Her Name Is Knight(Nena Knight #1)(47)

Their mum hoped to have grandchildren one day. There was no way Nena was popping out any kids, which left Elin to be the baby factory, and if it meant going along with this boyfriend or that to get a husband, then Delphine welcomed them. Elin swore that if she wasn’t married and pregnant by thirty-eight, she would thaw out some of those eggs she’d frozen without her parents knowing and bake a baby for them. She had six more years to go.

On the night of the great family meeting of Oliver, Elin desperately needed her sister to get there so their mother wouldn’t scare him away with talk of heirs and whatever else. She’d given Nena this same spiel three times already and was working on her fourth.

“Nena, say you’re on your way? Because Mum and Dad just arrived,” Elin said frantically over the Audi’s speakerphone. “I can’t find anything right to wear tonight. I’m on outfit number five.”

“I am,” Nena answered. “But are you sure you want to officially introduce—”

“Oliver.”

“Like, once you tell Mum and Dad this is the guy, they will be looking up venues for your wedding. Mum will prepare the aunties. Is this thing with Oliver a business deal, a love match, or just a fling?” Nena had to be the voice of reason here. “Is he old or young?”

Elin’s silence alerted Nena that she was irritated. “Are you trying to throw cold water over my parade? He’s my age or a tad older. Who cares?”

“I don’t think that’s the proper saying.”

“I don’t give a damn if it’s the proper saying,” Elin hissed. “Yeah, okay, right, I’ve dated a lot. But it was only because I was searching for a certain kind of mate.”

“You should want a relationship like Mum and Dad’s,” Nena said. “Someone who is the other half of your mind. Someone to run all of this with.”

Elin, incredulous, said, “That position’s already taken, little sis, by you. I don’t need a man for what Mum and Dad have, because you are my other half. I want a man who will let me do my work with no questions asked. He can have his own businesses, but he leaves ours alone.”

“How can you be sure he will adhere to that? His dad is a Council member now. He’ll want to run the business with you.”

“He won’t. Dad won’t let him, and neither will I. Plus, he’s too vanilla for what we do. He’s scared of clowns, for God’s sake!”

Nena paused. “Well . . . no one actually likes clowns.”

Elin sighed. “I really, really like this one, Nena. I think I can settle down with him. For real this time.”

Nena couldn’t help herself. She tried to remain serious. “I should forget about all of the other ‘the ones,’ then?”

“Oliver makes me feel like I’m wrapped in a security blanket,” Elin cooed, ignoring her.

“You know, Amazon sells massive amounts of those. Weighted ones at that. I like the one I bought.”

“Fucking comedian,” Elin grumbled. “I’m deadly serious, Nena.”

Nena was making jokes, but the way Elin sounded, hopeful and excited about this guy, made Nena think about the dinner she’d had with Cort. The whole situation with him was so complicated. At least Oliver knew about the African Tribal Council. At least Elin didn’t have to hide part of herself from him.

Before she knew what she was doing, Nena recounted her evening with Cort and Georgia. The words came so effortlessly, and she realized something new about herself. She liked talking to her sister about this kind of stuff.

“You really care for this bloke, yeah?”

Elin had asked the question so softly, so thoughtfully, that Nena was taken aback. Startled, really. Care was such a big word. She wouldn’t say care. Would she?

“I mean, they’re pleasant to be around,” she backtracked. “And remember, I was there to determine what he does or doesn’t know. It was work, really.”

“Mm-hmm,” Elin said teasingly. “I’m checking if the world’s gone topsy turvy.”

“Come again?” Any warm-and-fuzzies Nena felt about confiding in Elin were quickly gone.

“Because that’s the only way my little sister is going to get a boyfriend.”

“Elin! He’s not my boyfriend,” Nena practically screeched, entirely unbecomingly.

“Oooh, listen to you,” Elin said. “Now I know it to be true. And it’s about damn time, sis. And well deserved.”

But was it? Nena had gotten herself involved with an American (which would irritate her dad, for one), and a prosecutor at that. How could she ever share the Echo side of her—not that she’d want to—in a relationship built on lies? Even lies by omission. If she allowed it, Cort would lay himself bare to her while she’d keep a massive part of her hidden, all the while enlisting his own daughter to deceive him. Didn’t seem very fair of her.

“I am sorry I teased you about Oliver,” Nena said. The realization her sister might be serious about a man had a sobering effect. “I see now it’s a bit different with him, so I look forward to meeting him tonight.”

“And what about Mum?”

Nena snorted. “You do realize no one handles Mum, right? However, I will try,” she promised. “Relax and enjoy your evening. I’m almost there.”