The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 120 - One Hundred and Twenty

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty

Malachi’s POV

Two weeks went by faster than I expected.

The private jet touched down in Silver Lake just as the sun was setting. Everyone was exhausted. Ready to be home. Ready to sleep in their own beds.

Pa Wood had arranged for cars to take everyone back to the mansion. The ride was quiet. Sophie fell asleep against my shoulder. Alicia sat across from me. Our eyes met once. Briefly. Then she looked away.

We hadn’t been alone since that room. Since I’d had her against the wall. Since everything had changed.

But I felt it. The tension. The awareness. The knowledge of what we’d done hanging between us.

Travis sat next to her. Oblivious. He’d been trying to win her back the entire trip. Bringing her coffee. Complimenting her. Trying to touch her.

She’d rejected him every time. And I’d enjoyed watching it.

We arrived at the mansion. Everyone scattered to their rooms. Too tired to do anything but sleep.

I carried Sophie upstairs. She mumbled something about being glad to be home. I left her in her room and went to mine.

Cecilia was already unpacking. Organizing her things with that careful precision she always had.

"Long trip," she said.

"Yeah."

"But successful. We looked good together. Convincing."

"That was the goal."

She smiled. Came over and kissed my cheek. "Thank you. For everything. I know this isn’t easy."

If only she knew how complicated it really was.

"Get some rest," I said. "We’ll deal with the lawyer situation tomorrow."

She nodded. Went into the bathroom to get ready for bed.

I stood at the window. Looked out at the city lights. Thought about Alicia. About where she was sleeping. If she was thinking about me too.

This obsession was going to consume me. But I didn’t care.

The next morning came too early.

Sophie needed a ride to school. I volunteered before anyone else could.

She climbed into my car with her backpack. Still half asleep.

"Thanks for driving me," she said.

"No problem."

We drove in comfortable silence for a while. Then she said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you think I should date? Like, is seventeen too young?"

I glanced at her. "Why? Is there someone?"

"No. Maybe. I don’t know. Some guys at school have asked me out."

"And what did you say?"

"That I’d think about it."

"Good answer." I paused. "My advice? Forget about boys. Focus on class. Boys are stupid."

She laughed. "You were once a boy."

"Exactly. So I know what I’m talking about."

"You’re not stupid though."

"Debatable."

She smiled. Looked out the window. "Do you think Alicia is okay? She seems sad lately."

My hands tightened on the steering wheel. "What makes you say that?"

"I don’t know. She just seems distant. Like something’s bothering her."

"She’s probably just tired. The trip was long."

"Maybe."

We pulled up to her school. Students were filing in. Groups of teenagers laughing and talking.

"Thanks again," Sophie said. She started to get out then stopped. "Can you pick me up later? After school?"

"Sure. What time?"

"Three thirty."

"I’ll be here."

She grinned. "You’re the best."

She ran off to join her friends. I watched her go. Made sure she got inside safely.

Then I drove away.

On my way back, I spotted something. Someone familiar.

Sasha. Walking down the street. She was dressed differently than usual. All covered up. Hood pulled low. Like she was trying not to be recognized.

She turned into a building. An old warehouse that had been converted into office spaces.

I frowned. What was she doing there? Who was she meeting?

Sasha had been acting strange lately. Jumpy. Paranoid. Always looking over her shoulder.

I’d noticed it during the trip. The way she’d disappear for phone calls. The way she’d flinch when someone approached her unexpectedly.

Something was wrong. Something she wasn’t telling anyone.

I made a mental note to look into it. To find out what she was mixed up in.

But not today. Today I had other plans.

I drove to Dante’s place. He lived in a penthouse downtown. All modern glass and expensive furniture.

He answered the door with a grin. "About time. I’ve been waiting."

"Traffic."

"Sure. Come in."

We settled into his game room. He pulled out cards and poker chips. Our usual routine.

"So," he said while dealing. "How was the trip?"

"Long. Complicated."

"Because of the girl?"

"Always because of the girl."

He laughed. "I told you this fake dating thing would bite you in the ass."

"It’s serving its purpose. Cecilia gets her inheritance. I repay my debt to her father."

"And Alicia gets jealous watching you with another woman."

"There’s that too."

"Must be killing her. Seeing you with Cecilia."

"She hides it well."

"But you can tell."

"I can always tell."

Dante studied his cards. "How long are you planning to keep this up? The hiding. The pretending."

"Not much longer. I have a plan."

"What kind of plan?"

"One that will make Alicia mine. Permanently."

"That sounds ominous."

"It’s necessary."

"Does this plan involve telling her the truth about Cecilia?"

"Eventually."

"And if she doesn’t forgive you for lying?"

"She will."

"You sound confident."

"I am."

Dante shook his head. "You’re playing a dangerous game, my friend."

"The best games are dangerous."

We played for an hour. Talked about business. About opportunities. About the usual things.

Then Dante said, "I have an update. From Ross."

Ross. The private investigator Dante had hired. The one looking into who’d been visiting Emily’s grave.

Someone had been leaving flowers. Every week. For years. But no one knew who.

It bothered me. More than it should. Emily was gone. But someone was keeping her memory alive. Someone who cared enough to visit regularly.

"What did he find?" I asked.

"Not much. He’s been watching the grave for weeks. No one’s shown up."

"Nothing?"

"Well. He did find something. A piece of clothing. Expensive. Left behind after one visit."

"What kind of clothing?"

"A scarf. Designer. Custom embroidered."

"Did he trace it?"

"He’s working on it. But it’s not easy. These custom pieces don’t have obvious paper trails."

I leaned back. Thought about it. "Keep him on it. I want to know who’s been visiting."

"Why does it matter? Emily’s been gone for years."

"It matters."

Dante looked at me. Understanding in his eyes. "You still feel guilty."

"I don’t want to talk about Emily."

"Fine. But for what it’s worth? What happened to her wasn’t your fault."

I didn’t respond. Couldn’t.

Because part of me would always believe it was my fault. That if I’d been there. If I’d done something different. Emily might still be alive.

We finished our game. I said goodbye to Dante and headed out.

I had a few hours before I needed to pick up Sophie.

It was time to make my move. Time to claim what was mine.

And nothing was going to stop me.