Page 128 of The Christmas Wife

Amelie’s giggle reaches me. I glance up to find her leaning into Hunter. I clench my hand around my fork, which slips from my fingers and smashes into the plate. The clash rings out and everyone at the table turns to glance at me.

"Sorry, still getting used to using my non-dominant hand for every day stuff," I scowl.

Amelie straightens, glances at me and away. Good. At least, she’s heeding the warning.

"Your finger troubling you, much?" my mother asks.

I glance down at my right hand. "The cast comes off next week, then a few more weeks of therapy and I should be back at work by mid-January, at the latest," I reply.

"How did the accident take place?" Liam asks from his position at the foot of the table.

After father passed, Mother assumed the responsibility of running the business, until Liam took over. She still holds veto power on the board and is the head of the family.

"I was forced off the road," I reply.

"Forced off?" Liam frowns.

"No need to concern yourself. I am looking into it, with the Seven."

"The Seven." His lips twitch, "You place too much importance on their friendship."

"At least I have friends, unlike you," I shoot back, then wince. Shit, a few minutes in the company of my family, and hell, if the old insecurities don’t come tumbling back.

"I’m focused on my goals, on preserving and growing the family name. I’d do anything for it."

"Including getting married and producing an heir, no doubt?" I scowl.

"If that’s what’s needed of me, I won’t shirk my duties." Liam wipes the edges of his lips with his napkin.

"You’re getting married?" Amelie leans forward, her gaze sparkling. "Who’s the lucky woman?"

"Someone I haven’t met yet," he says coolly.

"So, you don’t know her, but you're marrying her?" She frowns.

"Until he does, he doesn’t get to take over the family business," Kirsten explains. "Nor, for that matter, can Weston."

"Huh?" Amelie scowls across the table.

I stiffen, nudge Kirsten with my knee. She shuffles away. Fuck! Why do little sisters always have to be such a pain?

"Explain," Amelie insists.

"Until both of my brothers marry, and specifically for Liam, until he produces an heir, they cannot get access to the family business?—"

"—Or to their trust funds," my mother completes the sentence. "It’s tradition," she elaborates. "Something decreed by my husband’s grandfather, and which I hope my sons will honor."

"And Kirsten?" Amelie asks.

"I don’t count," she smirks. "Only a woman, after all, and all that."

"And you know your father changed his will to ensure that you inherit your share of the money," Mother retorts.

"I don’t get access to the company," she protests.

"Doyouwant access to the company?"

"Guess not," she admits. "Still, it would have been nice if Dad had given me the choice."

---