Billionaire Wolf's MateDate - Serena Meadows Page 0,29

the council a false sense of security,” Reggie said. “I don’t know what my father is up to, I’m not sure anyone on the council knows, but he’s promising something that will shore up their power.”

“And he needs you on the council with a vote to get it through,” Jacob said.

Reggie nodded. “I can’t be on the council unless I’m married.”

A silence fell between them again. Reggie picked up his glass and finished off the wine, wishing he could allow himself a second, but unwilling to let his defenses down that much. He set the empty glass on the table, sat back in his chair, and waited for Jacob to speak, not knowing what else he could say.

“They’re not going to leave it alone,” Jacob finally said, shaking his head. “I can see that now.”

“But there’s still something bothering you,” Reggie said.

Jacob looked over at him. “I’m still worried about Janice getting hurt,” he said. “I don’t want to see her get her heart broken when this is all over and you decide you’re done with her. I know how you’ve lived your life, Reggie, jumping from one woman to another, never committing to anyone, running when things got too serious. I’m surprised you stayed in Stoney Bridge as long as you did.”

Reggie returned Jacob’s gaze. “Of course, I was running. I was running from this,” he said, gesturing to the room around him. “I swore to myself after we saved your mother and Janice from your father that I would never bring anyone I loved into this world. The only way to do that was not to love anyone.”

Jacob looked away. “And now?” he asked, his muscles tense. “I saw the way you looked at my sister tonight.”

He sighed. “Do you want to know why I stayed in Stoney Bridge so long?” he asked, then waited until Jacob looked over at him. “Because Janice was there.”

“But you said you didn’t know who she was?” Jacob said, whipping his head around to look at Reggie.

“I didn’t,” he said. “Her best friend and my best friend are married. They met through a dating service and Janice and I matched too, but that first date was so horrible, neither of us wanted to repeat the experience. The only problem is that I haven’t been able to get her off my mind since then. I think about her all the time.”

Feeling the relief of finally telling someone about his attraction to Janice, but wishing it wasn’t her brother he’d just told, he sighed and sat back in his chair. Jacob was silent for a long time, then he sat up and looked over at Reggie, the slightest hint of a smile on his face. He studied him for a long time, then relaxed back into his chair, the smile spreading slowly across his face.

“This is a turn of events I didn’t expect,” he finally said. “It’s going to drive your father and mine crazy when they find out that you want to marry my sister.”

“Wait, I didn’t say that,” Reggie said, trying to backpedal.

“You didn’t have to; I could hear it in your voice,” Jacob said, grinning at him. “I think I’ll take that second glass of wine now.”

Reggie opened his mouth to argue, but a knock on the door stopped him before he could say anything. Jacob was still grinning when he opened the door to find a maid standing in the hallway. “I’m sorry to bother you, sir,” she said, looking down at the floor, “but I’m looking for Mr. Jacob. He said he’d be here with you.”

Jacob was already at his side. “What’s wrong, Josie?” he asked, pushing Reggie out of the way.

“It’s Ms. Janice. She’s not in her bed. I thought she was and then when I looked, it was only some pillows,” she said, wringing her hands. “I’m not sure how long she’s been gone.”

***Janice***

Janice slipped into a doorway just as the guard turned his head, and she stood, forcing herself to breathe slowly even though her heart was pounding. After waiting hours for the party guests to quiet down and go to sleep, she’d managed to slip past the guard at the end of the hallway who was sound asleep, reeking of liquor and snoring. But it had been harder the closer she got to the front door, and she’d almost been spotted twice.

Deciding that the front door wasn’t her best choice, she retreated back the way she came, taking a turn she hoped would lead her