Page 20 of Fury

The muscle in his jaw flexed. What did that mean? She was desperate for the closeness they used to share. But Davis had clearly been through things that had changed him. He still cared, she could tell that much, but he seemed to be holding her at arm’s length, which confused her.

A strained moment of silence passed between the three before Randall broke in. “As the executor of the estate, you will have various paperwork you’ll need to sign along the way, Hollyn. I can bring it here, or you’re welcome to come to my office.”

“Thank you.” Did she look as drained as she felt? Why did she even care right now anyway?

“As we discussed this morning, I brought the will with me,” Randall said. “You two are the only named parties, so it’s really a simple situation.” He looked between her and Davis. “Unless you’d prefer another time.”

Biting her lip, pressure rising in her chest, Hollyn couldn’t help but think that the reading of the will seemed so final. As if there was still hope if it remained unread. She jiggled the gold globe on her necklace back and forth and lifted her gaze to Davis, willing him to step in. Give her guidance or something.

“Up to you,” he replied to her silent plea.

Right. Under the weight of both men’s focus, Hollyn could feel the room getting smaller. She could say she wasn’t feeling up to it. That was certainly true. They’d understand. Probably wouldn’t even question it.

The thought of hearing things her parents had planned out before their death made her queasy, but there was no sense in putting this off. It wouldn’t be easier tomorrow. Or the next day. Better to just get it over with.

“Okay, let’s get this done.” Her chin quivered and she took in a slow breath. She didn’t want to break down again. She’d cried more in the last twenty-four hours than all her high-school years combined. She wanted to be strong.

Ha! That’s a pipe dream, Hollyn. You’re not strong.

Randall gave her a practiced smile and pulled a folder from his briefcase. “All right.”

Hollyn sank back against the fluffy couch as Randall began.

“Davis.” He handed over a piece of paper. “To you, the Reinhardts left their cabin on the Minlan, Tennessee, property and ten acres surrounding it. They owned it free and clear and created a stipend to cover the annual costs such as property tax and upkeep.”

Hollyn managed a small grin. She knew how much that would mean to Davis. From the time they’d become friends in fifth grade all the way through to high-school graduation, the cabin built in the early 1800s near the lake had been his favorite spot on their property. On more than one occasion, he’d said it was the only place he felt at home. His family life had been broken at best, much like hers before getting adopted.

Turned out Dad had listened and stored that information away. So like him. Generous and kindhearted.

A pang of sadness nearly took her down, but she fought to recover.

“You’ll also see listed the financial portion of the inheritance as well as the stocks and bonds they wished transferred to you. Ansel was also insistent that you take possession of the 1948 Willys Jeep. It’s been stored in an enclosure at the cabin.”

Davis’s knee bobbed rapidly up and down. The corded muscles in his forearm flexed, but his facial expression remained unchanged. Stoic and somber.

So . . . not happy, then? Or was she simply unable to read his poker face?

“Hollyn.” Randall handed her a piece of paper as well. “Everything else has been entrusted to you, including your father’s controlling interest in Reinhardt Tech.”

“What?” she breathed. She’d assumed that if anything ever happened to Dad, the company shares would be divvied up between the other funding members of the company. But this . . . She was only a couple years past being an intern. Now she had a place at the table where all the decisions were made? It was too much pressure! The board would not be happy about this.

Dad, what were you thinking?

Randall moved on. “This villa, I’m sure you know, is under a seven-year lease. There are two years remaining. If you want to stay after that time, we can renegotiate a new lease. Or there are the options of simply living here until the end of the contract or terminating the lease early. The home in Tennessee is currently rented out.”

Hollyn’s head was spinning. She dropped her gaze to her hands, clasped so tightly in her lap they were hurting. There was a dry patch of skin on her first finger. She scraped it over and over with her thumbnail. Tried to buy herself a second to soak all of this in, but her mind was racing.

Davis reached over and gave her wrist a soft squeeze before settling back, not looking at her. There he went again. Giving just enough to reel her in before he put the wall back up between them. Despite herself, she instantly missed his touch. There was something reassuring about it. As if everything would be okay.

But it wasn’t going to be okay. Not ever again.

Hollyn heard Randall rummaging around in his briefcase. Looked up.

“Ansel made a video for you, Davis. And instructed me to give you this letter.” He spoke the last to Hollyn, holding out a folded piece of paper to her. The wax seal with an embellished R in the middle reminded her of all the times she’d sealed letters with the same stamp as a kid. She’d felt so grown up.

Gingerly, she took the letter but knew there was no way she could read it. At least, not . . . yet. She tried not to be upset that her parents had recorded a video message for Davis but not her. They always had a reason for the things they did.

The German shepherd’s head popped up, and he nosed the drive Davis was handed.

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