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“To get married,” I reply, digging in the dresser for a clean shirt.
Bria stands, her head tipped to the side. “Now?”
The shirt I’m looking for is at the bottom of the pile. Pulling it out, I turn to her as I slide it over my head. “Absolutely.”
“But… we don’t even have rings.”
“We’ll buy them. I’ll buy you a huge one.” Picking her sundress off the floor, I toss it to her. “Baby, get dressed. I won’t sleep until you have my last name.”
She pulls on the dress and giggles, clearly thinking I’m crazy. “I don’t evenknowyour last name.”
She’s right. I don’t even think she knows my first name. “Russo.” I reach out my hand to her. “Mateo Russo.”
Giggling, she puts her hand in mine, grinning from ear to ear. “Nice to meet you, Mateo.”
I turn her around, giving her a pat on the butt. “Nice to meet you too. Now go, get ready. We’ve got a wedding to go to.”
BRIA
Two WeeksLATER
Priest approaches the gate and pulls up next to the guard shack. A beast of a man steps from the booth, the gun at his hip on full display. “State your business.”
I lean across the center console, straining my neck to see him as I speak. “I’m Bria Collins. I’m here to see my brother, Liam. Can you let him know I’m here?”
The man leans down and peers into our rental car, then huffs. His hand goes to his earpiece, and he says something into the receiver on his chest. The metal gate in front of us clicks heavily as it unlocks and creaks open.
“Go straight on to the main house. Mr. Collins will meet you there.”
“Thanks,” Priest mutters before driving through the gate, which promptly closes behind us. “He’s certainly spared no expense on security.”
“No shit,” I say, looking around at the opulence of Liam’s estate. Priest drives up the winding driveway until the house comes into full view. I gasp when I see it.
“Think it’s big enough?” Priest jokes as we draw closer.
The enormous property sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. White siding contrasts beautifully against the cool blue hues of the ocean behind it. Large windows span the length of five separate floors. There must be perfect views of the ocean and the open property around it from inside.
“Wonder how much all this privacy cost him. Oceanfront property has to be at a premium around here.”
“I don’t even want to think about how much this house cost,” I admit. My brother has money, clearly. The expensive suits I’d seen him wear was a clue to his financial status, but this house? I didn’t expect this at all. I envisioned an older family home, passed down from our grandfather upon his death. This home is new and modern, and the epitome of wealth.
The ornate front doors open as Priest brings the car to a stop. Liam steps out, wearing a designer suit, of course. He certainly has a good sense of style. Even after he stayed a week back in Austin, he wore a new suit every day. All business all the time, it seems with him.
“Bria,” he greets, opening my door for me. Helping me out of the car, I step into the sunny coastal air with a smile. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks,” I breathe.
Priest rounds the SUV and joins us, shaking my brother’s hand firmly. Liam’s eyes are narrowed as he looks at my husband. He had argued about Priest coming with me, but I’d put my foot down, telling him that where I go, Priest goes. Little does my brother know that there’s another reason he’s with me. I just have to hope that news will be better received than my request for him to join us.
“Let’s get you inside.”Liam places his hand on my lower back and ushers me up the steps.
His home is larger inside than it appears. Each room is an open concept style, with few walls separating off the spaces. Minimalist furniture and adornments decorate the space. A fancy bachelor’s pad. One created for function instead of beauty. A space lacking a woman’s touch.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s big, I’ll give you that.” My eyes don’t know what to look at first. I don’t remember ever seeing a place so luxurious. “This is really where we grew up?”
He shrugs. “More or less. I’ve renovated it quite a bit, but it’s still home.”
