Secrets Of The A-List

Gabe glared at Luc, but didn’t respond. Why is it that everyone in the family other than Mariella and Harrison doubted his abilities? He’d always done everything he could to fit in, but he would always be on the outside.

“Who cares about the Fixer?” Elana jumped out of her seat, nearly tripping on her four-inch Jimmy Choo stilettos. Her long wavy brown hair swung from her shoulders as she began pacing the room. She was still wearing yesterday’s outfit—a strapless jumpsuit with a cutout back and choker neck band—which had been as inappropriate for a family dinner as it was this morning. She looked like she was going out to the club—maybe the same one his mother was headed to in her flashy bandage dress—and the clicking of her heels on the marble floor was grating on Gabe’s nerves.

“Our mother is missing, and all you boys can do is fight. Well, I’m sick of it, all right? We need to take action.”

“I think you all are blowing this way out of proportion,” Ana said with a snort as she sipped a glass of wine. “Mariella is a grown woman and quite capable of taking care of herself.”

Gabe regarded Ana from where she perched on one of the leather sofas. As she sat drinking her pinot noir; she seemed cool and unfazed that her sister had gone missing. How could she drink at a time like this? And at this hour? It was only a little past 8:00 a.m. If anyone had a bone to pick with Mariella, it would be Ana. He wouldn’t put it past her to try something underhanded like steal her money and jewels, but even he didn’t think Ana capable of harming Mariella.

“You couldn’t care less about your sister,” Luc responded. “The only thing you care about is your next glass of wine. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you polished off the entire bottle of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti as if it were a can of Diet Coke.”

“That’s Mom’s favorite wine!” Rafe huffed. “And it’s a rare vintage!”

Ana tossed her highlighted hair over her shoulder. “What are you going to do? Go run and tattle to Mommy? Oh, wait—” her index finger flew to her ruby lips “—you can’t, because she’s not here.”

“How could you be so spiteful?” Elana lunged for her aunt.

* * *

Thom rose from his seat and caught his fiancée before she reached her tía. He hoped his usually calm, gentle demeanor would be enough to help keep her from panicking, but Elana was agitated. He understood. They’d all stayed up all night searching for her mother and calling everyone they knew while trying not to raise suspicions.

Elana shrugged him off. “Thom, don’t try to handle me.”

“I wasn’t trying to handle you,” Thom said softly. “I was just trying to help.” He stepped away from her, forlorn. When he glanced up, he found Rafe’s eyes staring at him, watching him. It wasn’t the first time he’d caught his soon-to-be brother-in-law staring at him, and it made Thom uncomfortable, so he looked away. Ever since that night together, Thom had tried to keep his distance and not send Rafe mixed messages. They were back to being friends now, even playing tennis from time to time. Thom had made his choice, and he’d chosen Elana.

“How about some coffee and scones?” Joy, their live-in chef, asked cheerfully as she entered the room, wearing a white chef’s coat and khakis.

“We can’t think of food at a time like this,” Elana huffed as Joy passed by her with a carafe of coffee, mugs and a tray of her famous scones. “My God, it’s almost a week before my wedding, and I could very well be an orphan if this keeps up.”