16. Matthias

16

MATTHIAS

I 'm not sure how Ciaran managed it, but he seemed really comfortable around famous people. I watched him mingle with his mom around the grand ballroom. Theresa was clearly a natural. The statuesque blond easily commanded and earned the respect of everyone she interacted with.

Even Ciaran seemed capable of maintaining a conversation with others without the slightest issue, though I think the only celebrity he and Theresa freaked out over was the iconic host of Turner Classic Movies' Noir Alley .

I'd grown up in this environment, with famous directors mussing my hair when I was child all the way until now, when up-and-coming starlets and Oscar winners equally asked me about school and my swim times.

How could Ciaran already act like he belonged here?

"Any closer to your Olympic dreams, son?" the CEO of a large grocery chain asked me after dinner.

"Still a few seconds off, but I am making strides." This was, unfortunately, a complete lie. My times were getting worse the longer my shoulder ached. I sipped from my champagne flute, my eyes following Ciaran around the room. "Coach thinks I have what it takes this year."

"Excellent news," the older woman said.

While every other male in the room was in shades of black or gray or blue, Ciaran was easy to spot in his crimson jacket. He looked good.

No, that wasn't right.

He looked damn good.

He'd styled his curly hair in a tousled way that looked both casual and formal. The suit fit him almost perfectly. The only thing that detracted from his appearance was the bruise that had formed on his forehead. He must have smacked it on the surfboard. I saw that he touched it when talking to others, as if to explain it away in a self-deprecating manner. Who gave him the right to joke about his excursion today? Ciaran had no clue just how close he'd come to injury, or worse.

When Dad approached me, he said, "Why does it look like you've swallowed a hive of bees?"

"I don't know what you mean."

We were in the corner, away from prying ears. Catering servants were milling about, offering hors d'oeuvres, and replenishing each guest's liquor of choice.

"You're scowling, Matthias," Dad said behind his whiskey tumbler. "Your persistent stare at my bride and her son is glaringly obvious. I don't know what your problem is, but bury it deep down. Someone may get the impression you do not approve of Mrs. Vaulteneau."

Dad was right.

I'd let my thoughts about Ciaran affect me.

"Mrs. Vaulteneau is delightful," I added. "More regal than either of us."

I assumed my normal bland expression of boredom. I took in the lovely floral arrangements, the champagne waterfall, the excellent string quartet that provided the elegant soundtrack to tonight's events, the throngs of guests most people would kill to mingle with.

"Damn straight. So it's the son then?" Dad's voice was dangerous. I had to be careful in how I answered.

"He's…" How could I explain that I'd found my stepbrother both irritating and appealing. That there was a war brewing inside me, one I could not resolve. "He's going to take some getting used to, is all."

I could have snitched about his ocean excursion, but held back. I needed something to hold over his head. If the transgressions added up, maybe I could get Ciaran's mom to ship him off to his dad, whoever he was.

"Figure it out in private, Matty, but in front of others, the two of you are best fucking friends. Got it?"

"Yes, sir," I said through clinched teeth.

Theresa and Ciaran circled the room and came to stand with us. Dad kissed Theresa on the cheek. "You look beautiful, my love. Have I told you that?"

She wore an elegant gown that illuminated the ballroom's soft light. Thousands of tiny Swarovski crystals were sewn into the fabric and every time she moved, it was like a glittering waterfall moved around her. She was refined, graceful, her posture regal.

"At least a hundred times, Stefon." Ciaran, who had been escorting her, was a colorful contrast to his mom's ensemble. "Thank you for inviting Mr. Muller." She was breathless.

Dad beamed at Theresa. "Anything for you, my darling."

"It was a full circle moment, wasn't it, Ciaran?"

"Yes," Ciaran added softly. "Grandpa Tommy would have been beside himself if he were here."

Theresa filled me in. "My late father was a huge fan of TCM's Noir Alley . It was an honor to tell Mr. Muller how much the program meant to him."

I stole a glance at Ciaran. His eyes were deceptively bright and I felt a brief stab of empathy for him.

Theresa looked between me and Ciaran. "Stefon, I believe our boys have been on their best behavior and have done their duty. Let's release them for the evening. After all, it's a Saturday night," she said, smiling equally between us, "and surely they'd rather be somewhere else besides hanging out with their parents in a ballroom."

Theresa wasn't wrong, but I didn't say anything.

With stealth movements, I'd been looking at my watch, checking the time.

Dad adjusted his cufflinks and made a noncommittal noise. "Matthias, what are your plans tonight?"

"Going to a beach party with Filipe and Joan," I lied.

He then turned to Ciaran. "And you, young man?"

"Online shopping, Mr. Vaulteneau," he said gravely. "It wouldn't be right to continue borrowing Matthias's clothes when I look better in them than he does."

My head snapped in his direction. He had an amazing poker face. The kid was an expert liar, though it was not a lie about the jacket. It looked great on him, though he'd probably freak out if I told him how much it cost.

Dad chuckled. "You are a very stylish young man. I must admit, Ciaran, you made quite the entrance, but what else could I expect with you being Theresa's child. You're not a pushover, either." Dad gave me a meaningful look. "Which is something Matthias will need to get used to. Don't let him bully you."

"I give as good as I get, sir," Ciaran said to my dad, but he was looking at me.

Who the hell was this kid and why did my cock twitch when he said that? I coughed discreetly.

Dad continued and I tried to focus. "Matthias and Ciaran may leave the gala but only if Ciaran accompanies Matthias to the same beach party." Well played, Dad. "I do believe it's the young man's eighteenth birthday. A little celebration with people his own age seems appropriate."

"That's a wonderful idea, Stefon," Theresa said. The corners of her eyes crinkled. "It would give Ciaran an opportunity to meet Matthias's friends and explore the area."

Blood rushed to my head. I'd have to babysit the kid tonight of all nights.

"I can deny you nothing, darling," Dad said. Watching me steadily, Dad's expression would not brook an argument from me. "Matthias?"

The sushi I'd eaten earlier threatened to come back up. "Happy to show my little bro around," I replied in an even tone as I elbowed Ciaran in the ribs. "I'll get him back in time for Noir Alley tonight."

"Fabulous. We should tell them the news now, then," Theresa said. She took Dad's arm. Together, they stood like a unit pair, undivided.

That got my attention. Even Ciaran jerked to attention.

"Tell us what?" Ciaran asked, his voice a hoarse whisper.

Fuck, were they about to tell us they were pregnant? Was that the reason for the hurried wedding?

"We're leaving for our honeymoon tonight instead of tomorrow," Dad said. "We're due bad weather tomorrow, so we decided to head out as soon as the party adjourns."

Beside me, Ciaran let out a sigh of relief. So he didn't want his mom to get pregnant either, which was surprising. If she was pregnant, then they'd have a bigger claim on Vaulteneau holdings. I hadn't formed any specific plan of getting rid of them, but with Theresa and Ciaran now in our lives, dividing the property would become more complicated should something ever happen to my father.

I was so reassured about the non-pregnancy news that I was more than okay with them leaving a day early.

"Safe travels," Ciaran said before hugging his mom. They shared a few private words where Ciaran nodded a few times. "Take care of my mom, Stefon." He shook my dad's hand.

Dad slapped me on the back and they returned to the party, leaving us in the corner.

"I'm excited for my first beach party," Ciaran said with faux excitement.

"Let's get this over with."