“He told me about you, but he never mentioned you were twins.”
“Identical.” Liam sighs, like it’s a burden. “Maybe we know each other better than you think,” he deadpans in his dry way, and Cora looks at me, shocked.
“Fuck off.” I lead her away from him.
I love Liam, but he’s a cold-hearted asshole who loves to play with his victims. No way am I submitting Cora to his kind of cynicism.
“We’re taking the same car,” he mumbles, trailing behind us.
“What pact was he talking about?” Cora asks.
“Never mind.” I put my hand on the small of her back, and nod to the footman who is holding the door for us.
“We vowed never to get married,” Liam says.
Cora picks up her skirt before she enters the car. “I thought if you were born to all of this”—she beckons her head toward the house—“you’re obliged to provide an heir.”
“She caught up fairly quickly. Beautiful and smart,” Liam says dryly, like the praise annoys him. It probably does.
“You’re awfully chatty today,” I quip. “What have you been drinking?”
“Enough to tolerate humanity, given the current social obligation.” He drops into the seat without ceremony.
“It’s our mom’s most important occasion of the year.” I take Cora’s hand in mine.
“Relax. You set the precedent.” He pulls out his phone and leaves the conversation.
Cora eyes me curiously.
“My brother hates events like this,” I explain.
“Oh, darling sis-in-law, the occasion might beperfectly palatable. It’s the people I hate. No offense.” Liam doesn’t even look up from the screen.
“None taken.” Cora smirks.
We spend the forty-minute ride in thick silence. Liam avoids small talk at all costs. Cora appears to be mesmerized by the scenery outside, though I guess it’s just to avoid eye contact. Not that my brother looks up.
I… I fucking regret letting Liam into this car. I need to talk to my wife. At this point, it might be the worst timing ever, but I can’t wait any longer.
“What did Nana Sybil want?” Cora turns to me.
“She wanted my advice on a gift for you.”
“Seriously? I don’t need any gifts.”
“Modesty. That’s new in this family,” Liam grumbles.
I ignore him. “She wants to welcome you to the family.”
“She doesn’t need to—”
“Do you want to tell her yourself?” I smirk.
Cora huffs. “Fair point. What was your advice?”
Just to deal with the internal turmoil, I lean in, my lips brushing her ear. “That I keep you naked most of the time, but jewelry suits you well even when spread-eagled for me.”
Cora gasps, a shudder reverberating through her body. “Xander,” she warns.
