Page 76 of Code Name: Michelangelo

“Wait,” I said when I saw her heading in the opposite direction. I approached and took her hands in mine. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but…” Before finishing my sentence, I realized subjecting her to Richard Emsworth far exceeded “a lot.”

“If you’re asking me to stay, I will. I also understand if you’d prefer privacy.”

“Are you certain you wouldn’t mind sitting in?”

“Brand, after what you did for me with my father, how could I say no?”

“I don’t want you to feel obligated.”

Pen squeezed my hand. “I love you,” she whispered.

Richard raised a brow when I invited him to take a seat and pulled out a chair for her. “This is family business?—”

“Penelope stays, or this conversation is over before it begins.”

He scowled but nodded.

“You have an obligation to take your place at the helm of the Emsworth family business. In conjunction with me, of course.”

“This conversation is premature?—”

“In what way?” my father demanded.

“I cannot comment on anything until I have a full copy of the will, trust, and any addendum, amendments, or codicils.”

“That isn’t necessary?—”

I stood and tossed a business card on the table. “See to it the items I require are forwarded to my legal counsel. Until such time as they can review it, I will not be prepared to discuss any of this with you. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a full agenda today.”

“I should’ve anticipated you’d be just as difficult as you’ve always been. Most people would find the position you’re in to be quite enviable.”

“Those people wouldn’t be aware of the strings attached to my so-called obligation.”

He stalked out of the house in the same way he’d barged in.

I let out a breath I’d been holding and shook my head.

“It’s amazing how much he’s like my father. Quinn is the only one who’s lucky enough to have a dad who isn’t an asshole. Ava and Aine had it the worst, though.”

She was right. Their father had lived their whole life under an assumed identity—one of a man he’d arranged to have murdered. Once discovered, he’d tried to kill the twins, along with their half sister, in order to get his hands on bank accounts he’d put in their names. So, yeah, Richard Emsworth and Harold Ramsey were assholes, but to the best of my knowledge, they weren’t murderers.

“Whose business card did you give him?”

“A law firm Doc recommended. I should reach out and warn them they may hear from Richard soon.”

“Are you okay?” she asked when I rubbed the back of my neck.

“Yes. Fine. I don’t let him get to me. It’s more that Nemesis is anxious to meet. I fear?—”

Penelope put her fingertips on my lips and shook her head. “We’re going to make the best of today and every day until the time comes that we have to be apart.”

“Agreed.”

She took my hand in hers and led me in the direction of the bedroom. “Starting right now.”

Thanksgiving dinner had been chaotic, as Pen predicted it would be. Thankfully, though, Richard chose to leave early. I expected Tara to be disappointed he had, but she appeared relieved too. More than likely, he’d made everyone uncomfortable by creating a scene over me not giving in to his demands.

Now, we were on our way to London, where we’d stay until the new year. Nemesis had made arrangements for a flat so we didn’t have to stay at a hotel, and while Pen assured me again and again that she didn’t mind being away from the tribe, I sensed her melancholia.

---