Secrets Of The A-List. Michelle Major
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all of that shopping for the wedding. Do you think Elana and Thom will really go through with it?”
“The wedding?” Gabe asked, although he understood Luc’s question. But he wanted to draw out his cousin and determine if Luc had any idea of the secret Thom was keeping from his bride-to-be.
“Yes, the wedding. Can you really imagine Elana settling down to domestic bliss? Thom’s a nice guy, but my sister has never had a thing for nice guys. Not for long, anyway. He might be a little too much on the straight and narrow to keep her attention.”
Gabe hid his smile. Clearly Luc had no idea that Elana’s fiancé wasn’t on the straight path to anything. “Thom definitely made a mess of things at the engagement party. Maybe you’re not the only one who’s worried about Elana getting cold feet.”
“Chances are the reality of what Thom is taking on with Elana has finally started to sink in. The Marshalls and the Scotts have always been friends, but this wedding will take things to a new level. Thom is going to have his hands full. He might care about Elana, but that doesn’t mean he’ll want to deal with her shenanigans for the rest of his life. Our mom is old-fashioned in her opinion of marriage. If she has her way, Elana and Thom will be tied together forever.”
“You paint a dismal picture of wedded bliss,” Gabe said quietly.
“I’ve got nothing against marriage. But you have to choose the person who’s the best fit. If a man is going to spend an entire life with one woman, he’d damn well better make sure he picks the right one.”
“What about you?” Gabe reached down and trailed a casual finger along the cool marble of the ornate side table. “Have you found the right woman?”
Luc took a step back and stared at Gabe, mouth agape. Gabe couldn’t remember a time when he’d seen his normally calm, cool and collected cousin look so unnerved. Even at his father’s bedside, Luc had managed to keep his emotions in check. But now color poured into his cheeks, and his chest rose and fell in shallow breaths.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Luc answered, crossing his arms over his chest.
Gabe shrugged. “Rachel dropped a few not-so-subtle hints at the engagement party. She’s pretty sure a ring is in her future.”
“Rachel,” Luc repeated on an exaggerated breath. Gabe could almost see the tension leaving his shoulders. “Of course.”
“Of course you’re planning to propose?”
Luc dropped his hands to his side as he moved toward the picture window that overlooked the mansion’s elegantly landscaped front yard. He stared out into the crisp California sun for a few moments, as if contemplating his answer.
Gabe waited. He was good at waiting.
“I suppose an engagement will happen sooner than later,” Luc conceded, turning back to Gabe. “Rachel’s beautiful and comes with an impeccable pedigree. She’ll be an asset as a wife.”
“That’s an interesting way of looking at it,” Gabe said with a smile. “Are you planning a romantic proposal or a business transaction?”
“It goes without saying that I care about her,” Luc added, but there was no emotion lighting his gaze or voice. Vastly different from how he’d looked when Gabe first walked in on Vanessa and him arguing. Interesting, indeed.
Gabe had made a habit of covertly reviewing the applications of anyone who applied for a staff position within the Marshall household. Nothing about Vanessa had caught his eye, but perhaps it was time he took a closer look at her background. Life was often like a game of chess, and nothing took the place of understanding all the players on the board.
“Have you found any more information on the Fixer?” Luc moved forward, running a hand through his dark hair. His tone communicated that the conversation about his love life had come to a decisive end.
No matter to Gabe. Luc had told him plenty without saying a word.
“I have some feelers out there. It’s an odd balance, you know, looking for information on this mystery person without tipping them off to our suspicions.”
“I understand.” Luc sighed. “It’s still difficult to believe the Fixer has operated all these years without anyone but my father knowing their true identity.”
Gabe nodded even as pride welled in his chest. He was a master at what he did, and it was continually satisfying to know how much power he wielded without anyone being the wiser. Anyone but Thom, he amended to himself. But Elana’s fiancé would be handled, one way or another.
He decided to do a little fishing with Luc to determine if anyone else had theories as to the Fixer’s identity.
“It’s likely the Fixer is someone close to the family. Given the influence he or she exerts within the business, chances are the Fixer has been hiding in plain sight all these years.”
Luc rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. “That’s disturbing.”
“I suppose,” Gabe admitted. “But we can’t ignore anyone until we have firmer leads on the Fixer’s identity. He or she could be someone who works for the business in a legitimate capacity. Or maybe here on staff?” He raised a brow. “Perhaps someone like Vanessa?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Luc said, amusement coloring his tone. “She hardly fits the profile. I think you’re definitely overestimating my mother’s housekeeper.”
Just as you have underestimated me for years, Gabe thought silently. Decades-old anger made his gut clench, and he worked to keep his features placid. He’d thought they were best friends once. He’d been wrong. Luc had never seen him as anything more than a poor relation, a charity case taken in by the Marshalls and offering nothing in return.
But Gabe had made himself indispensable. He was the real power, and he’d protect his place in the business no matter who opposed him.
His aunt had always favored him. Part of why he’d taken on so much was to make himself worthy of all that Mariella had given him. At the end of the day, she and Harrison were the only two that counted.
Luc could be managed. Everyone could be managed. That was the Fixer’s expertise.
“I’ll keep searching for information,” Gabe told his cousin, earning a paternal nod that made his jaw ache with simmering tension.
“Keep me updated on any developments.” Luc made a show of checking his watch, clearly communicating that Gabe was being dismissed.
“I came to the house to speak to your mother,” he said before Luc had the chance to actually send him away. “Have you seen her?”
“Vanessa said...” Luc began then paused and cleared his throat. “The last I heard she was out at the pool. You might start there.”
“Thanks.” Gabe started down the hall that led to the rear of the mansion.
Luc could believe whatever he wanted about who was in charge. Gabe knew he was the one calling the shots. The thought calmed him. With a slight smile at how shocked everyone would be to learn the truth, he went searching for his aunt.
* * *
Mariella’s pulse raced as Joe trailed kisses along her neck and down into the deep V of her bikini top. She should stop this now, but Joe’s mouth on her body felt so good.
Backing up until her legs hit the soft fabric of the bed’s comforter, she kept her fingers interlaced with Joe’s. Concerned about being seen from the mansion’s windows, she’d led her husband’s best friend away from the pool, through the house and to her bedroom.
The bedroom she’d shared with Harrison for more years than she cared to count.
A sliver of guilt snaked a path along her spine, quickly chased away by Joe’s deep kisses.
“Christ, you’re beautiful,” he whispered,