Page 64 of Brutal Kingdom

“Bella, that’s never going to happen.”

“You trusted me once before. I can earn it back again.”

She’s so delusional she doesn’t even realize that the thing I’m saying will never happen is our marriage.

Sighing as if taking a huge leap of faith, I say, “You’re right. We do need to trust each other. With the Fiore’s going to school here and Graham Holt coming onto campus, we can’t afford to be at each other’s throats. If we’re snapping at each other, we’re not looking for outside threats.”

“Yes. We have to have each other’s backs.”

I scrub my hand through my hair. “Look, I did some digging already.”

“Into me?”

“Why would I be looking into you?”

“Right. Nothing. Go on.”

“Well, I don’t have any proof, but I have someone who says they know why she didn’t get kicked out of school after she broke the morality clause.”

“What did she do? Who’s she blackmailing?”

Her eyes gleam, her hands rub together excitedly, waiting for me to deliver the news. “It’s not blackmail. They overheard someone in the Administration Office saying the real reason Jordanna came to this school is because she thinks she’s related to one of the founding families.”

“Someone said that?”

“Yes, and they didn’t want to take action and expel her until they could prove it’s not true.”

“Logan, we know the names of all the founding families who ever lived here. None of them are Feldings.”

Double checking her story, I ask, “You had someone look into her when she first came here, right?”

“Of course, I did.”

“How far did you dig into her background?”

“What do you mean? I did an in-depth search. I even know what her mother named her pet rock when she was three, and the name of the first girl her great grandfather ever kissed.”

She’s digging her grave and I’m standing here helping her heap more dirt on top. “So there’s no truth to the rumor?”

“That the pauper princess is really the descendant of a founding family? Of course not.”

“Not just any founding family. They’re saying she’s the rightful heir to take over ECS Holdings. Meaning she’s a direct descendent of Elijah Summers bloodline, which we know can be traced back to the Bendevires.”

“That’s impossible.”

“I agree, but I’ve also heard your family can be traced to that same founding family.”

She smiles. “Well, I wasn’t going to say anything. I only just found out recently, and it’s not important. But yes, my family traces back to Charles Bendevire.”

“Right, so if the rumor was true, that would make Jordanna, what? Your cousin.”

Her face pales as she realizes I’m putting things together. She recovers quickly. “Logan, how often do people come here claiming to be related to this person or that and we find out it’s a lie to get close to us or to make themselves seem more important? If there were any truth to Jordanna being related to Elijah, then where has she been all these years, and why aren’t the Feldings listed anywhere in the Summer bloodline?” She gives me a scathing look. “You’re smarter than this. We don’t operate on rumors, we deal in cold hard cash and facts.”

That’s the thing about disowning a family member when it’s done correctly. Their line gets wiped from existence. And judging by how far back this goes, it’s easy for me to believe that this is true. Bella never once mentioned she had a direct line to a founding family until today. Her refusal to even entertain the idea that Jordanna could be linked to a founding family, just means she knows the truth. That’s why she’s hated Jordy since the beginning. Her being here jeopardizes everything Bella and her family stand to inherit.

“You want me to trust you, so I’ve told you what I’ve heard. And my sources tell me Jordanna’s research at the probate office is about this. So, this is the last time I’m asking. Are you sure there’s nothing detrimental to us in whatever information she’s digging up?”

She answers too quickly, “The only one of us who has any ties to ECS is me. Daddy just told me about the will, and after careful consideration, I’ve decided to claim the inheritance that Bartholemew left for me. It’s only right. And when I do, you and I will be one of the wealthiest couples in Kingsley Hollow and control of your family’s media empire will stay where it is.” Stepping closer, she smiles, wrapping her arms around my bicep. “And isn’t that what your daddy wants?”

---