Bella laughed, but her glee ended when she looked over his shoulder. Xander turned to see what had clipped her laughter. A slew of secret servicemen was entering the restaurant, which could only mean one thing. Victor had arrived. Since he’d won the republican presidential primary, the days of a small security detail of state police were over.
“They are a pain in the ass,” Bella complained. “I thought I was gonna have to get a cavity search to see Taylor the other day. I swear, I was debating on whether or not to invite Victor tonight.”
Xander chuckled. He’d experienced the same resistance. But he couldn’t blame his brother. Whether Victor knew it or not, his life had been planned out since the moment of his conception.”
“Can I have a vodka tonic?” Bella asked the bartender.
“Of course,” he said with a smile. “And, for you?” he asked, looking Xander’s way.
“Maker’s Mark with one ice cube.”
“Coming right up.”
“Here they come,” Bella muttered under her breath just as four secret servicemen approached.
It was a tall, black man that spoke. “Detective Deveraux, Mr. Creed, we need you to move to the private dining room now.”
Bella smiled politely before swiveling and turning her back to him. “We just ordered drinks,” she informed.
“No worries, ma’am. We’ll bring your drinks inside.” He gestured toward the private room. “Shall we?” he insisted.
When Victor stepped into the restaurant with Taylor by his side, Xander knew that any argument from Bella would be futile. To his relief, she grabbed her file and purse and allowed the secret service agents to usher her into the private dining room. She’d resigned herself to the realization that his brother, Governor Creed, the republican nominee for president. had just hijacked her fiancé's simple birthday dinner.
Xander threw his arm around Bella. “Come on, Sis. It’s par for the course of being part of such a powerful family. Trust me. Someday, it will have its advantages.”
He said it, but he didn’t necessarily believe it.
Xander was the chief operating officer of the family business, Brothers Creed Incorporated. With a master's degree in marketing for business from Yale University, he thought where better to use it than for the advancement of his family. But if the truth were to be told, starting his own marketing firm was on the horizon. But like his brother, his life had been mapped out and navigated by the family agenda. By all rights, they were the modern-day version of the Kennedys. All the Creed brothers had a part to play, and Victor’s part was commander in chief.
Xander felt a hand on his shoulder. “What’s on your mind, little brother?”
When he turned around, it was Lucas. Xander smiled and clutched his brother’s hand. “Just thinking about the Creed creed,” he responded.
Lucas cupped the back of his head and kissed his forehead. “I feel you,” he sympathized. “But it's my birthday. Let’s think about that tomorrow.”
“Yes,” Xander agreed. “Tomorrow.”
Lucas gave him a pat on the back. “My lady is over it, so, thanks.”
“No worries, brother. I got your back. Happy fortieth birthday.”
“Thanks. I feel like a grown-ass man.” Luca chuckled.
Xander laughed and shook his head. “Well, you ain’t. You’re the second model off the assembly line. Victor will always be the first.”
Lucas chuckled and smacked the back of Xander’s head. “I can live with that,” he affirmed. “In fact, I’m grateful. And I’ll bet you are too.”
Xander nodded because he was right. Lucas cupped Bella’s face and kissed her lips. He’d never seen his brother show affection publicly before meeting his fiancée. It was nice to see him so happy. He walked with his brother and Bella across the private dining room, wondering if he would ever experience that type of bliss. He could only hope. But falling in love aside, Lucas was right. If Xander had to have a role in the Creed legacy, he was immensely grateful that it wouldn’t be floating in the fishbowl of the presidency.
LUCAS
Lucas looked around the dining room and was surprised to find that Victor and Taylor had already arrived. Since he had been running late, he had rushed through the restaurant, not at all noticing Victor’s Secret Security detail. Normally, the agents were impossible to miss.
A server approached with a tray of champagne-filled flutes. “Would you like champagne?” she offered the three of them.
Xander accepted a glass.
Bella didn’t much like champagne.
