Jeremy appeared with fresh drinks, his girlfriend Tessa in tow. “Mom’s about to send out a search party for Mia and James. They were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago.”
As if on cue, the grand entrance doors swung open, revealing Mia looking radiant in a deep-blue dress that made her look like she’d just stepped off a runway rather than a private jet. James followed, carrying what appeared to be enough shopping bags to stock a small boutique, while little Aria bounced excitedly beside them in a frilly pink dress that made her look like a miniature princess.
“Sorry we’re late!” Mia called out. “Someone insisted on stopping at every shop in LA.”
“You can’t come to a party empty-handed,” James defended, though his fond smile gave him away.
“Daddy bought me a tiara!” Aria announced to the room at large, pointing to the sparkly accessory perched in her dark hair. She spotted Daniel’s children and let out a delighted squeal. “Ella! Logan!”
The three children collided in what could only be described as an enthusiastic tackle-hug, their excited chatter about whatever mysterious adventures they were about to embark on drowning out the adults’ conversation.
“Great.” Sophie sighed, though she was smiling. “Now we’ll never get them to sleep.”
“They can tire themselves out exploring the east wing,” Catherine said, ever the practical grandmother. “There are only so many hiding spots they can find before exhaustion sets in.”
Matt watched as Aria took charge, organizing what appeared to be a very serious expedition to find treasure in Grandma’s art collection, with Ella and Logan falling in line like loyal subjects following their queen. The sounds of their adventure—excited whispers and hurried footsteps—provided a playful backdrop to the elegant gathering.
As the evening progressed, the party settled into a comfortable rhythm. Matt found himself observing the various scenes playing out around the vast space: his mother fussing over the catering staff, his father deep in conversation with William about some new business venture, and most entertainingly, Tory cornering Ethan by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The latter clutched his champagne glass like a lifeline while Fin not-so-subtly hovered nearby, practically vibrating with matchmaking energy.
“Your friend’s about as subtle as a Vegas billboard,” Matt murmured to Andy, nodding toward Fin.
Andy snorted into his drink. “Still better than your brother’s idea of going undercover. A leather jacket and ripped jeans isn’t exactly a master disguise.”
“At least it was better than his Elvis phase,” Matt groaned. “I still can’t believe he tried to blend in with a sequined jumpsuit and kept breaking into ‘Jailhouse Rock’ in the casino.”
“He did mention something about looking like ‘Elvis had a baby with a disco ball.’”
The arrival of Xavier Kingsley created one of those momentary lulls in conversation that seemed to follow him everywhere—like the universe itself needed a second to appreciate his entrance. Matt didn’t miss the way Ryan suddenly straightened from his slouch against the bar, nearly knocking over his drink in the process. His youngest brother’s attempt at casual nonchalance might have been more convincing if he hadn’t just spent five minutes fixing his hair in the reflection of his phone.
“Kingsley,” Matt acknowledged with a slight nod. “Couldn’t wait until tomorrow’s meeting to start annoying me?”
“And miss the chance to see you in your natural habitat?” Xavier’s smile was sharp but not unkind. “Besides, Catherine insisted. Something about ‘missing the good old college days when you boys were inseparable.’”
Matt’s lips twitched despite himself, remembering those days before rivalry and Ryan had complicated everything. “Mother does love living in the past.”
“Speaking of the past…” Xavier’s eyes flickered to where Ryan was trying very hard to look occupied with his phone. “Some things do change for the better.”
Ryan’s cough sounded suspiciously like a strangled squeak, though Matt noticed his youngest brother wasn’t exactly moving away from Xavier’s general vicinity.
“The Vegas hospitality scene certainly has,” Xavier continued smoothly. “Ryan’s been quite… enlightening about the current trends.”
“I bet he has,” Andy muttered under his breath, earning himself a gentle squeeze from Matt.
William chose that moment to appear with Savannah, saving Ryan from further scrutiny. “If you’re done with the corporate foreplay, some of us would like to actually enjoy the party. Though I have to say, Matt, only you could turn getting kidnapped into a networking opportunity.”
“It’s a gift,” Matt deadpanned. “I’m thinking of adding it to my professional profile.”
“Right after ‘surviving family gatherings’ and before ‘dealing with Xavier Kingsley,’” Andy added helpfully.
The tension broke as laughter rippled through the group. Even Xavier cracked a genuine smile, though his eyes kept drifting to where Ryan was.
Across the room, Fin’s voice carried clearly. “Come on, Ethan, this is perfect. He was just talking about the new casino expansion. You’ve been studying those architectural designs for weeks.”
“That’s different,” Ethan hissed back. “That’s work-related.”
“Exactly! A perfect excuse. Go ask him about the traditional Japanese elements they’re incorporating. Show off that research you’ve been doing.”
Ethan’s response was lost in the music, but judging by the way he was turning the same shade as the red accent wall, he wasn’t buying into his brother’s supposedly brilliant plan.
