Of the five of us, Lucas is the one who might balk at playing ball…even if it means nobody inherits Grandpa’s legacy. It isn’t because he doesn’t care about Grandpa. Lucas adored him, just like rest of us. But ever since his accident, he’s changed—withdrawn and harsh.
None of us knows what happened, not even Elliot, but it kills me a little bit to see him like that. Lucas used to be so much more fun, bright and happy despite all the bullshit we had to grow up with.
“I’m having my attorney draft an agreement to ensure he actually hands them over.” Blake glares at Dad’s chair. “I don’t trust him…or his new wife.”
“If she knows how much they’re worth, she might talk Julian into not giving them up,” I say. Our grandfather, Thomas Reed, was a world-renowned painter. Each of the portraits is probably worth at least fifty million. “He sure knows how to pick them.”
Elizabeth sighs. “His wives are getting younger, greedier and dumber.”
“It doesn’t matter. This is nothing but mental masturbation,” Lucas says. “I’m not doing it.”
“You’re not?” She stares at him. “But you heard him. If you don’t do it, none of us has a chance.”
“Sorry. I know it’s important to you, but marriage isn’t something I can handle.”
“You don’t have to marry for real,” Elliot says. “Just get a good prenup in place, and you can ditch her after a year.”
Lucas grimaces. “Look how that’s working out for Uncle Salazar.”
“That’s a different situation. Prenups are working fine for our father,” I say. I have no idea what the hell’s going on with Salazar’s marriage, but I’m not letting it mess with Lucas’s head. He’s already messed up enough. “I can even recommend a good lawyer for that kind of stuff.”
“No. It’s not like that.” Lucas gets up. “Sorry I can’t. I gotta go. I have a plane to catch.” He walks out, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
Elliot drags his thick, blunt fingers through his shaggy hair. “Don’t worry. He’ll come around. I’ll talk with him later.”
“You sure?” Elizabeth says, a frown pinching her brow.
“Yup. And I’m so convinced he’s going to come around that I’m starting wife hunting tonight.”
I know what Elliot is doing. He isn’t going to just talk to Lucas. He’s going to marry ASAP to show Lucas that these marriages aren’t something we can just think about, but have to do.
“Sure, why wait? Online dating sites are open twenty-four seven,” Blake says.
“Nah. I’m hitting some strip clubs.” Elliot’s eyes gleam. “I want to check out my future bride in person.”
“Oh, lord.” Elizabeth puts a hand to her forehead. “Just don’t release any tapes. I’m permanently scarred from your last one.”
“Ah, so you watched it. Figures,” Elliot says.
“I saw your name and clicked on it before I knew what it was! Now I need therapy.”
“Why? It was hot,” Elliot says.
I just laugh. He released a sex tape with him fooling around with two very naughty girls. Dad denied it was Elliot—the movie was a bit grainy—but I recognized the tats.
“Not just my opinion.” Elliot jerks his chin my way. “Ryder sent me a bottle of Dom Pérignon.”
“You’re always encouraging him!” Elizabeth shoots me a look full of censure.
“It was a congratulatory gift for doing something that I couldn’t. But let’s get back to business here. Where am I going to find someone I want to marry for a year?” Given my job and status, a stripper’s not going to work.
“Want some of my leftovers?” Elliot says. “They’re so dumb, they won’
t know what they’re doing even as they recite the vows.”
Elizabeth’s face scrunches. “That’s really not something to be proud of.”
“Sure it is.” Elliot grins. “You know how hard it is to find a girl that stupid but hot and available?”