Matt shot his angry gaze at Abbott for calling out his bad timing. “I was planning on proposing; the time was just not right.”
No time would have been right with that barracuda.” Rafe added his two cents in, and he inwardly groaned. Nova was a sore spot with Rafe and Abbott, as both didn’t like her.
The tension in the air became thicker as his two brother’s exchanged more heated words and his own troubles forgotten, he became worried and focused on the pair wearing identical, angry expressions.
He tensed up ready to intervene if the situation spiraled out of control and come to blows in the limo.
It didn’t take long; his brother Matt leapt out of his seat, but Colin easily grabbed their brother’s arm, pulling him back down. And of course, Rafe continued to be an ass. “I see you have learned nothing from when you tried to swing on me like you did the last time, just remember how that turned out.” Rafe sipped his champagne and pointed toward his eye as a reminder.
Matt glared and accused Rafe of being interested in stealing Nova for himself. The rest of them just stared at the absurd notion, while Rafe raised an eyebrow and scoffed.
“Guys, please, we are here to celebrate Colin’s wedding, not start a fight in a limo car.” Dyson intervened, leaning forward to pour himself a Diet Coke. Though Dyson’s work as a personal trainer meant he chose to stay away from alcohol, Colin and Jacob always suspected he didn’t want to end up like their father. Or Sierra.
Dyson’s plea seemed to have worked, though the whole car fell into a sombre silence.
“Why are we doing this anyway?” Rafe questioned, resting his elbows on his jean-clad knees and leaning forward to look to Jacob for answers.
Bronson also chimed in. “Jacob, were you able to talk to Grandfather again and change his mind? This whole thing is ludicrous.”
Jacob could understand Bronson’s frustration, being the youngest of them all and not ready to settle down. He was still in the middle of college, indulging in the freedom that offered. Bronson was also someone who took his time with everything, slow, not wanting to make a mistake by rushing into anything. His nickname from his brothers was “turtle.”
Jacob met each of their gazes, seeing hope in them and said a silent curse. “Yes, I tried, but Grandfather is holding firm.” His tone was clipped, and he dragged his hand through his hair—he hadn’t realized it was growing out again, but given his complicated family situation, a haircut had been the last thing on his mind.
“Did you tell Grandfather about Kaitlyn?” Dyson questioned. Jacob could have cursed again because now they would all hound him for information.
“No, I don’t want him to worry about that right now.” It was difficult enough handling their grandfather’s business ventures and thinking about the damn ultimatum. He didn’t need him involved there too. “Everything is going well, and I will tell him once we’re closer to the surgery date.”
Dyson didn’t drop the conversation, to Jacob’s dismay. “Where is Sierra staying while you wait for the operation?”
Jacob sighed, annoyed that he had to answer when he was still struggling with the choice himself. “She is staying at a hotel for now at my expense, but then moving in with us while they both recuperate. She will use the guest house by the pool.”
“Is that a wise decision having her so close?” Colin stared at him from across the car, his expression a blend of suspicion and concern.
Jacob sighed, taking another sip of his drink. “It’s the least I can do, especially since she doesn’t have any money andcan’t afford the physio that she still needs. She is walking now with the help of a cane.”
“Has she changed any?” Abbott asked.
He reached behind and almost pulled his hair out. He wasn’t keen on lying to his brothers, but the truth would only prolong the conversation. Jacob lowered his hand when he realized what he was doing. Annoyed now for his open display of weakness, his voice came out sharper than he intended. “I don’t know nor care. The only thing I need from her is the marrow and then after she is well enough to travel, I will be sending her back where she belongs.” Their questions were making him uncomfortable. He almost let out a sigh of relief when they nodded in agreement and seemed to let it go.
“I can’t believe we all have to get married.” It was Rafe’s turn to rake his hands through his curly, dark locks. “And in such a short amount of time.”
The conversation turned to whether the others had any progress. Colin had been fortunate to make headway with Coco, but it seemed the rest were still struggling. Rafe reminded them that they still had their back-up plan—offering an agreement to a potential partner whereupon termination of the marriage, the divorcee would be set up for the rest of their lives.
“Yes, but that is cold, and Grandfather wants us to find love.” Matt piped up. There was an edge of sarcasm in his voice that Jacob understood. They all knew their grandfather had earnest intentions on wanting them to find that fairytale love, but forcing them to get married wasn’t the wisest decision bringing that about.
Colin seemed to have lucked out. Even though the relationship had started with blackmail, Jacob had noticed a genuine change in his brother. Particularly the way his eyeswould light up when he talked about Coco. It wasn’t a plot for him anymore.
As the brothers prodded Colin on his true feelings, he dropped new information on them: that their grandfather seemed to be smitten with Coco’s grandmother. Jacob smiled; it seemed the Barbados excursion was beneficial for more than just Colin.
“So that’s why Granddad said he had to go away for business when I called, and when I asked him about what, he told me to mind my business.” Matt laughed.
Jacob sat up straighter in his seat, suddenly reminded of a previous issue to discuss. “Which reminds me, how did the business with Normack go in London? And thank you for going in my place. Did he consider working with us?”
Matt nodded, no longer focused on his cell phone. He’d shifted into business mode. “Yes, our law department is going over the contract that Normack sent over from London and I am due to fly out again in two weeks to discuss our next step if the contract is okay.”
“When did you go to London?” Colin looked between them, a frown on his face. Jacob wasn’t sure why he looked bothered; he had his own affairs to deal with.
“Two months ago. When Jacob was searching for Sierra.” Matt’s expression shut down suddenly and Jacob peered at him. He hadn’t had much time to catch up with his brothers, but Colin had mentioned Matt acting strangely for the past couple of months. He’d thought it was about Nova but wasn’t so sure now.
