Page 27 of Red

“Good. I expect to see you tomorrow, then. We’ll finish this once and for all and be done with it.” Erik glanced at the door. The meeting was over.

“Tomorrow?” Nico stepped closer. “So soon? You haven’t even spoken with her yet.”

Walter packed up his briefcase then gave Erik a wary grin. “Tomorrow, then.” He inclined his head and made his way out of the room.

“Walk him out, Nico,” Erik said.

Nico’s jaw tensed.

“Nico. Go.” Erik had let his brothers sit in on the meeting because the inheritance, although in his name only, affected them as well. But it changed nothing about who ran the family.

Nico stalked out, following the attorney who would finally put an end to the mess his uncle had put them in.

Erik picked up his phone and dialed.

“Hello?”

“Daniel. Hey, it’s Erik Rawling.” He leaned into his chair.

“Erik. Hey,” Daniel responded.

“My brother set up an interview for a girl, Melinda Manaforte, for tonight, before the catalogue party.”

“Yeah. I talked with him a few days ago.”

“I need to cancel the interview and respond to my invitation with a plus one.” Erik drummed his fingers on his desk. His eyes caught Nico’s when he walked back into the office.

“Plus one. No problem. What’s the name for the list?”

“The same. Melinda Manaforte.”

Silence broke out over the phone.

“The girl? You’re bringing her as a guest?”

Erik kept his gaze fixed on Nico’s. “Yes. My guest. Is that a problem?”

“Of course not. I’ll get the names on the list. When you get here, enter through the rear of the house. You’ll walk through the gardens—”

“I remember.” It had been a while, but this wouldn’t be his first catalogue party at the Annex.

“Good. I’ll look for you. Be good to see you again.”

“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.” Erik stilled his fingers on the desk. “Tonight, then.”

“See you then.” Daniel ended the call. Erik’s uncle had disgraced their family, keeping Erik from attending any parties at the Annex or conducting business with its owners. But the time had come for that to end.

With the estate finally coming to him, he could start working on the building of his casino. And he would need the Titon family to do it.

“You’re taking her to the party?” Nico’s tone held a forced casualness.

Erik rose and tucked his phone into his pocket. “Yes. You wanted her to have the choice, right? She’s going to need to see all of her options.”

“You’re so sure she’ll chose marriage to you?” Nico asked. He’d appeared more than a little on edge after seeing Erik carrying Melinda to bed the night before, but Erik didn’t make a habit of explaining himself to anyone. And he wasn’t starting today.

“I am. Has she come down yet?” He’d left her sleeping. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he hadn’t wanted to leave the comfort of his bed. She’d slept deeply beside him, snuggled up to his body. He’d felt every breath, every sigh, and held her tight when she shivered from the slightest chill.

Nico sighed. “I think she’s in the kitchen.” He paused a beat. “She’s not going to go along with this, Erik. She wants her freedom, not a marriage proposal.”

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