Christopher, their butler, welcomed him home and informed him that everyone was in the dining room in the east wing. When he got there, Matthew, Catherine, and Christina were already seated. Catherine was in the middle of a story and Christina threw her head back and laughed. She looked gorgeous, with her blonde hair pinned up, and her blue, off-the-shoulder dress showing off her collarbones and an expanse of creamy skin. But it wasn’t her outfit that made her beautiful. Rather, it was the genuine smile on her face, which promptly disappeared the moment her cool eyes landed on him.
“Nice of you to join us,” Matthew said, raising a glass to him.
“How could I say no?” he said. Looking at the table, he saw that the empty place setting was right next to Christina. He sat down and flashed her a smile. “Did you get some rest?”
“I did, thank you,” she said, taking a sip of her wine, her eyes carefully avoiding his.
“So,” Matthew began. “Catherine was telling me about all the trouble she and Christina got into while they were in boarding school.”
“All the trouble she got us into, you mean,” Christina said wryly. “I only snuck out with her to make sure she didn’t do anything too crazy.”
Catherine giggled. “Oh c’mon, you had fun too.” She turned to Matthew. “I know you’re a stickler for rules, like my sister here, but don’t tell me you’ve never had any wild stories from your youth?”
Matthew shook his head. “Wild stories are more of Jason’s thing.”
“Oh really?” Catherine asked. “Do tell.”
“Well, there was that time during our senior trip in California…”
Jason groaned. “Don’t.” Normally, he didn’t care about his reputation, but now wasn’t the time for this particular story.
“What?” Matthew asked. “It wasn’t that bad. Compared to all your other shenanigans later in life.”
“So what happened?” Catherine asked.
“Basically, Jason came up with the idea of sneaking out and breaking into Disneyland after hours.”
“No!” Catherine laughed. “Really?”
“Yes. He shifted, flew over the fence, and then turned off the security system.”
“Did he get caught?” Christina asked.
“Oh yeah, the cameras caught him,” Matthew said. “Mom and Dad swooped in and saved the day, of course. Grounded both of us for a month.”
“Both of you?” Catherine exclaimed. “Why?”
“Because he wouldn’t rat me out,” Jason said. “They couldn’t tell which one of us did it, though they both knew it was probably me.”
“And why would you do that?” Catherine asked.
Matthew laughed. “Because Jason did it for me.”
“He what?”
“I was the good kid, you know? Stayed at home to do homework. Straight A student.” Matthew said. “Never did anything crazy or stupid. And I told him that it was the one thing I admired about him—not the stupid part, of course.”
“Thanks,” Jason said sarcastically.
“It was also the one thing I regretted. Not letting go and just being a kid. We were graduating that spring, after all.” He gave Jason a warm smile. “And so Jason pretended to be me, snuck everyone into Disneyland, and basically everyone thought I was the coolest guy in school when we got back.”
“Awww,” Catherine said. “That’s so sweet.”
“You also scored with Jenny Davis on Space Mountain,” Jason pointed out.
“It was ‘It’s a Small World’ actually,” Matthew corrected.
“Oh really?” Catherine asked, her brow raised.
“That was a long time ago, sweetheart.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Besides,” he turned back to Jason. “I know what you did with Carmen Perez on the Jungle Cruise.”
Jason laughed. “Touché.”
The rest of the evening didn’t turn out so badly. The food was excellent, as always. Meg had prepared roast lamb with rice and vegetables, plus bread pudding with ice cream for dessert. Matthew and Catherine kept the conversation going, and if they noticed that Christina and Jason weren’t speaking to each other directly, they didn’t say anything.
The thought irritated him. He was right beside her, but it was like he wasn’t even there. His dragon must really be fucked up if this woman was supposed to be his mate. She was civil enough, but again, it was the indifference that was driving him crazy.
“Do you want to stay for a nightcap?” Matthew asked when they finished putting away the dishes. Meg, Christopher, and the rest of the staff had retired long ago, and so they had to clean up after themselves.
“Nah, I should head home.”
“Okay, but let me walk you out.” Matthew then turned to Christina and Catherine. “And you girls?”
“We have wedding stuff to do,” Catherine said. “I need to go over a few things with Christina.”
“All right, you go ahead then.” He gave Catherine a quick kiss and then the girls left. “Did you find anything else about the accident?” Matthew asked as they walked out of the east wing.
Jason shook his head. “No, nothing new. I can’t talk to our guys yet, they were recovering when I got there. Maybe tomorrow.”
“Keep me posted.”
They reached the front door, but before Jason could open it, Matthew cleared his throat. “Wait.”
“Yes?” he asked impatiently.
“There’s one more thing we should talk about.”
“What?”
“Christina.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Jason said. “I should get going.” But, as he opened the door, Matthew reached over his shoulder and slammed it shut. “What the hell?”
“Jason, we need to talk about this.”
“About what, exactly?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“About what happened. And the fact that she can tell us apart.”
“I told you, it was a fluke.”
“Then why do you shut down every time we mention her name? And why has your dragon been difficult the past few weeks? Don’t deny it.”
“It’s nothing,” he said defensively.
“Look, if she’s your mate—”
“She’s not,” he said flatly.
“But what if she is? Why are you denying yourself? Why would you deny her the chance to have a mate and share love—”
“First of all,” Jason said, cutting him off. “This is none of your business. Second, in case you didn’t notice, she hates me.” And that truth cut him deep.
“She does not—”
“Will you let me finish? Lastly, I don’t need a mate. I don’t want a mate.” He huffed. “My life is fine the way it is.”
“Is it?” Matthew asked. “Running around screwing girls left and right, spinning your wheels? Is that what you want the rest of your life?”
“For God’s sake, are you going to turn into one of those married people? The one who thinks everyone should be paired off and pop out a bunch of kids and live happily ever after?”
“I don’t mean to judge you,” Matthew said. “Hell, you were the one who told me to go after Catherine, remember? I just thought, I’ve never been happier in my whole life, and that’s all thanks to her. Is it wrong that I want that for you? My own brother?”
Jason sighed. “I am happy, the way I am. I don’t want things to change.”
Matthew shook his head in resignation. “Fine, I won’t press it.”
“Good.” But Jason didn’t feel any relief. In fact, the heaviness pressing on his chest grew. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Matthew.”
“Goodnight, Jason.”
Chapter 4
“I really don’t see why we have to stay in Blackstone to go dress shopping,” Christina said as they walked down Main Street. Catherine had driven them to the downtown area and parked a few blocks away from the wedding shop. “You know dad would have lent us the jet to go to Paris or London so you could have your trousseau. Mama would have w
anted you to have the best.”
“Chrissy,” her sister said in an impatient voice. “This is a legit bridal shop, I swear. And the owner is really nice. She has all the latest gowns from New York and LA. Besides, I wanted you to meet the girls, and Sybil and Kate can’t just take off a few days to go with us to Paris.”
Christina snorted. “Fine.”
“C’mon, we’re already running late. And we still have to look over the flowers after this. If you’d have woken up on time—”
“I’m jet-lagged and tired,” Christina whined. “Give me a break.”
Irritation had been building in her since she arrived in Blackstone. Aside from having another confrontation Jason, Catherine was taking her sweet time. It turned out the wedding emergency that meant she couldn’t pick her up from the airport was merely a case of the caterer throwing a fit over the lack of enoki mushrooms for the appetizers. When Catherine had finally arrived at Blackstone Castle two hours after Christina did, all she would talk about was Matthew and Blackstone, and all her new friends.
Christina knew that after being apart for a year, her sister would have changed, but she just hadn’t realized how much. She wanted her sister back. She didn’t want to feel resentful, but she wished it was like old times. Just her, Catherine, Cordy, their brothers, and Papa back home in Lykos.
“Catherine!” A petite older woman greeted when they entered The Foxy Bridal Boutique. “I’m glad you made it!”
“Sorry we’re late, Angela,” she said. “This is my sister, Christina.”
“Nice to meet you,” Angela said, extending her hand.
“Likewise.” Christina took the other woman’s hand gingerly. Maybe it was because she’d been around them all her life, but her instinct told her what the woman was. Shifter. Based on the cheeky little animal emblazoned on the boutique’s sign, it was easy to guess what kind.
“Oh, you two are just gorgeous! Twins! And you’re marrying a twin,” Angela giggled then winked at Christina. “Care to make it a double wedding?”
“Er, no,” she said coldly, ignoring the woman’s puzzled look. “So, are we going to try on dresses or just stand here doing nothing?”
“Christina,” Catherine hissed. “Sorry, Angela. She hasn’t had her cup of coffee yet, hence the crankiness.”
“That’s quite all right,” Angela said with a smile. “Your friends are already inside the dressing room.” She pointed toward the door on the other side of the main floor. “Go right ahead and I’ll take out the dresses.”
“Thank you.”
Catherine tugged her toward the dressing room, and as soon as her sister opened the door, she knew this was a mistake. “Oh no. Them?” The two women waiting inside were very familiar.
Her sister gave her a puzzled look. “You’ve met Sybil and Kate?”
“You could say that.” They were there the day she arrived at Blackstone Hospital and had her confrontation with Matthew. Apparently, they were all part of the conspiracy to get her away.
“Catherine!” One of the women hopped up from the couch, champagne glass in hand. “We started the party without you!” The bubble drink sloshed over the side of the glass, nearly spilling on Christina as the exuberant young woman hugged Catherine. “Where the hell have you been? Oh,” she said when she looked at Christina. “Nice to see you. Again. Maybe we can be introduced this time.”
“Chrissy,” Catherine said. “This is Kate Caldwell.”
“Hello, Kate.” Another shifter, of course.
“Chrissy, good to meet you.”
“Actually, only I get to call her Chrissy,” Catherine laughed. “She hates it when anyone else shortens her name.”
“Well, we can change that, can’t we?” Kate asked, her green eyes twinkling. “After all, we’ve already plotted against her, poisoned her bodyguard, and now we’re all going to be family.”
“Please excuse my friend,” the other woman interrupted as she came over to them. “She thought it was a good idea to start on the champagne.”
“At ten in the morning?” Christina asked.
“No better time!” Kate said as she grabbed the bottle from the bucket and topped off her glass.
The other young woman rolled her eyes then turned to Christina. “I’m Sybil.”
Now that she had time for more than a fleeting glance, there was no mistaking who Sybil was related to. Silvery-gray eyes. Dark hair. That stubborn chin and full mouth. “You’re Jason and Matthew’s sister.” Of course, she was a shifter as well. A rare female dragon.
She nodded. “Yup.” Instead of offering her hand she hugged Christina. “It’s nice to be introduced to you. And I’m really happy to be gaining not just one, but two sisters.”
“Technically, only Catherine will be your sister-in-law,” Kate pointed out.
“Technical, schmecnical,” Sybil said. “It’ll be awesome. More girls in the family. I’m so done with being outnumbered. And you have another sister, right?”
“Cordelia. Cordy,” Catherine said. “She’ll be here before the wedding, with Papa and our brothers.”
“Awesome! Are your brothers hot?” Kate asked.
“Kate!”
A delicate throat clearing caught their attention. “Excuse me, ladies. I’m so sorry to rush, but I do have another appointment after you.” Angela had come in with a rack of dresses. “I’ll do my best to delay them.”
“I’m really sorry, Angela,” Catherine said. “We’ll try to finish right away.”
“You can always come in another day,” Angela said. “I’ll work day and night to have the dress finished in time.”
“You don’t have to, really. I’ll find something today.” Catherine walked over to the rack of dresses. “These are all beautiful. I don’t know where to begin.” She picked something out of the rack, something long with a delicately beaded belt. “What do you think?” she asked them.
“Try it on!” Kate urged. “C’mon, I didn’t get up early for nothing!”
“Kate, you live five minutes from here,” Sybil pointed out. “You were up at nine, tops.”
“Meh.” She took another sip of champagne. “On with the show.”
Catherine disappeared into the back with Angela and the dress, while the rest of them sat down on the comfy couch.
“Champagne?” Kate offered.
“No, thank you,” Christina said.
“More for me then,” the younger woman said cheerfully.
Christina rolled her eyes. Sybil seemed nice enough, but this Kate … she wasn’t sure what to think of her. She was coarse, inappropriate, and too familiar. She couldn’t believe that she had to share this special moment with these people. It should have been her, Cordy, and if she were alive, Mama, watching Catherine try on dresses for her big day.
“What do you think?”
Christina looked up, watching as her sister paraded the gown she’d selected. A lump caught in her throat. Catherine had never looked more beautiful, and it wasn’t just the dress. Her face was glowing and her eyes sparkled. For the first time, she realized that yes, Catherine had changed—she was truly happy. She was free, not stifled as she had been back in Lykos. “Catherine … you look … ”
“Perfect,” Angela finished, beaming at them.
Christina nodded and sniffed. She stood up and walked toward her sister. Catherine pulled her in for a hug. “I think … Mama would have … ”
“I know,” Catherine said, as she pulled away. There were tears forming in her eyes. “But you’re here, with me. That’s all that matters.”
Shame filled her, and Christina realized how selfish she’d been. She should be happy that Catherine had finally found a place where she belonged, with someone she loved. Matthew Lennox really was a good man and she knew her sister would always be loved and safe with him.
Angela handed them a tissue. “Don’t worry, ladies, I’m always prepared.”
Everyone burst into laughter, and Christina accepted the tissue gratefully and wiped he
r eyes.
“Ugh, c’mon,” Kate said. “Enough with this sentimental crap! We want more dresses! More dresses! More dresses!”
Sybil rolled her eyes and took the champagne glass away from Kate. “That’s enough. Time to sober up, Kate.”
The other woman pouted and sank down onto the couch. “You’re such a wet blanket.”
Catherine tried on several more gowns. Indeed, Angela had outdone herself. All the wedding gowns looked gorgeous on her.
“I just can’t decide,” she said as she tried on the last gown. “Should I try on my favorite ones again?”
“No, wait!” Kate said. “I have a better idea. You need to be able to see what you look like from other people’s perspective.”
“And how is she supposed to do that?” Sybil asked.
“Duh,” Kate jerked a thumb at Christina. “Catherine has a real live look-alike mannequin.”
“Huh?” Sybil asked.
“That’s a great idea!” Catherine clapped her hands together. “Chrissy, you try the gowns and then I can see how it looks on me.”
Christina’s eyes widened. “No way. I’m not trying on wedding gowns!”
“Please, Chrissy?”
“Yes,” Kate said. “Please, Chrissy?”
Christina looked at Angela. “Surely you have some store policy against that?”
The fox shifter shook her head. “Not at all. I think it’s a great idea.”
“Yay!” Kate stood up and grabbed one of the dresses. “Let’s go, Chrissy.”
Christina had trained during the past year to be a field agent, working out and even going to boot camp for a month with other recruits. Her brothers had also taught her self-defense and martial arts for years before that. Still, she was no match for Kate’s brute strength and sheer determination, and found herself being dragged into the back of the dressing room.
“What are you—hey!”
Kate was unbuttoning the front of her blouse. “You’re not shy, are you? Don’t worry, I don’t play for the other team. Though I have to admit, your tits are pretty hot.”
“What? Stop it!” But Kate was relentless and had already made quick work of her blouse. “Fine! Just let me do it,” she grumbled. There was no way she was getting out of this, so she quickly undressed and put on the gown. It was the third one Catherine had tried. The top was made entirely of lace with a sweetheart neckline and puffy ball gown skirt with a long train.
The Blackstone Bad Dragon Page 4
