The Billionaire's Twins Play Matchmaker novel Chapter 73

Ava sighed stretching. Her body felt stiff yet relaxed. Though her throat was dry and her mind fuzzy she didn’t have a headache. Memories slowly trickled to the surface. She remembered the confrontation with her sister followed by the encounter with her mother. After that she had a good time accompanied by Silas or Tracy though she couldn’t remember the names of half the people she talked to.

She met so many people but they had all been friendly and receptive to her. They complimented her dress and even seemed interested in what she said. Ava had been afraid of the reaction she would get from the society she left behind but they welcomed her back. She was not naïve enough not to know it was due in large part because of their inherit fear and respect of Silas but it still felt nice.

“Good, you’re awake. I was afraid I’d have to leave without a kiss,” Silas said as he stepped out of the closet adjusting his cufflinks. His gaze burned with desires barely contained.

“Silas.”

Smiling he walked up to the bed and trapped her between his arms but she wasn’t afraid. Leaning down he kissed her deeply. She reached up stroking his cheek as their lips parted.

“Careful luv. We may be here all day repeating last night’s sport.”

“Last night?” Ava repeated.

“You don’t remember?” Silas asked almost hurt.

She hesitated, thinking back. Memories were still sorting themselves but he knew immediately when she recalled their time together after the party as her face suddenly became beet red. Chuckling he leaned down and kissed her again. Her innocence was strangely erotic. He gazed down at her with a loving expression amazed she was truly his.

“I love you so much, Ava.”

She blinked her eyes going wide. Her gaze softened as a small smile settled across her lips. Ava didn’t think she would ever tire of him saying that.

“I really wish I didn’t have to work today but I have a board meeting. I need to put out some fires.”

“Fires?” Ava repeated.

“Yeah. News that I showed up with my fiancée is already spreading faster than I anticipated so the board stirred up,” Silas sighed with a dismissive shrug. “I have to explain the situation and tell them about the children which I am certain will put them in quite a tizzy.”

“Will you be in trouble?”

“I’m the boss. What can they do?” Silas chuckled. “Besides these people have been bugging me to settle down for years they can’t be mad that I’ve finally taken their advice.”

“I suppose.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.” Silas leaned forward and kissed her. “No one will stop me from marrying the woman I love.”

A blush turned her cheeks rosy as she met his gaze.

“So I want you to put some serious thought into what you want for the wedding.”

“What I want…”

“I want you to have the wedding of your dreams. Flowers. Doves. Balloons. On top of the Eiffel Tower. Anything.”

“I don’t need…”

He cut her off with a kiss, “Anything. No matter how big or small. I’m sure my mother will have plenty of ideas but this is your wedding so make sure it is what you want. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good. I told Duncan to bring the Christmas decorations out of storage and to purchase a tree so you and the kids have fun. If you want to go out just tell the security team and they’ll arrange everything you need.”

“All right.”

“Good. I’m taking you out tonight. Just the two of us.”

“Like…a date?”

“That’s right. Do you like seafood?”

Ava nodded.

“Good.” He kissed her a final time.

She smiled her eyes sparkling already anticipating his return. Silas sucked in a breath fighting the urge to crawl into bed and take her into his embrace. He might have if his phone didn’t buzz alerting him Thomas had arrived and was waiting in the car.

He forced himself to stand, “Sleep as late as you like. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Tonight.” Ava agreed watching as he reluctantly forced himself to leave. She smiled as she lay snuggled in the blankets.

She felt so warm. For years she struggled to fend off chills that never seemed to dissipate. No matter how many layers she wore she was always cold but since moving into the brownstone she was comfortable and warm. It all felt like a dream and she hoped it would never end.

Silas hurried down the hallway pausing at Alexis’s door and knocked. Receiving the okay to enter he stepped into the bedroom and wasn’t surprised to see all three of his children gathered and pretending to be innocently hanging out.

“Can we help you?” Alexis asked.

“I read a very interesting article about Marilynn Carlisle this morning,” Silas said.

“Did you? I don’t see how she can be interesting.”

Silas sighed studying their blank faces. If there was one thing he could say about his children…they would make excellent poker players.

“The good news is Thomas couldn’t link it to you so it’s unlikely anyone else can…but you should be more careful in the future.”

“Is that supposed to be a threat?” Theo snorted.

“It’s a warning. I know you’ve been planning your revenge and I’m not going to try to stop you. I don’t think I could to be honest. But you need to be careful. You and your mother are not living in obscurity anymore. She’s my fiancée and she is Emerson’s long lost daughter so anything you say against Carlisle may come back to her. I’ll protect her and you three as much as I can but that won’t stop gossip from spreading as I’m sure you know.”

Silas eyed them carefully as the brothers shared a thoughtful look. Alexis’s expression became pensive before she spoke for the group, “All right. We promise whatever we do won’t come back to mom.”

After a moment Silas nodded. It seemed that was the best he could expect from them. Aloud he said, “Thank you. And just so you know…The best revenge you can ever have is living a happy life and rubbing it in their faces.”

The boys snorted back a laugh. He wasn’t sure if it was because he said something humorous or if they thought the image was legitimately funny.

“Last night your mother had her own confrontation with her sister.”

“What happened?” Alexis tensed as did her brothers at the thought of their aunt causing their mother more pain.

“She was brilliant,” Silas smiled. “She told your aunt off in marvelous fashion.”

“She did?” Sean asked not sure if he believed that.

“She did. Your mother is a strong woman, she just didn’t know it, and now she’s getting her confidence back. So you three just watch her close and you’ll see it for yourselves. I have to go to work today. It’s time to officially announce your mother as my future wife and you three as my heirs…so try to stay out of trouble.”

“Got it.” The trio agreed and he left still concerned with what they would do but confident they would look out for their mother.

Duncan waited at the door with his overcoat.

“Ava might sleep a little longer but be prepared to serve breakfast when she is ready.”

“Of course.” Duncan helped him into his coat hiding a smile. “A tree will be delivered at ten.”

“Good. This will be the first year in a long time that I’m actually looking forward to the holidays.”

“I agree, sir. It’s good to see you with a smile on your face for a change.”

Silas looked at the man he had known since he was little before saying, “I know you’ve been worried.”

Duncan bowed.

“Take care of Ava and the kids, anything they need.”

“They shall want for nothing,” Duncan assured him opening the door.

“Oh, Christmas presents. I need sizes, preferences, wish lists, whatever ideas you can get from the kids and Ava.”

“Of course.”