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I see all the Xander men have the ability to flatter but not all have the charm.“That’s quite a lot to take in. Are you at least on good terms with each other?”
“I owe him a lot, so I try to maintain cordiality. But he sometimes goes as far as forgetting to wish me a happy birthday. We all have our demons; he simply has more than most,” Nico revealed, emphasizing the complexity of Dillon’s personality. It was apparent to anyone that Dillon harbored deep-seated issues that he had yet to address.
“Wow. I hope things improve,” I offered, extending a genuine smile and taking a sip of the scotch. It was surprisingly smooth, possessing a unique blend of flavors that I enjoyed.
The baby shower was in full swing, but we remained outside. I was sure I’d send my regards to Mara soon and eventually meet the people I was supposed to. According to Nico, we’d be called inside shortly for cake cutting, well-wishes, and more. But for now, I was engrossed in his stories and the scotch.
“Me too, but it won’t. Dillon is unstoppable. Just last week, he was number 8 on the richest men list, and now he’s at 6,” Nico said, with a hint of jealousy in his voice. His envy was a bit perplexing. If he didn’t care much for his grandparents, why was he jealous? He clearly had the love of his parents and never had to work a day in his life.
“Is all that wealth generational?”
“Definitely not. Our grandfather left the family’s businesses in shambles due to his gambling addiction. He gambled away the family fortune. Dillon built everything from the ground up, which is why he’s achieved his current status. If he knew I was sharing all this, he’d probably kill me.”
I believed him. Dillon was undoubtedly a gifted and driven individual. The insights I was gaining were truly astounding. I was mostly speechless but grateful for the candid revelations.
“Are you single, Azzaria?” Nico took an abrupt turn in our conversation.
“No, she’s not single,” Mara interjected, her tone confident and matter-of-fact. Startled, I turned my attention toward her.
Mara then redirected her gaze to me and asked, “Nico isn’t harassing you, is he?” Her expression held a mix of concern and curiosity, hinting at the underlying complexity of their relationships.
I quickly shook my head in response, reassuring her, “No, Mara, he’s not harassing me at all. We were just having a conversation.”
A sense of relief washed over me as Mara’s features softened. She turned her attention back to Nico, who had appeared somewhat startled by her interruption.
“Nico, come with me for a moment,” Mara commanded, her voice firm but not rough.
He complied with his sister’s request, and the two of them stepped away to have their private conversation. I couldn’t hear the details, but it was apparent that the family dynamics at play were intricate and not without their tensions.
Left to my own thoughts and feeling slightly confused, I watched as they walked away. The background chatter and the sound of celebration gradually filled the void left by their departure.
It was then that Mara returned her focus to me, and the lines of worry on her face seemed to ease as she began to speak.
“Thank you for understanding,” she said with a grateful smile. “Nico can be a bit unpredictable and vulgar.”
“It’s okay, he was just talking to me, that’s all.”
“Good. Are you enjoying yourself?”
I nodded. “I am, thanks for the invite. Everything is so perfect and you look so good.”
“Thank you dear,” she said. “My husband planned most of it.”
I found that really cute. Alexander wasn’t much of a talker, but even the blind could how much he loved Mara.
After catching up with her and relishing in the festivities of the baby shower, the night was gradually drawing to a close.
As the evening wrapped up, I approached Dillon to say my goodbyes.
With his hand casually resting against my car, he leaned in closer, his eyes locked on mine. “You’re gorgeous,” he mused, a hint of seduction in his voice.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you.” I was still a bit pissed about earlier, but it wasn’t that serious, so I moved on.
“Are you still upset about earlier?”
Hmm. “I wasn’t upset. I was unsettled. And no, it’s not that serious.”
He sighed. “I meant what I said, she’s just a friend of mine, a business partner, if we’re being specific.”
