Page 13 of Secret Cinderella
Antonio scooted closer and lowered his voice. “A brother who’s capable of being a Morgan.”
Still his stomach twisted as he asked, “That’s it?”
Antonio continued drinking his wine and met his gaze directly, “Well, I expect you, your brothers, and sister to all show up at the family events. We’re a close-knit group and in being part of the American family, it’s almost like my own mother returned from the grave. She’d have enjoyed the family closeness.”
Jack’s brief search had led him to find out that Antonio’s mother in Italy had died. Jack bowed his head. “I’m sorry.”
Antonio stood and wiggled his finger for him to follow. Jack jumped out of his chair but decided to quickly text his siblings in the group family chat his whereabouts. “Don’t be. Let’s get you the clothes and car to be a Morgan. What is it you study?”
His half-brother directed them to leave the hotel room. Jack answered, “Mechanical Engineering. My brother William studied to be an aeronautical engineer and Finn’s in law school.”
Antonio motioned for Jack to hold the door while he grabbed his keys, phone, and wallet. “My brother Bartholomew and a few others are into inventions. The family does own a few banks that need lawyers. We’ll start the transformation with you.”
His group chat lit up and he responded with the developments. His older brothers wanted to meet up with them. “Actually, Will and Finn said they can join us.”
Antonio showed him an address near the river front and said, “Excellent. We’ll begin with the House of Morgan shipping center and use the clothing brand my brother Giovanni helped launch. We can have whatever we want there.”
Jack texted the address to the others while he asked, “Free?”
Antonio glanced at him like he was some benevolent older brother and explained, “It’s the family brand of clothing. You, your family, or even a girl you want to impress can get whatever you want.”
Good idea. Charlotte had been worried about what to wear and he’d taken too long to ensure she’d be at his ‘I’m a Morgan party’ tomorrow. He hadn’t figured out the perfect time to tell her the truth first.
If he hadn’t needed to bust up her dreams of Antonio, he’d have been at her house already.
His heart lifted that he could use his newfound wealth and status to help her without actually making her feel guilty for accepting. Charlotte had never enjoyed taking anything he’d ever bought for her as her pride always interfered. “So I can send some clothes for Charlotte too?”
Antonio led them to the elevator while he said, “All the courier needs is an address.”
They rode down to the lobby together and he put his hands in his jean pockets. If name brand packages arrived for Charlotte, her stepmother or stepsisters would attack her and wear whatever he sent. Or they’d figure out his change of status fast. His jaw tightened and he chose not to put Charlotte through that. “My mother’s. Charlotte can’t get anything nice where she lives.”
Antonio patted his back and directed them to the valet, not showing regret over losing Charlotte. “Sounds like you can be her knight in shining armor then. With you she gets to have it all. So let’s get started.”
The Aston Martin was brought around for them to the front of the hotel and he slid into the passenger seat, Antonio at the wheel.
The entire ride was surreal. The smell of fresh leather was nice and calming.
They drove to a warehouse where workers opened the double doors for them before they’d even parked.
The Aston Martin glided to a stop. He hopped out like he’d seen in the movies and laughed.
For the first time in a long time, his two older brothers wore expressions of sheer joy with no worries as they waited by the doors. He schooled his face and said, “Will, Finn. I’m glad you’re here.”
William hugged him and stared at Antonio like Will was still the man in charge, though since he and Finn were over eighteen, that wasn’t true. Will said, “Max, Lucy, and Mom are coming as they all need clothes for this party too.”
Antonio snapped and the workers bowed like he was a king as he led the way to the men’s section. The three of them fell back a few paces. Jack asked quietly, “What do you guys think of Antonio?”
Finn said, “I don’t know if we should trust him.”
If Antonio got to Charlotte then he’d lose the one person he’d ever loved. Jack needed to act fast but he asked his brothers, “Why?”
Will murmured, “Antonio said he idolizes our father. That’s not good.”
Will remembered their father the best as he was the oldest. Antonio led them to suits and tuxedos first but Jack quickly whispered to his other brothers, “So why are you here?”
Finn answered, “Because for better or worse we are all Morgans, so we might as well know the world. We need to learn. Have you seen your account this evening?”
Finding out where Antonio had been staying and talking in person had been paramount in his mind—not his bank balance. “No.”
