Page 33 of The Bargain

“Indeed…” I was going to kill this woman. Yep, kill her dead.

She’d probably heard the edge in my voice. Her face softened as a blush of self-consciousness marred her cheeks. “Oh, hello,” she said, looking quite embarrassed.

I would have been amused by her reaction if she had not just given so much ammunition to my sister.

Opal sat up on the floor, detailing my sister curiously.

“Mr. Beaumont, I told you I didn’t need a nanny for the evening. Mrs. James will keep an eye on Timmy for the next few hours.”

I turned toward Lea. Opal’s assumption made sense. Although Edward and I looked the same - both dark-haired like our mother and having the Beaumont trademark green eyes and aristocratic nose. Lea couldn't look more different. She had our father’s red hair and our mother’s brown eyes and button nose.

“This is my sister, Lea. The child’s aunt.”

“Oh!” Jumping to her feet, Opal ran her hand through her hair trying to give herself a sense of composure. As if that would change who she was... “I’m sorry.” She took a few steps toward Lea, extending her hand with a bright smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

My sister nudged me out of the way and shook her hand with an equally warm smile. It didn't have to mean that Lea liked her. She just knew how to put people at ease.

“I’m so happy to meet you too, Opal.” Lea turned to the child. Resting a hand over her heart, her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Timmy!” She looked at Opal. “He is so beautiful.”

Opal beamed as if she’d just been given a million dollars.

“May I?” Lea asked, extending her hands toward the child.

“Yes, please of course.”

I glared at her.Why is she being so friendly to Lea? Because she’s not a raging bitch, that’s why.

As Lea played with the child, she and Opal chatted as if they were old friends. How could my sister just ignore what this woman had caused? How? Because of her, our brother was rotting in the ground.

My dark thoughts brought the familiar warmth of anger to my chest a feeling I was so familiar with, it was almost comforting.

“Mr. Beaumont?”

Turning to see the butler standing in the corridor, I looked at him in a silent invitation for him to continue.

“Mr. Hardwell is here.”

I frowned. Why the fuck was my lawyer here already? “Doesn’t anyone know what a set time is?” I growled with frustration. “Show him to the small library. I’ll join him in a minute.”

I turned back to the two women and the child.

“Lea?” I gestured for her to follow me out of the bedroom. I didn’t want her with Opal without my supervision. I didn’t want her using any of her mind-boggling witcheries.

Sitting cross-legged in front of the child’s seat-up, she shook her head and waved me away. “I’m good here, brother. You go do your stuff. Opal and I will be down at seven sharp, won’t we, Opal?”

Opal looked at me with wide eyes. At least someone was scared of me. “I- uh- Yes, of course.”

“Lea…” I trailed off, barely containing my temper. I didn’t have time for her fucking games. I had a plan and a goal. I couldn’t have her messing it all up.

“Deanoooooo,” she replied, not even caring enough to look at me. She picked up the child’s giraffe and walked it on the plastic table in front of him. “I’ll see you later.”

Fuck that shit!I pursed my lips, straightening as my muscles tensed painfully from all the frustration.

I walked stiffly to the library.

“What do you want?” I barked to my lawyer as soon as I walked in. He was sitting in one of the leather chairs, a glass of liquor in his hand. “Please make yourself at ease,” I added with a bite of sarcasm.

He frowned but took a silent sip. He knew me by now; my angry outbursts didn’t faze him anymore. Phil Hardwell had been working for Beaumont Enterprises for over twenty years. He helped me hide my father’s ineptitude and my taking over the company when I was only fourteen. His loyalty through the years had earned him a certain leeway other couldn't afford.

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