“And Olivia has been enjoying not having anyone undermine her, critique her every decision, or call her a whore,” said Jackson. “So, really, it’s been winning all around.”
Eleanor took a breath and then closed her mouth around whatever hasty words were coming to her mind. “Indeed,” she said with a polite smile. One of her many policies was never to say anything bad about her enemies. He was always impressedby her willpower on that one.
“Indeed,” he agreed, and her head rocked slightly back in a silent laugh.
“And Dominique and Max?” she asked.
Jackson hesitated. “The party was a smash, and Evan and Olivia got engaged, so Nika’s happy about that but upset about Junior League.”
“Then she should have said no when I asked her to join.”
“There’s some sort of old college classmate on the board. Her competitive streak kicked in, but now she’s regretting it.”
“I’m sure she’ll think of something,” said Eleanor with a shrug. “As long as she brings in the donations for me, she may burn them to the ground for all I care. They were always an elitist bunch.”
“I shall pass that along,” said Jackson.
“And how are things with Max? The last time I spoke with her, I got the impression that his admittance to law school was delaying wedding bells for them, and she was upset about it. I was trying not to comment on that since I thought she wanted him to go to law school, and I thought she and his father were of one mind on this topic.”
“I thought all three of you were of one mind on the topic,” said Jackson dryly.
“Well, of course,Iprefer it. US Marshal is an admirable profession, but law is a career. Also, it’s much, much safer. And he really is such a dear boy. So level-headed and smart. He’ll do well.” Eleanor paused as if considering. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Dominique has her sights set on him being a judge. I imagine she didn’t realize getting her way on law school would mean doing things on his timeline. She picked out someone stable and found out she can’t push him over.”
Jackson laughed. Eleanor was right about Max, even if she hadn’t quite figured out Dominque.
“And how is the children’s futile attempt at finding you a girlfriend going?” she asked, looking at him with a distinct twinkle in her eye.
“Horribly,” said Jackson. “Please tell me you didn’t sign off on that.”
“I have suggested on more than one occasion that they should not make the effort, but they don’t seem to listen.”
“Last night was a Chelsea.”
Eleanor shook her head. “I cannot have a Chelsea at the dinner table.”
“I can’t have a Chelsea anywhere,” said Jackson. “I think it’s mostly Aiden and Dominique, but Evan’s put forth a few candidates. His are better, but….” Jackson shook his head.
Not that he was doing so great on his own. He usually had a list of friendly faces that could be counted on for some no-strings mattress time. His main go-to had been the wife of an ambassador who had no interest in leaving her husband. It had been the perfect arrangement until her husband had been reassigned to another country six months ago. And Jackson had to admit that some of the girls his cousins had been flinging at him had been worth someone’s time, but it wasn’t him. He needed someone who fit his schedule, didn’t mind if he disappeared for a few days or weeks at a time, and didn’t expect him to show up to be supportive of whatever the fuck they were into. The idea of putting in the work to get to know someone sounded physically and mentally exhausting. He had a full crew of security operatives, his cousins, and his grandmother to look after. Adding one more person was not on his list of things to do.
“I could try talking to them again?” offered Eleanor, but she didn’t look like she thought it would work.
“Don’t bother,” he said. “They won’t listen.”
She shrugged. “Well, other than their atrocious attempts at playing Cupid. They’re well?”
“Basically, everyone is fine except you,” said Jackson.
“Which brings me back to cursed,” said Eleanor. “I don’t understand how it’s four years later, and I’m still dealing with this Absolex nonsense.”
“I offered you a witch, but you said no.”
Eleanor gave him a look, and Jackson grinned. “I’ll find the files,” he said, standing up.
“I’m sure you will,” said Eleanor. “I just hope they’ll be worth the effort.”
Jackson nodded. He hoped so too, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was looming on the horizon. Perhaps it was that everything was going too well. Maybe it was just the Ukrainian in him, but whatever it was, he wanted to shore up the family’s defenses before whatever storm was coming opened up on them.
4
