Page 58 of Brutal Kingdom

“What are you insinuating?”

“That the Lance’s are broke and they didn’t tell us. They’re hoping to keep us in the dark until their inheritance comes through, but that windfall may be delayed indefinitely, because it’ll be tied up in probate.”

“Our lawyers have seen their financial records, son. They’re fine.”

“Are they? Because I’ve seen some of those records, and they had more than a few questionable transactions.”

“That’s no cause for alarm. With the way the market and economy fluctuate, we’ve all had hiccups in our bank balances over the years. And if someone in their family died, a court fight about an inheritance is expected regardless of what’s said in the will. I’m just hoping that you, Hunter and Ava all trust my decisions enough not to fight when I’m gone.”

“Dad, they’re claiming to be heirs of Elijah Summers and therefore entitled to a share of ECS Enterprises.”

“That’s entirely possible. Bartholemew Summers didn’t have any children, so any distant relations could fall into the line of succession based on the codicil in his will.”

So dad’s seen this will and already knew this. Why wouldn’t he say anything?

“What if there’s a closer relation?”

“Overseas? I guess there could be, but they’d be directly named from their parents and grandparents, and the inheritance the Lance’s would get is separate from that.”

“Right. But what if there was a more direct relation in town?”

“Logan, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that before we sign our names in blood, we should be sure that we know everything we need to about the Lance’s, and that they’re inheriting ECS shares free and clear.”

Dad worries his chin. “This sounds like more than a hypothetical. I told you never to beat around the bush, now tell me what you’re really insinuating.”

“Elijah Summer had a second daughter, and her family is still in the states.”

The look on his face tells me this isn’t the first time he’s hearing this. “That’s a rumor that’s been debunked several times over. There have always been people claiming to be long-lost heirs from illegitimate children of founding families around here. They’re always grifters. Whatever you’ve heard isn’t true.”

“Have any of them come with papers?” I ask, handing him the documents I’ve compiled. I sit, letting him read for himself. When he’s done, he pinches the bridge of his nose. It’s his I need to think before I say anything else move.

“This is interesting data you’ve got here, but none of it proves this Imogen was related to Elijah…”

“I know. I know. It doesn’t prove or disprove anything. But dad, you have to admit it raises questions of legitimacy.”

“It raises questions, but not enough that I’m pulling out of our deal.”

“Dad…”

He raises his hand, stopping me. “I will put someone on this,quietly, and extend some dates, but we still precede as planned, because if this all turns out to be an elaborate con…”

I get it. I’ll still be marrying the bitch.

“Who is this supposed secret heir anyway, and why is he just now coming forward?”

“Shedidn’t know about it until last year, and wouldn’t have known if Bella hadn’t made such a big deal about her being here.”

He was still reading through the pages, and I can see he’s gotten to the document with her name on it, because now his disconcerting gaze is on me again. “If this is a game for you to get permission to…”

“Dad, I do a lot of manipulative shit. And I take pride in it. But that’s not what this is. I did my research because I thought this was another game Jordanna was playing. So far it all pans out.”

“Her mother was married to Penn Waldorf. If there was any legitimacy to this, don’t you think he would’ve pushed them to come forward and claim the money before he got caught stealing from his clients?”

“I think that depends on if them coming forward was in the best interest of his clients. He invested money for a lot of families around here, and we both know the best way to cover up the truth is to get the money man in on it.”

Arching his brow, he asks, “Proof of that?”

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