"Fuck." I press my fingers to the knot forming at my temples. "This is a fucking mess."
"Can I give you some advice?" Leo asks.
I laugh darkly. "From your many successful relationships?"
He glares. "Have Gemma come and help. She and Sera are close to the same age, and she might be able to soften things."
It's smart. After all, Gemma has always been better with people than I am. Where I threaten, she charms. Where Bianca manipulates, Gemma sympathizes. And if anyone knows what it's like to be used as a pawn, it's her.
"Let me make a call."
Gemma walks into the penthouse an hour later, her heels clicking across the tiles.
"Adrian!" She crosses the room immediately to hug me. "I heard about the wedding. The mansion is insane. I would be impressed if it wasn't terrifying."
I hug her back, breathing in the familiar scent of her perfume. My baby sister. The only person in this family I'd die for without hesitation.
"There hasn't even been time to call Luc. He's furious he won't be here."
I roll my eyes at the mention of my younger brother. Luc lives in LA where he spends more time fucking around than working. "Let him be furious. Last thing I need is him showing up drunk and making a scene."
"I need your help," I say, steering us away from the topic of our absent brother.
She pulls back, studying my face. "With?"
"Sera. My fiancée."
Gemma releases a heavy breath. "Have you thought about just letting her go?"
I give her a look. She knows it's never that simple. "She's pregnant, Gemma. She's carrying my heir, and even if Mother wasn't forcing the issue, not being married leaves her vulnerable."
For a moment, I wonder if Gemma is going to refuse. Leo's plan was solid—Sera is more likely to listen to Gemma than to me—but I can see the conflict in my sister's eyes. If she can't convince Sera to walk down the aisle, I'm going to have to press things in a way I don't want to think about.
"Tell me about her," Gemma says softly, breaking the tension.
"She's twenty-six. Restores rare books. She's smart, stubborn, and absolutely terrified." I run a hand through my hair. "And carrying my child."
"Do you love her?"
The question catches me off guard. "I barely know her."
"That's not what I asked."
I'm quiet for a moment. "I want her. I want to protect her. I want her to be mine."
"That's not love either."
"I know." I look at my sister. "But it's what I have to work with, and it's more than people like us usually get."
Gemma stiffens. Bianca has been arranging her future since she was born, just like mine, and Gemma is getting to the age where her own marriage is growing closer.
Gemma's expression softens. "And you need me to what? Convince her to go through with it?"
"I need you to help her get ready and make sure she shows up." Gemma wrinkles her nose in disgust, and I know she doesn't like what I'm asking. "You and I both know she doesn't really have a choice in this, Gem. Her brother's lifedepends on it. The baby's safety depends on it." I pause. "I'm not asking you to lie to her. I'm asking you to help her survive what's about to happen."
Gemma frowns. "Neither you nor Mother are going to harm her. Not while she's pregnant."
I close my eyes in frustration. The women in my life are exhausting.
