The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 106 - one hundred and six

Chapter One Hundred and Six

Malachi’s POV

We arrived at the Maldives estate during the evening. The place was large with manicured lawns and decorative fountains. The staff was already there, waiting to take our luggage.

I helped Cecilia with her bags, carrying them inside while she followed. The interior was spacious and modern. Everything you’d expect from a Blackwood property.

Pa Wood stood in the main entrance. "Everyone gather around. I’ll assign rooms."

The family collected in the foyer.

"Tom and Layla, you’ll take the east wing suite. Mario and Isabella, the west wing." He continued down the list. "Sasha, room five. Sophie, room six. Travis and Alicia, room three. My quarters are in the south wing."

I waited for my assignment.

"Malachi and Cecilia, room four."

"Thank you," Cecilia said.

We headed upstairs. Found our room easily. I opened the door and let Cecilia enter first.

The room was spacious. King-sized bed. Sitting area. Balcony. Ensuite bathroom and a separate dressing room.

I set Cecilia’s bags down and started unpacking my own. Hanging clothes. Organizing things efficiently.

Cecilia did the same. We moved around each other carefully. Setting up our temporary living space.

"So," she said after a few minutes. "How do we handle sleeping arrangements?"

"I’ll take the couch. You have the bed."

"The couch?" She looked at the small sofa near the window. "That doesn’t look comfortable."

"It’s fine."

"Malachi, you’re over six feet tall. You won’t fit properly."

"I’ve slept in worse places. I’ll manage."

She didn’t argue further. Just went back to unpacking. Taking her things to the dressing room.

I pulled out my phone. Texted Rose.

"Any updates?"

Her response came quickly. "Nothing new. Zhao Wei is still quiet. Mario hasn’t made any suspicious moves. Tyler landed but disappeared after leaving the airport."

"Keep tracking Tyler. I want to know where he goes."

"Will do. Should I head back to Dark City? Not much happening here."

I considered it. Rose had been in Silver Lake for weeks. Away from her twin sister Violet. I knew she must miss Violet. The twins were rarely apart this long.

"You can return to Dark City if you want. I know you must miss Violet."

"There’s still plenty of work to do in Silver Lake. The investigation. Tyler. The anonymous accounts. I don’t mind staying."

"You sure?"

"Yes. Violet understands. She knows this is important."

"Okay. Keep me posted on any developments."

"Always."

I pocketed my phone and continued organizing. Put my laptop on the desk. Set up my work space. This was going to be my base for two weeks.

Cecilia was still in the dressing room. I could hear her moving around. Arranging her clothes.

Then I heard a shout. Sharp. Pained.

"Malachi!"

I moved quickly into the dressing room.

Cecilia was on the floor. Holding her ankle. Her face twisted in pain.

"What happened?"

"I twisted it. There’s a step I didn’t see and I—" She winced. "It hurts."

I knelt down. Examined her ankle. Already swelling. Not broken but definitely sprained.

"Can you stand?"

"I don’t know. Maybe with help?"

I lifted her. One arm under her knees, the other supporting her back. She wrapped her arms around my neck for stability.

"I’m sorry," she said. "I’m such a klutz."

"It happens."

I carried her toward the bed. Needed to elevate her ankle. Get ice.

I opened the door to call for help and found Alicia standing there.

She looked at me carrying Cecilia. Her expression went carefully neutral.

"Excuse me," I said.

She stepped aside without a word.

"Do you have a medical kit?" I asked. "Cecilia twisted her ankle."

"I’ll get it."

She disappeared down the hallway. I carried Cecilia to the bed and set her down. Propped her ankle up on a pillow.

"Thank you," Cecilia said. "I’m sorry for being so much trouble."

"You’re not trouble."

Alicia returned with a medical kit. Handed it to me without really looking at either of us. But Layla appeared behind her.

"What happened?" Layla asked, entering the room.

"Cecilia sprained her ankle."

"Oh dear. Let me see." Layla moved to the bed. Started examining Cecilia’s ankle. "I used to be a nurse before I married into this family. I can handle this."

She took the medical kit and started cleaning and wrapping Cecilia’s ankle with practiced efficiency.

"You’ll need to stay off it for a day or two," Layla said. "Ice it regularly. Keep it elevated."

"Thank you," Cecilia said.

Layla smiled. "Of course, dear. We take care of family."

Alicia was still in the doorway. Silent.

"Is there anything else you need?" she asked.

"No, we’re fine," Layla answered. "Thank you for getting the kit."

Alicia nodded and left.

Layla finished wrapping Cecilia’s ankle. "There. All done. Just remember what I said. Rest and ice."

"I will. Thank you so much."

"Of course. Get some rest. We have a family dinner in an hour." Layla headed for the door. "I’ll have staff bring some ice."

She left. Closing the door behind her.

I looked at Cecilia on the bed. Her ankle wrapped and elevated. This was going to slow things down for the first few days.

"You should be careful next time," I said.

"I will. I promise." She looked apologetic. "I’m sorry. I know this complicates things."

"It’s fine. Just rest."

I went to set up my things on the couch. Grabbing a blanket from the closet. Testing the cushions to see how uncomfortable the next two weeks would be.

Very uncomfortable, apparently.

But I’d dealt with worse. This was just another part of the arrangement. Another thing to manage.

"Malachi?" Cecilia called from the bed.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For everything. I know this isn’t easy."

"We have an agreement. I honor my agreements."

"Still. I appreciate it."

I nodded and went back to organizing my space. Creating distance between the bed where she was and the couch where I’d sleep.

These next two weeks would not be so easy with all of this happening.