencer said.
Asher’s girlfriend rolled her eyes. “Not that again.”
“Gina, from wherever the hell you come from, shut up,” Bryn said.
Gina looked at Bryn as if Bryn had just slapped her across the face.
“Apologize to her,” Asher shouted, pointing his finger at Bryn as though he wanted to stab her in an eye.
“No,” Bryn said calmly as she swallowed a spoonful of soup.
I made the mistake of taking my first taste of soup as well. My entire mouth ignited with the most delicious and robust flavors. I took my next taste and the next until Asher and Bryn’s bickering sounded like Chihuahuas yapping at each other in the background.
“Just be respectful to my girlfriend,” Asher said.
Spencer let out a loud laugh, obviously mocking him.
Gina watched Spencer with watery eyes. She definitely seemed too hurt by a man she wasn’t involved with. Then I saw their gazes meet for a microsecond.
Jasper cleared his throat, and like everyone else, I looked at him. “This was supposed to be a private dinner with family, but since you invited guests, please do a better job of behaving yourselves.”
Spencer and Asher looked at each other with wide eyes.
Bryn raised her hand and waved it. “I want to let you all know that I’ve hired Holly to do some initial fact-finding and information gathering for our family’s official biography.”
“What biography?” Jasper snapped.
“And before you get your underwear in a bunch, Randolph has not only approved the book, he signed the contract. He owes that to me, to us. Don’t you think, Ace?” Bryn watched him with her eyes narrowed to slits.
Not only did my mouth fall open, but so did Jasper’s. I’d only spent a small amount of time with him, but he struck me as the kind of guy who was hardly ever rendered speechless.
When we were in college, I would sometimes notice Bryn showcase an ability to take charge in a way similar to how Patton must’ve rallied the troops. That was what was happening now.
Finally, Jasper coughed into his closed fist. “Father’s not in any condition to sign a contract, and you know that.”
“Oh, he’s in the condition to sign a contract, believe me.” Her tone indicated a hidden meaning. Then Bryn manufactured a smile. “Plus, you’ve been traipsing around Asia for the last two months. So I know more about his condition than you.”
I waited for Jasper to go ballistic, but instead, he stared at Bryn with a dubious expression.
“My secretary has sent a copy to each of your lawyers,” Bryn said.
“You’re up to something,” Asher said.
Bryn sat up straight. From my recollection, when she did that in response to an allegation, shewasup to something. Whenever I used to accuse her of cheating on a test or paying someone to finish her papers, she would stand up straight, square her shoulders, and simply lie.
“I hired Holly,” she said.
“No,” Jasper said.
“Yes,” Bryn replied. “And she’s just as surprised as all of you. When she showed up, she had no idea I wanted to hire her to figure out the details that will make our family a little more interesting than the norm without landing you all in jail or something.”
Spencer sneered. “So is she supposed to interview us?” He was watching me as if he were a lion and I were the gazelle.
“Yes,” Bryn replied.
“Humph.” He sounded intrigued by the possibility. “Then how about tonight, your room?”
I looked down at my soup and away from his lascivious gaze.
