Page 99 of Rival Hearts

I could see where the Blackwood brothers all got their style and debonair manners. Thomas Blackwood was an upright man exuding confidence and reassurance. His beard was neatly trimmed, his blue eyes sharp. I could see how this man might have been the founder of the business—he looked like someonewho could build an empire, but he had the same welcoming smile as his wife, and when he looked me over before he glanced at Alex, his eyes twinkled.

“Come, join us.”

The garden we’d stepped into was just as lavish as the front garden, with a lawn that stretched toward the far perimeter wall.

There was a fire, but it didn’t look like the kind of barbecues I’d been to in college. The fire had been made in a fire pit with seats all around it, and instead of grilling meat on a barbecue, tables had been set up with crisp tablecloths and a selection of food, buffet style.

“This looks a little different from the barbecues I’ve been to,” I whispered to Alex.

He chuckled. “Yeah, my parents like going all out.”

I wasn’t sure Alex was used to anything else. The buffet was a feat, and it looked like no expense had been spared. From canapés and artisanal cheese to fresh oysters and caviar, and that was just the appetizer section.

The main course part of the buffet showed meat and seafood, grilled to perfection, along with sauces and condiments. Vegetables and salads lined the next part. And finally, the desserts seemed to cover everything from pastries, chocolate truffles with edible gold leaf, a chocolate fountain, and fresh fruit and marshmallows.

“Come, meet my brothers,” Alex said.

I swallowed hard, and Alex led me to the Blackwoods, who stood around the fire pit. They all wore the same kinds of clothes, with linen or cotton shirts and khaki pants or jeans with expensive loafers. They all looked as polished and rich as Alex did.

“Benjamin, Christopher, Daniel,” Alex said, pointing to each, and they nodded in turn. “This is Charlotte.”

The Blackwood brothers all looked like they’d stepped from the covers ofGQmagazine. They might not have been related, as I now knew, but I wouldn’t have guessed that. They didn’t look alike in any way, but they all had the same air of confidence that Thomas exuded.

There was something about his family—they all seemed self-assured, knowing who they were and where they were headed, and that confidence was intimidating, to say the least.

“Welcome,” Ben said. He had light hair and hazel eyes that scrutinized me. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, trying not to squirm.

“We’ve heard a lot about you,” Chris said. He had darker hair than Ben, but his striking deep blue eyes were what caught my attention. “You’re brave to come out here.”

“Oh, nothing bad, I hope,” I said meekly.

“Nothing worse than what’s in the press,” Daniel said with a wink and grinned at me. He seemed to be the most easygoing of the lot, with rich brown hair and almost-black eyes that seemed to miss nothing.

I glanced at Alex, who rolled his eyes.

“They’re talking shit, trying to scare you off. When you spend a bit of time with them, you realize their bark is worse than their bite.”

I chuckled nervously.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Alex asked.

“Oh,” I said. “Do you have wine?”

“We do,” Alex said with a grin. “Any preference?”

I shook my head. I was a little overwhelmed.

Alex disappeared.

“So, where did you meet?” Daniel asked.

“At a party. My brother’s birthday.”

“Ah,” Chris said. “Gabriel, right?”

I blinked at him. “You know Gabe?”

“We all know Gabe,” Ben said. “He’s Alex’s best friend. He’s been around a while.” Ben frowned. “You’re Gabe’s sister?”