Page 4 of His Brother's Wife
“She’s no kid.”
Olivier’s eyes opened wide. “You don’t like her?”
“I didn’t say that. I just meant, she’s a grown woman. She knew what she was getting into.”
Olivier chewed his lip for a moment. “She did it for her sister, Enda.”
Enda nodded. “I’m just saying …it sucks for her.”
“Yep.”
They paused while the waiter brought their wine and they ordered their food. Enda sat back and took a slug of red wine. “She’s beautiful.”
“Who?”
Enda rolled his eyes. “Our brother’s new wife.”
“Of course. Sorry. Yes, she is. Also, brilliant, funny, and smart.”
Enda nodded. “She also seems to have …what is the word …empathy?” He pronounced it ‘em-patty.’
“Like I said, she’s a sweetheart.”
“You like her?” Enda grinned at Olivier’s eye-roll.
“As mysister, yes.” Olivier chuckled. “If it’s any of your business, I’m seeing someone.”
“Oh, yes? Wait, please tell me it’s not that blonde from the reality show?”
Olivier laughed. “No. That was …jeez, what was I thinking? Anyway, no. She’s a journalist from San Diego. Helena. Early days, but yeah, she’s cool.”
Enda looked skeptical. “A journalist?”
Olivier grinned. “Not that kind. She’s focused on business and financial stuff. I like her.” Their food arrived then—steamed salmon for Olivier, rare, bloody steak and garlic butter for Enda. Olivier shook his head, laughing. “Dude, you are a walking heart attack.”
Enda grinned, his smile lighting up his intense features. “Hedonism is my default position.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Olivier cleared his throat. “So, what did you think?”
“Of what?”
“Amalia.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“You said that.”
Enda shrugged. “I don’t know her, Olly. I barely spoke to her. If you tell me she is a good person, I believe you.”
Olivier speared some asparagus with his fork. “Enda …I’m worried. Lately, Jackson has been more …out of control than normal. This deal he made with Amalia’s father …you know he engineered it so that Ama was practically forced into this marriage.”
“Ama, is it now?” Enda teased his older half-brother, but then his smile faded. “That sounds just like Jackson, though. He always got what he wanted. Didn’t matter how.”
Olivier sighed. “I know, but this is a person we’re talking about. If and when she does something he doesn’t like …Enda, he has addictions. Cocaine, for one. And this thing with Ama …he’sobsessedwith her. I’m worried.”
Enda looked away from his brother’s gaze. “What can I do?”
“Stick around ‘Frisco for a few months. Help me keep Jackson on a steady keel. See how the land lies.”
