[Of Honor] ONE

December

"I must say, Miss Dalton," the voice like smooth velvet made goosebumps erupt on her exposed upper limbs. "My grandfather made a poor decision on choosing red as tonight's motif. He clearly did not take into account how the colour could turn a certain lady into a siren. You, cara, are the very definition of temptation."

"Is that so, Mr D'Angelo?"

Try as she might, she couldn't keep the tremor from her tone. The man behind her had always affected her in a way. He knew that and exploited it every at chance he got. This time, it was expected, as it was every year.

Since migrating his empire's main office to the US, Matteo D'Angelo, held a Christmas party for the family. He picked the city and the theme for these events and (nearly) everyone complied with his antics. In their themed garb, they flew out to whichever city the party was being held in. This year was Snow White in New York – midnight black, blinding white snow, and traffic stopping red. Christian all but dragged her with him to one when they were 12, and she'd been a constant presence ever since. She'd even been dubbed an honorary D'Angelo by the many, many cousins she'd met – including Ryland D'Angelo.

"Stop harassing my best friend, Ry. You're gonna scare her away. I haven't seen enough of her recently."

Another voice, which of her current rescuer, triggered yet another response from her traitorous body. This time it was warm tingles that spread from the top of her head to the tip of her toes.

"Come off it, Christian. I was just teasing," came the reply of the other male.

Before Christian could retort, Brie turned around to face both men. A tiny gasp escaped her lips before she could control it. Who could blame her, though? Two of the most exquisite D'Angelo men stood before her, unaware of the full effect they both had on her system.

Christian wore the required red shirt, classic black pants and the requisite shiny Italian leather shoes. Ryland, on the other hand, chose a black shirt and accessorized with a red tie instead. Always the rebel, he tethered on the edge of semiformal by wearing dark jeans and attention grabbing bright red Chuck Taylor's. Both men before her represented majority of the D'Angelo men – dangerously good looking. Judging by the nearly identical smirks on both their lips, they damn well knew it.

Brie scowled. It was too early in the evening for either of them to be so annoying.

Christian pulled her into a tight hug before she could say another word. She breathed in his familiar scent of pine and peppermint before pulling away. However, the tight circle of his arms allowed no more than a few inches between them.

"Glad you could make it, Brie," he shot her that lopsided smile she loved so much. "I missed you."

She patted his arm twice, a gesture he knew meant that he should let go. Reluctantly, he did so.

"What? No hug for me? I got here first," Ryland opened his arms, a teasing glint in his eye.

Brie laughed before wrapping her arms around him as well. Too soon, or far too long by Christian's liking, Brie let go of Ryland. Then she stood on her tiptoes, looking over both men's shoulders. Even in six inch heels, they towered over her.

"Who are you looking for, Brie?" Christian took hold of her left elbow as she almost toppled over.

"You wound us, Brie," Ryland cut in. "The two hottest D'Angelo men are right in front of you yet your eyes search for someone else. Tell me who he is, Brie! If not Christian, tell me who else I have to defeat to garner your undivided attention!"

"Never knew you could be such a fine actor, Ry," Brie teased, setting herself back on both feet. "If you must know, I'm looking for your grandfather. I haven't seen him since I arrived."

"Why are you looking for Pops?" Ryland voiced out the question in both men's minds. The D'Angelo patriarch was a force to be reckoned with. Some of the lesser known family members tend to stay out of his way. Yet here comes Brie, seeking out the lion willingly.

"If you must know," Brie huffed, aware of their general train of thought. "He called me at work yesterday, wanting to confirm that I would be here tonight. I actually had other plans, but he made it near impossible to say no."

"Did he say why he specifically wanted you to come?"

"Beats me," Brie shrugged. The look of confusion on either man's face led her to believe they were as clueless about the entire thing as she was. "Said he wanted to speak with me about something important and didn't want to do it over the phone."

There came a moment of bewildered silence before it was broken by the ringing Christian's cellphone.

"Sorry, it's Marie," Christian said sheepishly before answering the call, not bothering to step away from Brie and Ry.

"Hey, baby! Where are you?" There was a hint of impatience at his tone. Marie's reply couldn't be positive if the furrowing of Christian's brows was anything to go by. "Sure, okay. No, I'm not mad. See you in a few."

He ended the call and took a deep breath as if to calm himself. Not mad, yeah right.

"You okay, bro?"

"Yeah. Marie's just running late."

"Again?" Ryland shook his head. "Dude, I wouldn't be surprised if she was late to her own wedding!"

Ry didn't particularly dislike Marie. He simply thought she and Christian weren't a good match. Nevertheless, Christian was family. If the guy was happy, did his opinion really matter?

The wedding comment seemed to have struck a chord in Christian. He looked at anywhere but the two of them, but neither Ry nor Brie seemed privy to his discomfort.

"She's a girl," Brie tried to make light of the situation. "Ever heard of the term 'fashionably late'? Trying to look good isn't an easy task, you know."

"Pssh! You're never late to anything and always look stunning," Christian snorted. "You take half the time most girls need to get ready and manage to outshine even the best of them."

The offhanded comment startled Brie. Ryland's gaze over her form told her he agreed.

"Erm," Christian suddenly realized the words he'd just let out and attempted to redirect the conversation. "Brie, Aunt Jenny's been looking for you. She asked me to bring you to her if I ever see you around."

"Oh?" Brie snapped out of her conflicting thoughts. "Well, I better show up before she starts hunting."

She stood on her tiptoes again, this time to hug Ryland and wish him a Merry Christmas. Christian took her hand in his as they made their way across the ballroom floor.

---

"You okay?" Brie timidly gauged Christian's mood. It was never a good thing when Christian got irritated in the early hours of an event. He tended to end up doing the most ridiculous, if not embarrassing, things.

"I'll be fine," he squeezed her hand. "What's this I hear about you having other plans? You've never missed a single D'Angelo family event."

"Brielle!" Before she could reply, a petite woman came rushing towards them. Even in her early fifties, Jennifer D'Angelo - Leonides was a stunner.

"Later," Brie whispered to Christian. "Good evening, Mrs Leonides. Merry Christmas!"

"Mrs Leonides! How posh. It's Aunt Jenny to you," she laughed. "Now I understand the need to keep her to yourself, Christian, looking the way she does tonight. Absolutely ravishing. Red suits her, does it not? But if you could, release her so I can hug her properly."

Brie's eyes widened at the older woman's comment, a blush slowly staining her cheeks.

"You're right, Aunt Jen, she does look exceptionally beautiful tonight," Christian smiled down at Brie, making her redden even more.

"Keep talking like that, D'Angelo, and I'd think you were hitting on me," Brie teased, attempting to beat Christian at his own game. She quirked an eyebrow while he simply smirked.

Christian, not to be defeated, stepped closer until he was flush against Brie.

"Break it up, you two," Jenny cut in. "We'd like to keep this party PG 13."

The two of them laughed at the older woman's comment. She thought they made a wonderful couple and never let them, or anyone else for that matter, forget it.

"Anyway, Brielle," Jenny took hold of Brie's elbow and tugged her away from Christian. "Father is asking for you. I thought you'd appreciate the warning."

"I know, Aunt Jen," Brie nodded. "He called to confirm my attendance."

"What does the old coot possibly want with Brie?" Christian asked.

"I might be your grandfather's favorite," Jenny shrugged. "But even I can't claim what goes on in that mind of his."

"Favorite?" Christian snorted. "How are you-"

"Ah, speak of the devil," Jenny interrupted, one manicured hand gestured behind the pair. "He's made his grand entrance and is coming this way."

Brie and Christian turned to the direction of Jenny's fingers. Sure enough, the head of the family came striding towards them.

"Grandfather," Christian slightly bowed in greeting. "Merry Christmas."

"Christian. Jenny, Merry Christmas," the old man nodded in greeting. "Miss Dalton, I appreciate you accepting my invitation tonight."

"The pleasure is mine, sir," Brie replied nervously.

"Excuse me, kids, dad," Jenny cut in. "I'll see you around. Enjoy the party."

"And I see Marie," Christian turned towards the entrance on the other side of the room. "I'll come find you later, okay? I have exciting news to share."

Brielle could do nothing but nod. Only her to face Matteo D'Angelo alone.

---

"Miss Dalton, accompany me in making rounds?" The old man offered an arm, one she could not refuse.

She kept to herself as they walked, only speaking when she was addressed directly. Most of the attendees here knew her as a very good friend of Christian so they need not question her presence. But to those who wondered, Matteo introduced her as either the granddaughter he always wished he had or a wonderful addition to the D'Angelo grandkids.

"Let's sit, Miss Dalton," he gestured to the head table. "I imagine those shoes must not have been made for too much walking."

She spotted her name in between his and Aunt Jenny's.

Oh, so that's where it is, she thought. I've been looking all over for my table. Wait, I sit here?

"Here, sir?"

"Why, yes," he honestly look puzzled at her question. "I have something to discuss with you so I'd rather have you sit here than waste half the night trying to locate your table."

"Oh, I-"

"It's just a place setting, dear."

To him, it may just be some seat at some table. But the rest of the family might not agree with his logic. Already, Brie counted three confused stares and a particularly nasty one from the most annoying of Christian's cousins. Even Ryland was more bearable than Francis. To avoid more of those, she kept her head down until it was time for dinner.

"I don't usually do this, you know?" Matteo started.

"Sir?"

"This," he gestured to her and the roved his eyes over the rest of the room. "Business at family gatherings."

"Oh." So this was a business meeting...

"I don't," he reiterated. "But I leave for London tomorrow and may not be able to return until just before the New Year rolls in. And I understand you are spending the holidays with your parents, yes?"

"I am, sir," she nodded timidly. Her parents were currently in France and invited her to spend the Christmas with them. Christian must have told him.

"I wanted to speak with you before we part ways. So you might be able to think about it over the next few days." He looked at her to check if she was listening before continuing. "Christian had mentioned in passing that you are no longer happy in your current occupation. Was he speaking truth?"

Brie was slightly stunned. Christian talked about her to his grandfather? Why?

By the look on the older man's face, he expected an answer to his question. An honest one at that.

"Yes, sir. I've already put in my two weeks' notice. I plan on looking for a new job after the holidays."

"This is where I come in," he cleared his throat. "Do you remember the hotel we are opening on New Years' Day, Miss Dalton?"

"The Duchess. Yes, sir. Of course."

One of the pies that the D'Angelo's had their fingers stuck in was the international hotel and restaurant business, as cliche as that sounded. The global expansion was the reason the family left Italy in the first place. And thanks to Brielle's 'connections' to the family, her own family could stay at any one of them free of charge. It saved her on more than one occasion, when she had emergency business trips to attend outside of New York. Brie loved those hotels like she was actually part of the family who owned them.

"How would you like to manage The Duchess, Miss Dalton?"

She was so engrossed in picturing said hotels in her mind's eye that she almost missed the question.

"Manage, sir?"

Surely he was kidding?

"I was not lying when I introduce you as a granddaughter, Brielle. I already do see you as one."

That may just have been the first time he used her given name.

"That being said, I have kept my eye on you. I know exactly how unhappy you have been at your previous hotel. But I also know you'd rather I not interfere with that. So I am offering you The Duchess. I am offering you the chance to avoid any more... unhappiness."

By the way he spoke of the word, she was certain he knew the real reason why she quit. A reason she hasn't told Christian yet. Or ever.

"In what capacity, sir?"

"General Manager," he responded without flinching.

The same couldn't be said for Brielle. If she wasn't so conscious of not making a scene, she would've fainted. She was the Night Manager at Imperial, and was about to be promoted to Assistant General Manager when she resigned. Now she was being given the position of General Manager. And of one of the D'Angelo hotels!

"Think about it, Miss Dalton. And give me an answer hopefully after Christmas."

Matteo stood to greet a relative who looked like he just arrived. Brie remained in her seat, quietly mulling over what he just dropped on her. Should she go for it?

---

"There you are!" Ryland's voice sounded from somewhere behind her seat. "Been looking all over for you. Never figured you'd be here by Grandfather's table. Seems like you're his new favourite now."

"Ry," she spoke timidly. "Where's Christian?"

"I'm not sure," Ryland scratched his head. "Last time I saw him, he was dragging Marie to the balcony."

"Oh."

"You okay?"

"I am," she nodded. "It's just... I'm kinda overwhelmed. Your grandfather knows how to drop a bomb."

"Uh, bomb?"

"He's offering to let me manage The Duchess," Brie whispered to Ryland. She wasn't sure anyone else knew of the offer just yet. Better safe than sorry.

Ryland's eyes grew wide. With a loud cheer, he picked up Brie by the waist and spun her around. What a pair they must have looked.

"That's awesome, Brie!" He said when he finally put her down. "You're really part of the fold now. Why don't you look as ecstatic as one would expect you to be?"

"I am. Really," she gave a small smile that didn't quite seem to reach her eyes. "But it's The Duchess, Ryan. You do know what that means, don't you?"

"I'm not," Ryan's smile fell a little when he finally followed Brie's train of thought. "The Duchess."

"Can't you-"

"No, Ry. You of all people should know you can't manage a hotel as efficiently if you weren't physically there."

"But it's nearly an hour away!" He whined.

"An hour? I know you drive like a maniac, but it actually takes four hours for a normal person to drive from here to Boston without risking any lives."

"Drive?" Ryland scoffed. "Who said anything about driving? Might I remind you that there's a family and a company jet."

"Just to travel between neighbouring states? Don't be ridiculous!"

"Fine, the helichopper then!"

"Helichopper?"

"Never could get the name right when I was a kid."

"Oh," Brie laughed. "Seriously, Ry. It isn't that much of a big deal. We hardly see each other that much anyway. I actually expected the major fuss from Christian, not you. Besides, I haven't fully decided yet. It hasn't even been an hour since the proposal was sprung on me."

"But," Ryland opened his mouth to protest yet again. But the sound of someone clearing their throat on stage caught his attention. And everyone else's for that matter.

"Good evening, family," Christian's voice filled the hall. "I hope you're all enjoying the evening."

Brie turned her focus to the man on the stage. Ryland took up the spot behind her, boldly resting one hand on her waist. She didn't shrink away, so he took that as a good sign.

"Right," Christian went on. "I interrupted your evening for a purpose. I have exciting news to share."

Surely Christian couldn't have known about her and The Duchess yet, right? For a moment, Brie panicked. Ryland felt her jump so he repositioned his hand to her shoulders.

"Relax," he whispered, kneading her shoulder blades lightly.

"I'm getting married!"

Brie froze. Ryland's hands stilled.

"Marie, baby. Come up here with me."

At first the crowd was as stunned as Ryland and Brie were. But as soon as one person clapped, the whole room erupted in applause and well wishes.

Brie suddenly felt so lightheaded. She needed to get out of there, fast.

"I think I need some air," Brie stepped out of Ryland's hold and started for the balcony.

"Brie," he called out but she sped away. Gathering his wits about him, he followed her just to make sure she was alright.

Christian craned his neck above the crowd, eyes searching for the one person he was most excited to share the news with. He finally spotted Brie making her way towards the balcony. Didn't she hear his announcement?

What confused him more was his cousin following after her. Before Ryland went through the balcony doors, he looked back to the stage and threw him a dark look. What the hell is going on?

"Baby?" Marie's voice pulled him back from his thoughts. "Your grandfather's coming this way."

---

"Hey," Ry called out to Brie as he stepped into the night.

She was standing on a corner of the balcony, illuminated only by the glow of her cellphone. He shuffled closer, wrapping his coat around her bare shoulders. She was staring at her screen, a simple word that he knew meant a great deal to her.

'Always'

He didn't speak, knowing fully well she needed to process recent events. When she did, he found himself stunned for the second (third?) time that evening.

"I'm taking Matteo's offer. I'll manage The Duchess."

---

TBC