Page 73 of An Improper Deal (Elliot & Annabelle 1)
Elizabeth is the first to arrive. Elliot was right about her outfit. She’s in a pink dress a lot like the one I was going to wear. She’s carrying a bottle of red, which Elliot accepts with a hum of appreciation and a squeezing arm around her shoulders.
She gives me a hug. “Welcome to the family.” She also puts her arms around Nonny, who has finally emerged from the bathroom. “Hey there. You’re looking gorgeous.”
“You think so?” Anxiety laces my sister’s voice. “You can’t see anything on my forehead?”
Elizabeth frowns. “No. What am I looking for?”
“Before you ask, her vision’s fine,” Elliot says dryly, making me chortle.
Nonny sticks her tongue out at him.
“Ryder?” Elliot says, and my sister’s head swivels back to him.
“Not here yet? He texted me and said he was going to be late.”
Nonny’s eyes go wide. “How late?”
“Oh, he’ll be in time for dinner,” Elliot says with a snort. “He loves free food.”
“If it’s gourmet,” Elizabeth adds. She looks at the flowers and the table. “Wow, you did amazing. I love how intimate and elegant this is.”
I flush. “Thank you.”
The next guest is Blake Pryce-Reed. He’s Elizabeth’s oldest brother, but looks nothing like her or Elliot. Something about his features does remind me of Ryder Reed; he has the same distinctive profile. Blake is in black, and with his near-black hair, he looks forbidding. It doesn’t help that he stands with an entitled arrogance and hauteur, his lean, muscular body tall, spine straight. The corners of his mouth lift in what I guess is supposed to be a smile, but the cool grimness on his face ruins the effort. “So. You’re the bride.”
I tilt my chin. “Yes.”
“I can’t decide between congratulations or condolences.”
“You’re such an ass,” Elliot says.
“If honesty makes one an ass…”
“No wonder you’re friendly with that sociopath.”
Blake snorts. “Don’t let Ryder’s bias mess with your judgment. That ‘sociopath’ may become your brother-in-law.”
Elliot laughs. “Not unless Lucas decides to start playing for the other team.”
“Dane’s going to marry Sophia.”
Elliot’s eyes almost bug out. “What?” It’s the first time I’ve seen him really surprised by anything. “Are they both high?”
“Quite sober, last time I saw them.”
My mind blanks for a moment, then horror seeps into me. “Who’s Sophia? Is she your sister?” Elliot didn’t say anything about another sister, so the poor woman wasn’t even invited.
“Half-sister,” Elliot says. “And cousin. Told you it was messy. But I don’t know her that well, and I’m certain she has no interest in attending this dinner. Dane, either.” He adds, “He’s a cousin on the Pryce side of the family. Thankfully he’s not my cousin.”
My head spins with the info. Good god. What a contorted family tree.
“Is Dad going to show?” Blake asks.
“Yes, along with Number Six.”
“Marvelous. Hopefully she’ll get drunk and pass out quickly.” He stalks away.
“Wow. Why does he hate her so much?” I ask.
