Mathew.
I know little about Rose's family, and her brother is the one I've dealt with the most.
Given my urgency to secure a wife with a family who wouldn't cause trouble, I didn't look as deeply as I perhaps should have.
Is this my mistake?
I reach for my phone and dial Ethan's number. He answers on the third ring.
"Boss?"
"How is your travel?"
"Last letter delivered," he replies with a heavy sigh. "This shit never gets easier."
"Any trouble?"
"No. A lot of tears. Most were happy to get the money."
"Any budding issues?"
"You mean do any of the kids look angry enough to come and get revenge on you in a few years?"
"Exactly."
Ethan snorts. "No. Most are too young to understand. A cruel blessing."
"Understood."
"What do you need?"
"I want you to track down Rose's mother and sister, Beatie. They did not come to the wedding and I allowed it because we were in a hurry. Neither came to the party and I understood illness. But I am concerned."
"About?"
"Mathew. Rose. Trouble with her family. If there is an illness or a situation that I can help with, I want to help. But I suspect she will not tell me the truth, so I want you to track them down for me."
"Understood. Do you want me to make contact?"
"Locate and observe for now," I reply, casting my gaze out to the shimmering pool. "It may be nothing, but I want to be sure."
"Of course. I'll call you as soon as I have something."
"Thank you."
Silence falls after the call and I tap my pen lightly against the desk while absently tracking the sparkles over the surface of the pool.
Whatever Rose is hiding, or whoever she is protecting, won't remain secret for long.
17
ROSE
Time is not on my side.
With Mathew growing more impatient and Calvin starting to ask questions, the pressure's increasing and I'm running out of ideas.
Every time I plan to sleep with Kon, he works late and doesn't come to bed until I've fallen asleep. Then he leaves in the morning before I'm barely awake.
