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“Online shopping, Mr. Vaulteneau,” he said gravely. “It wouldn’t be right to continue borrowing Matthias’s clothes when I look better in them than he does.”
My head snapped in his direction. He had an amazing poker face. The kid was an expert liar, though it was not a lie about the jacket. It looked great on him, though he’d probably freak out if I told him how much it cost.
Dad chuckled. “You are a very stylish young man. I must admit, Ciaran, you made quite the entrance, but what else could I expect with you being Theresa’s child. You’re not a pushover, either.” Dad gave me a meaningful look. “Which is something Matthias will need to get used to. Don’t let him bully you.”
“I give as good as I get, sir,” Ciaran said to my dad, but he was looking at me.
Who the hell was this kid and why did my cock twitch when he said that? I coughed discreetly.
Dad continued and I tried to focus. “Matthias and Ciaran may leave the gala but only if Ciaran accompanies Matthias to the same beach party.” Well played, Dad. “I do believe it’s the young man’s eighteenth birthday. A little celebration with people his own age seems appropriate.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, Stefon,” Theresa said. The corners of her eyes crinkled. “It would give Ciaran an opportunity to meet Matthias’s friends and explore the area.”
Blood rushed to my head. I’d have to babysit the kid tonight of all nights.
“I can deny you nothing, darling,” Dad said. Watching me steadily, Dad’s expression would not brook an argument from me. “Matthias?”
The sushi I’d eaten earlier threatened to come back up. “Happy to show my little bro around,” I replied in an even tone as I elbowed Ciaran in the ribs. “I’ll get him back in time for Noir Alley tonight.”
“Fabulous. We should tell them the news now, then,” Theresa said. She took Dad’s arm. Together, they stood like a unit pair, undivided.
That got my attention. Even Ciaran jerked to attention.
“Tell us what?” Ciaran asked, his voice a hoarse whisper.
Fuck, were they about to tell us they were pregnant? Was that the reason for the hurried wedding?
“We’re leaving for our honeymoon tonight instead of tomorrow,” Dad said. “We’re due bad weather tomorrow, so we decided to head out as soon as the party adjourns.”
Beside me, Ciaran let out a sigh of relief. So he didn’t want his mom to get pregnant either, which was surprising. If she was pregnant, then they’d have a bigger claim on Vaulteneau holdings. I hadn’t formed any specific plan of getting rid of them, but with Theresa and Ciaran now in our lives, dividing the property would become more complicated should something ever happen to my father.
I was so reassured about the non-pregnancy news that I was more than okay with them leaving a day early.
“Safe travels,” Ciaran said before hugging his mom. They shared a few private words where Ciaran nodded a few times. “Take care of my mom, Stefon.” He shook my dad’s hand.
Dad slapped me on the back and they returned to the party, leaving us in the corner.
“I’m excited for my first beach party,” Ciaran said with faux excitement.
“Let’s get this over with.”
17
CIARAN
Earlier, when Matthias brought me into the main house, I’d barely been able to keep my mouth closed. Marble floors, gold fixtures, al fresco paintings on the ceiling, a double grand staircase, luxurious furniture, and a large grand ballroom that could serve as an indoor-outdoor entertainment space if the glass wall panels were pushed outward.
In the same manner that the patio wall was left open in the guest room, it made the space even larger, which seemed insane given that it was already a very large estate with multiple wings and levels.
Now, though, as we exited the party, it also felt like we’d left behind the estate’s glittering opulence. It felt, I don’t know, oppressive somehow, like I couldn’t breathe until now.
Once we were outside, the evening was welcoming and cool. A gentle breeze ruffled through palm leaves and fragrant bushes.
It was getting darker, with a reddish sun sinking low in the horizon, and my eyes adjusted from the contrast of being inside a brightly lit room to the dusky outdoors.
Groundskeeping lights were illuminated and the path to the guesthouse was marked with soft glowing lanterns. The pools were laguna blue and the waterfall’s constant rushing water serenaded the night. Palm trees and desert foliage were lit up by angled orange lights, giving the allusion of fire.
I had no idea if Matthias meant to keep his word, that he’d take me to this beach party. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure if there was a beach party.
