Page 133 of Three Stepbrothers Save Christmas

“Then let's move this into the lounge so you are a little more comfortable,” Travis says as he stands. Ryan helps me to my feet and together, hand in hand we walk into the lounge, and I know this is going to change everything, forever.

69

Travis

Ryan sits on the sofa with Verity leaning against him, her legs tucked up underneath her. Ethan and I carry the two boxes into the lounge we retrieved from the house yesterday. I can see Verity watching them as she leans further into Ryan. Moments like this remind me why she needs all three of us. There is so much she needs to process, which affects different parts of her personality and who she is. Each of us is able to do that and be there when she needs us.

Ethan leaves the room and comes back a moment later with a chair. I thank him as I take it from him and sit in front of our girl.

“There is a lot to process in here, if you need to stop, or have any questions, just say. This goes at your pace and your pace only.” Verity nods as Ethan sits beside her. I pull the first box over to me and open it.

“Ethan got into the safe, and there was a lot of money in there. We are talking about eight hundred thousand pounds.”

Verity’s jaw drops open. “But where was it from?”

“Drugs. He had been stealing a small amount of the shipments he was in charge of and selling them for years. It looks like it started about the time your mum died.” I reach out and take her hand. “You remember the money he owed for the lost drugs?”

“The reason I was being forced into that marriage?”

“Yes. Well, he knew where they were the whole time. About half a million pounds worth was in the basement. He had blocked off the room to ensure no one suspected anything. He played his part well; no one truly believed he could have pulled something like that off. He was blackmailing Taylor, the other guy involved, and knew where he had hidden his share of the drug. He was in the clear as no one expected that he would have the drugs and sell his daughter. He made out you were everything to him.” I reach into the box and pull out a folder.

“This is a statement from The account I opened for you the other week when I was transferring the money to you. Yesterday, Nicholson transferred another two million into the bank. He took the cash and some of the drugs that were not his. He knew people would ask questions if you walked into a bank with that amount of cash, and we have nowhere safe enough to store it here. So, it made sense when he offered to transfer it over to you.” I pull out a piece of paper and hand it to her. I watch her frown at it for a moment before looking up at me. Ryan looks over her shoulder and whistles.

“Damn, that’s a lot of numbers.”

“How much is that?” she asks quietly.

“Just under seven million. It is yours to do with as you please. I’ve made sure it’s tax free so every penny of it and the interest is yours. No matter what happens, the three of us have no rights to any of it, and neither does anyone else.” I pull out a piece of paper and hand it to her. “This is a contract that Nicholson signed. It states no matter what happens now, you are not involved with the money or items, as in drugs, from the property. He has gifted you the money and can’t request for it to be returned or seek you to do anything because of it.” I pass her a second piece of paper.

“This one states that even in the event of a separation or divorce, the three of us don’t get a penny unless you offer it to us. Even then, I know I personally won’t accept it.” I point to the bottom of the page where my signature is. “I have already signed it, I know the others will too.” Without hesitation, both agree as Verity looks at us, the worry etched all over her face.

“That doesn’t mean we are looking to leave you or ever plan on it,” I reassure her. “This is purely to protect you and give you peace of mind.” I take the papers from her and hold her hand in mine. “People have taken control of your money and life for too long, and we plan on helping you to take that control back. Starting with giving you the money you are owed and entitled to.”

“What Travis means is that money is yours to do with as you please. You are lucky enough to have a fantastic accountant to hand twenty-four-seven. Trust me, what that man doesn’t know about money isn’t worth knowing.” Ethan grins at her as he nudges her with his shoulder. “I should know I like spending,” he winks as he gets her to chuckle slightly.

I’ve always thought his immaturity was going to be a problem, but I realise now it's what she needs. Verity has been forced to grow up so fast that the little inside her needs someone who gets them. Ethan is perfect for that, and will help her in ways I know me and Ryan, who are both a little too sensible at time, can’t.

“Do you have any questions about any of that? Is there anything you want confirmation on?” Ryan asks. Verity shakes her head and looks back at me.

“I think I’m keeping up. It’s just a lot.”

“I know, Sweetheart. But just say if you need a break or something.”

“I’m okay,” she replies, letting me know I can continue. I pull out another folder and open it.

“This was also in the safe. It’s something we need to deal with as soon as possible.” I take a deep breath, knowing this is going to break her heart. “What can you tell me about your Auntie Trish and her accident?”

Verity frowns and I know she is trying to work out where this is going, but I wait to see what she says.

“Not much. She had a crash one evening and suffered a bad head injury. She has been in hospital since.”

“What kind of head injury did she sustain?” I ask.

“I don’t know. No one would give me a straight answer. Just that it left her confused and paranoid. She can get so worked up that they have to sedate her from time to time,” Verity continues to frown as she watches me. “What’s in that folder.”

I look down at the folder in my hand and let out a sigh.

“This was hidden away in the back of the safe. It is a medical report that says Trish is absolutely fine, and there is nothing to suggest she has any brain injuries.”

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