AllFreeNovel
Share Us
No, that wasn’t right.
He looked damn good.
He’d styled his curly hair in a tousled way that looked both casual and formal. The suit fit him almost perfectly. The only thing that detracted from his appearance was the bruise that had formed on his forehead. He must have smacked it on the surfboard. I saw that he touched it when talking to others, as if to explain it away in a self-deprecating manner. Who gave him the right to joke about his excursion today? Ciaran had no clue just how close he’d come to injury, or worse.
When Dad approached me, he said, “Why does it look like you’ve swallowed a hive of bees?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
We were in the corner, away from prying ears. Catering servants were milling about, offering hors d’oeuvres, and replenishing each guest’s liquor of choice.
“You’re scowling, Matthias,” Dad said behind his whiskey tumbler. “Your persistent stare at my bride and her son is glaringly obvious. I don’t know what your problem is, but bury it deep down. Someone may get the impression you do not approve of Mrs. Vaulteneau.”
Dad was right.
I’d let my thoughts about Ciaran affect me.
“Mrs. Vaulteneau is delightful,” I added. “More regal than either of us.”
I assumed my normal bland expression of boredom. I took in the lovely floral arrangements, the champagne waterfall, the excellent string quartet that provided the elegant soundtrack to tonight’s events, the throngs of guests most people would kill to mingle with.
“Damn straight. So it’s the son then?” Dad’s voice was dangerous. I had to be careful in how I answered.
“He’s…” How could I explain that I’d found my stepbrother both irritating and appealing. That there was a war brewing inside me, one I could not resolve. “He’s going to take some getting used to, is all.”
I could have snitched about his ocean excursion, but held back. I needed something to hold over his head. If the transgressions added up, maybe I could get Ciaran’s mom to ship him off to his dad, whoever he was.
“Figure it out in private, Matty, but in front of others, the two of you are best fucking friends. Got it?”
“Yes, sir,” I said through clinched teeth.
Theresa and Ciaran circled the room and came to stand with us. Dad kissed Theresa on the cheek. “You look beautiful, my love. Have I told you that?”
She wore an elegant gown that illuminated the ballroom’s soft light. Thousands of tiny Swarovski crystals were sewn into the fabric and every time she moved, it was like a glittering waterfall moved around her. She was refined, graceful, her posture regal.
“At least a hundred times, Stefon.” Ciaran, who had been escorting her, was a colorful contrast to his mom’s ensemble. “Thank you for inviting Mr. Muller.” She was breathless.
Dad beamed at Theresa. “Anything for you, my darling.”
“It was a full circle moment, wasn’t it, Ciaran?”
“Yes,” Ciaran added softly. “Grandpa Tommy would have been beside himself if he were here.”
Theresa filled me in. “My late father was a huge fan of TCM’s Noir Alley. It was an honor to tell Mr. Muller how much the program meant to him.”
I stole a glance at Ciaran. His eyes were deceptively bright and I felt a brief stab of empathy for him.
Theresa looked between me and Ciaran. “Stefon, I believe our boys have been on their best behavior and have done their duty. Let’s release them for the evening. After all, it’s a Saturday night,” she said, smiling equally between us, “and surely they’d rather be somewhere else besides hanging out with their parents in a ballroom.”
Theresa wasn’t wrong, but I didn’t say anything.
With stealth movements, I’d been looking at my watch, checking the time.
Dad adjusted his cufflinks and made a noncommittal noise. “Matthias, what are your plans tonight?”
“Going to a beach party with Filipe and Joan,” I lied.
He then turned to Ciaran. “And you, young man?”
