Page 80 of The Contract Marriage

I look into his eyes, which are literally shimmering with affection. He has no idea how special he is. He sees the best in everyone—which is why he thinks I’m something wonderful, but his brothers are likely to be more cynical and assessing. They don’t care about me the way Liam does. They might even see through the fact that this marriage isn’t real, in the most basic sense that counts—no love, no understanding that this will be eternal. The goal is justice for my mother.

I kiss the corner of his mouth. “You’re biased, but okay.”

He shifts his head, trying to capture my mouth.

I pull back. “Hey! No. You’re going to smear my lipstick.”

“We can just not go. Or arrive fashionably late.”

I snort, then poke his side playfully. “Didn’t Rhys threaten to kill you or something? Can’t have my new husband expiring so soon.”

He laughs. “Fine, let’s go and make my brothers happy.”

The drive isn’t too long, although Silas doesn’t live in Malibu. His house is nothing like what I imagined. It’s huge—of course—and has a gorgeous, lush garden with every plant meticulously trimmed and taken care of. The area leading up to the house smells faintly of wet earth and rosemary from four giant bushes growing by the main entrance.

Five cars in the carport. Probably the brothers. So they came early, probably to study me as I enter. I don’t blame them. I would’ve done the same.

I wish I had the confidence Liam does, but it isn’t easy for me to get close to people. It was my second boyfriend—who Brielle also stole—who told me that I was too aloof and cold, like murky water you weren’t sure you wanted to jump into. Such a poet. But then he was one of those kids who read Byron while lamenting his tormented existence of living on a trust fund.

Liam puts his hand at my back and escorts me into the house. The moment we step into the foyer, countless balloons fly toward the ceiling.

“Happy birthday!” comes a chorus of enthusiastic male voices and one lone female one.

I stare at the crowd. Among the six, five men are striking in their resemblance. The dark hair and blue eyes from Auric. Rhys and Gideon look so much like Liam since they share the same mother as well.

“So, Olivia, meet my brothers. In order, Rhys, Roarke, Silas, Gideon, Finn, and Xavier. And that’s Max, Rhys’s wife. Everyone, my wife, Olivia.”

The men study me, just the way I study them. They glance at Liam, then me again, then press their lips together like they have things to say, but won’t.

I cock my head. What’s that about? I look at Liam, but he’s engaged in a fierce stare war with Silas.

Meanwhile Max stares at me with eyes bright with calculation. What does she want…? Or is she always like this?

I lift my eyes to the mass of red and white balloons that are now floating against the ceiling. They’re so…childish. But very charming. When was the last time I had a birthday balloon?

Something shiny snags my focus. Four mylar balloons, all of them with hearts and the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTAH. Liam turns his head and immediately snorts.

“Sistah?” he says.

“That’s on Finn. When he placed the order, he said, ‘I want them to say happy birthday sistah,’” says an olive-skinned man with dark chocolate eyes. Silas, the one Elita had after a fling in Italy.

“I was just excited we finally got to meet her.” Finn points an accusing finger at Liam. “It’s like we aren’t good enough to meet her!”

“Still, sistah? Where did you find them?” Liam asks.

“They’re custom,” Finn grumbles.

“Sister, Sistah, whatever. We weren’t good enough to meet her, and weren’t good enough for the wedding or the birthday party. What the hell, man?” Xavier waves an arm dramatically.

“I looked up in the sky, and there it was: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WIFE OLIVIA KINGSWOOD.” Rhys gestures as though he saw the angel Gabriel descending. “I had to think for a moment before coming to the conclusion that we have a new addition to the family.”

Roarke heaves a sigh, his shoulders sagging. “Now that Liam has a woman, we’re nothing.”

“Less than nothing. Old garbage, to be cast aside.” Finn sniffs.

“Roach carcasses. Oil spill detritus.” Gideon shakes his head.

Liam rolls his eyes. “Okay, okay. Stop with the theatrics.”