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“Well, if he’s done his research, there’s no reason for him to meet me.”
“Yes, but you know that a file only tells so much,” I said.
“Right, and he just wants to know who I am, see into my soul and all that,” she said.
“You sound skeptical,” I said.
“I am. If he wants to meet me, it’s either to intimidate me, or make sure I’m not a threat to your family’s business.”
She said the words without judgment, but the truth of them was undeniable.
“That too,” I said.
“Yeah,” she responded.
“I don’t want you to be concerned. Elias is no threat to you. No one else is either. And, while he has his worries about the business, he really does want to know you,” I said.
“Whatever,” she responded.
I didn’t necessarily like that answer, but I didn’t press.
I was trying to take it easy, remember that all of this was still new to Amethyst. After all, we had reached a tentative peace of our own.
Introducing Elias, or any other destabilizing elements, wouldn’t be smart. But I knew one day he would get what he wanted. And in truth, I was excited about it.
For years, it had only been Elias, my father, and me. And during the decade of my father’s imprisonment, it had only been Elias and I.
Our relationship could be challenging, and though I would never tell him, I loved my brother and respected him. His insight into Amethyst, his opinion of her, was important. Not important enough to change anything, but I still hoped that they would get along.
“Well, enjoy your day. I’m going to rest a bit and go out later.”
I nodded. “Just tell the men when you’re ready,” I said.
She had stopped fighting me over the men, but I could see that their presence still chafed.
I needed to address that.
“Amethyst, you know—”
She shook her head to cut me off.
“No need for a lecture or pep talk. I’m not going to try to duck your men,” she said.
I gave her another long look, reminding myself that she still needed time to get used to these changes.
When I was satisfied that things were okay—or as okay as they could be for the moment—I left.
The ride to Elias’s passed quickly and uneventfully, and when I found him, he was agitated.
He was pacing back and forth, something that wasn’t like him.
Elias always said that I was distant, and I always responded that it took one to know one.
My brother was famous for his reserve, even more so than my father. Something that had him visibly annoyed couldn’t be good.
“I take it you don’t have good news,” I said.
“No. Not exactly,” he said.
