Gabriel smiled faintly. “I can talk to my sister, but I won’t hold out hope. She doesn’t exactly have a lot of what I would call marketable skills. She’s really more used to looking nice and judging people. As you can see, she’s quite good at drinking. That’s about the sum of her qualifications. But I thank you for trying. And Sylvie, if my sister warned you about Charles, that’s the one thing you should listen to her about. Charles will do anything to get what he wants. And I fear that includes hurting you.”

“He can try,” Sera said under her breath.

“I have no doubt he will,” Gabriel replied before nodding to someone behind her. “Congratulations, Rene. I was just telling Sylvie here that your marriage is going to shake things up.”

Rene’s hand found her waist and he moved in close to her. “In a good way, I hope. I know it’s going to be good for me.”

Gabriel nodded. “I’m sure it is. Good night, Sylvie. It’s nice to see you again. I think I’ll take my sister home.”

He walked off, his keys in his hand.

“Rene . . .” Sera began and there was a righteous look in her eyes.

But they didn’t need more drama. Sylvie turned to her new husband. “Are you done with the family stuff for the evening? Because it would be nice to dance with my husband.”

“I’m all yours. I promise. No more family for the night. At least not my family,” he swore. He took her hand in his and led her to the dance floor.

But she could feel all eyes on her. She might have put off the drama, but it was far from over.

*   *   *

Hours later, Rene poured two glasses of bourbon and wished he’d done what he’d wanted to do in the first place. He’d wanted to tell Sylvie to screw it all and hop on a plane to Hawaii and not come back for a few weeks.

He’d thought about handing everything over to Charles and letting him deal with the vultures for once while he strode away with his wife.

He could build something wonderful for Sylvie. They could let Charles have the old place and make something new and fresh. Whatever she wanted. They could live wherever she wanted. He didn’t have to work another day of his life.

But the very reasons that made Sylvie Martine his perfect wife would keep her from running away from the problem.