Page 26 of Red

“No.” Walter shook his head slightly. “You are not.”

“So, you’re on board, then,” Nico piped up again. “If one of us marries her, and we pay off the debt with our own cash, we’re done with this whole thing, and the estate gets turned over in full?”

“Not one of us. Me.” Erik’s snapped his teeth, and he narrowed his gaze on his little brother.

“It would have to be Erik,” Walter explained, turning in his seat toward Nico. “The will stated Erik take a bride.”

“No judge would hold that up,” Nico pushed.

“A judge also wouldn’t have made us collect Kristoff’s debts, but here we are, Nico.” Erik leveled his brother with a glare. “It doesn’t matter that it’s not the letter of the law. This isn’t about law, it’s about what bullshit our uncle conjured up in order to fuck over our family. Going to court over the legality of any of this would’ve opened up an entire can of shit we don’t need.”

“Unfortunately, Erik is correct. If you were to bring all this to court, there could be other issues brought up. Other interested parties might become involved.” Walter hinted at what they all knew. Any disruption in the easy flow of their uncle’s death and disappearance could upset the other families. The matter needed to be resolved quickly and quietly.

Ian made a huffing sound from his corner but kept relatively silent.

“Okay, so, Erik marries her,” Nico agreed, his cheeks flushed.

“Don’t you think she should be the one to decide?” Ian’s question burst from him as though it had been pushing against his seams the entire afternoon.

“Ian.” Erik put a hand up. “We’re just exploring the options here.”

“Options.” He stood from his chair. “Like any of this has been an option. What options does she really have, anyway? If you’re willing to use what’s left of our inheritance to pay her debt, then why not simply do that and let her be?”

Erik’s aggravation peaked. Let her be? As in go? As in let her leave him?

“Because I still have to marry in order to get the estate and return the money we’ll be using to pay off the debt.” When had life gotten so damn complicated?

“So find someone else.” Ian waved a hand through the air.

“Do you not like her?” Erik asked with a tilt of his head. “Or is it you like her too much? Maybe you want her for yourself?”

Ian’s jaw clenched, and his hands fisted at his sides.

“Ian, it will be her choice.” Nico got up from his chair and placed himself in the middle of his brothers. Erik wouldn’t move from his desk, but if Ian charged at him, he wouldn’t allow the attack.

“Isn’t that right, Erik?” Nico gave him a pleading look.

“Yes. It will be her choice,” Erik agreed. And he would be sure she chose correctly.

Ian opened his mouth but snapped it shut.

“Would you rather Bertucci get his hands on her?” Erik asked, squaring off with his brother. “Because he wants her.”

“Why?” Ian asked in a hard tone.

“I don’t know yet. I’m working on it, but he offered more money than was reasonable for some girl he doesn’t know.”

“If she marries Erik, she stays protected,” Nico pointed out.

Ian’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Fine,” he muttered and stormed off, slamming the door behind him.

Nico’s shoulders lowered, and he blew out a breath. “Okay, then. So.” He turned to Walter.

Walter turned fearful eyes on Erik. “Yes. If you marry her, pay the debt with your own cash, it’s all legitimate.”

“And how long will it take for the estate to be turned over?” Erik asked. If he was going to bankrupt them, he needed to know how long they’d be out of money before the till was refilled.

“The bank accounts would be transferred to your name the next business day. The holdings would turn over to you immediately. It’s all ready for completion once you’ve met all of the…requirements your uncle put in place.”

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