Page 106 of Chained By Fate (Dark Billionaires: Vegas #1)
“Which can wait until after food,” Daniel interrupted, entering with Jeremy in tow. Both carried enough take-out bags to feed a small army. “Doctor’s orders—food first, interrogation later.”
“It’s not interrogation,” Catherine protested. “I’m just getting to know my future son-in-law.”
Andy choked on air while Matt suddenly found the ceiling fascinating. Ryan’s cackling didn’t help.
“Catherine,” Richard warned, but his lips twitched.
“What? A mother can hope.” She patted Andy’s cheek. “Look how he blushes, Richard. Isn’t he adorable?”
“Mom,” Matt groaned, but he couldn’t help smiling as Andy’s blush deepened.
“Pardon the interruption.” Xavier appeared in the doorway, looking as impeccable as ever in his tailored suit—not a hair out of place despite having been involved in a shootout and rescue mission mere hours ago.
“James, the Palmer Project board is requesting an emergency meeting.” He glanced at Matt.
“In light of recent events, they want to discuss restructuring the project.” His emerald eyes swept the room, lingering a fraction too long on Ryan before addressing Matt directly.
“They’re suggesting a joint venture between Maxwell-Caine Group and Kingsley Tech.
Something about combining our security protocols after the… recent incident.”
Matt’s eyes narrowed slightly. The Palmer Project was his baby, a revolutionary hotel security system that would change the hospitality industry.
Having Xavier’s tech expertise would admittedly be valuable, but still…
He had to hand it to Xavier—the timing was impeccable.
No doubt he’d played on the board’s fears after Matt’s kidnapping, carefully planting the idea that dual leadership would prevent future disruptions.
It was a masterful move, really, though Matt suspected Xavier’s sudden interest in project security had more to do with getting closer to the younger Caine brother—who, despite his usual impeccable fashion sense, currently looked like he’d gotten dressed in a tornado during an earthquake—than any genuine concern about corporate governance.
As if to prove Matt’s point, Xavier’s gaze flickered briefly to Ryan, who suddenly seemed to notice his sartorial disaster and turned pink, fumbling to fix his inside-out, backward shirt while trying to appear casual about it.
“The board can’t make that decision without?—”
“Without your approval, of course,” Xavier cut in smoothly. “Hence why I’m here personally, but it can wait until you’re recovered.” He turned to Catherine with his trademark charm. “Mrs. Caine, wonderful to see you as always.”
“Xavier, darling!” Catherine beamed at him with the same affection she showed all her sons’ friends. “Perfect timing. You must join us for lunch.”
Matt noticed the quick glance Xavier shot toward Ryan again, who was suddenly very interested in his phone, a faint flush coloring his cheeks.
Ryan’s reaction was enlightening. He filed that observation away for later consideration—and possible leverage during future negotiations.
If Xavier thought he was the only one who could play strategic games, he was in for a surprise.
“Unfortunately, I have another engagement,” Xavier declined smoothly, though something flickered in his emerald eyes. “But I appreciate the invitation, as always. James, shall we discuss the preliminary terms?”
James stood, straightening his suit. “I’ll handle the board and draft the initial proposal,” he told Matt. “You focus on recovery. Andy, make sure he actually rests?”
Andy gave a mock salute. “I’ll sit on him if I have to.”
“That’s not the kind of rest I need,” Matt muttered, earning himself a scandalized “Matthew!” from his mother and a choking sound from Ryan.
As Xavier and James headed out, Matt caught the subtle way Xavier’s hand brushed against Ryan’s shoulder—so quick it could have been accidental.
From the pink tinge creeping up Ryan’s neck, it definitely wasn’t.
Matt’s jaw clenched reflexively—old protective instincts died hard.
But watching Ryan try to hide his flustered reaction, Matt had to admit that maybe he needed to reevaluate his stance on Xavier.
His baby brother wasn’t so much a baby anymore, and that blush…
well, that was something he’d never seen from Ryan before.
Catherine, who’d been watching the entire exchange with the shrewd observation skills only a mother could possess, had that look in her eyes that usually preceded a lengthy discussion about her sons’ love lives.
“Mom,” Matt interrupted, recognizing the beginning of one of her favorite lectures. “Maybe we could focus on lunch before it gets cold?”
“Speaking of progress,” Jeremy cut in, distributing containers of food, “when are they springing you?”
“Tomorrow,” Matt said firmly.
“Three days minimum,” the doctor corrected from where he was updating the chart, apparently immune to the Caine family chaos.
Andy moved to perch on the edge of Matt’s bed, careful of the IV lines. His hand found Matt’s, warm and solid and real. “Three days,” he agreed, his tone brooking no argument.
Matt looked at him—at the shadows under his eyes from keeping vigil, at the worry still lingering beneath his smile, at the love written so clearly across his face—and felt his resistance crumble.
“Fine,” Matt conceded, squeezing Andy’s hand. “Three days.”
“Whipped,” Ryan coughed into his hand.
“Says the disaster who can’t dress himself,” Jeremy shot back, eyeing Ryan’s disheveled state. “Meanwhile, our brother gets kidnapped, breaks out fighting, and still manages to look presentable.”
“I was in a hurry!” Ryan defended.
“Children.” Mr. Caine’s voice held years of practice at wrangling wayward sons.
The room settled into a comfortable chaos of passing containers and trading barbs. Catherine continued to fuss over both Andy and Matt, while Richard watched with quiet satisfaction.
Andy stayed close, absently tracing patterns on Matt’s palm. When he caught Matt watching him, his smile was soft and private, just for them.
“Stop looking at me like that,” Andy murmured.
“Make me.”
His kiss tasted like promises and tomorrow, gentle enough to make Catherine sigh happily and Ryan fake gag.
Three days in the hospital suddenly didn’t seem so bad to Matt at all.
T he Caine family mansion sprawled across three acres of prime Las Vegas real estate like a modernist’s fever dream—all clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and enough marble to make an Italian quarry jealous.
Matt had always thought the place was ridiculously oversized for just his parents, but tonight, with what felt like half of Vegas’ elite crammed into the main living area, he had to admit the space made sense.
The “welcome home from not dying” party, as Ryan had so eloquently dubbed it, was in full swing.
Laughter and conversation bounced off the thirty-foot ceilings, mixing with the soft jazz playing through the state-of-the-art sound system.
The scent of gourmet catering wafted from the kitchen, where his mother had probably terrorized the chef into preparing every single one of Matt’s favorite dishes.
Andy sat perched on the arm of Matt’s chair, close enough that Matt could smell his cologne and feel the warmth radiating from his body.
He was wearing one of the new suits Matt had insisted on buying him—charcoal gray which made his eyes sparkle and his skin glow.
The sight made Matt’s mouth water more than any of the elaborate appetizers being passed around.
“Stop staring at me like that,” Andy murmured, though the pink tinge to his cheeks suggested he didn’t mind at all.
“Make me,” Matt replied, earning himself an eye roll that didn’t quite hide Andy’s smile.
Across the vast living room, Daniel’s kids were treating the space like their personal playground, with eight-year-old Ella leading her younger brother Logan on what appeared to be a very serious mission between the guests’ legs.
Daniel’s wife Sophie watched them with the resigned expression of a woman who had long ago accepted that her children had inherited the Caine energy levels.
“I caught Ella trying to negotiate a higher allowance with the security team earlier,” Daniel said, dropping into the seat next to Matt. “She’s definitely got the family business sense.”
“Did she succeed?” Matt asked, already knowing the answer.
“Got them to agree to a twenty percent increase for additional responsibilities, which apparently include reporting suspicious activities like her uncle Ryan sneaking cookies before dinner.”
“That’s my girl.” Matt grinned. “Though I’m not sure if I should be proud or terrified.”
“Both,” Daniel and Andy said in unison.
Jeremy appeared with fresh drinks, his girlfriend Tessa in tow. “Mom’s about to send out a search party for Mia and James. They were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago.”
As if on cue, the grand entrance doors swung open, revealing Mia looking radiant in a deep-blue dress that made her look like she’d just stepped off a runway rather than a private jet.
James followed, carrying what appeared to be enough shopping bags to stock a small boutique, while little Aria bounced excitedly beside them in a frilly pink dress that made her look like a miniature princess.
“Sorry we’re late!” Mia called out. “Someone insisted on stopping at every shop in LA.”
“You can’t come to a party empty-handed,” James defended, though his fond smile gave him away.
“Daddy bought me a tiara!” Aria announced to the room at large, pointing to the sparkly accessory perched in her dark hair. She spotted Daniel’s children and let out a delighted squeal. “Ella! Logan!”
The three children collided in what could only be described as an enthusiastic tackle-hug, their excited chatter about whatever mysterious adventures they were about to embark on drowning out the adults’ conversation.