Page 21 of Nico
James stared at the child and felt an overwhelming sense of protection. This was their flesh and blood. Naturally, they would do a DNA test, but his wife was right. The child was definitely their blood. A grandchild! It wasn't a boy grandchild, but none of that mattered right now.
Lifting his head, he met the mother's gaze. "We'll need to sign documents. And if you're thinking of reneging after you sign, you're going to be in for an ugly battle."
Brigette met his gaze bravely and tried not to shiver at the ruthless look on his face. "I won't." She moved over to her daughter. "I need a moment alone with her and Nico, please."
"We'll be in the study." James rose and gestured to his wife. "I'll have Jeffry come over with the necessary documents." He stopped to touch the little girl's rioting curls gently. "Welcome to the family my dear."
The silence in the room was unnerving and the little girl seemed to sense the tension. Her eyes suddenly filled with tears, and she clung to her mother.
"She's overwhelmed." Brigette scooped her up and went to sit back down.
"She's not the only one." Nico muttered. "I still don't understand why I wasn't told." He tried to temper his tone because of the child.
"I was intimidated."
His frown deepened. "By me?"
Brigette nodded. "I had no idea the scope of your family's wealth until you left. And it scared me into wanting to keep her to myself." She glanced down at the little girl who was absorbed with playing with her toy. "You would have taken her away from me."
His expression hardened. "You had no way of knowing that."
She shook her head. "You're right. And I'm sorry. I should have told you." Tears filled her eyes. "Now she's all yours."
Chapter 6
It seemed to him that everything was happening at the speed of lightning. The lawyer had arrived promptly, and it occurred to him that money moved things right along. Jeffry Granger was not the head of the law firm that represented the company as well as the family, but was also a personal friend. He and his wife moved in the same circles, and Sylvie Granger was on several charitable committees along with his mother.
Nico also realized he had never seen his mother so animated. She had taken Gracie along with her mother upstairs to pick out a room.
"I think the pearl pink suite would do fine," she decided. It never dawned on her to consult with her son. Not that he had anything much to contribute anyway.
Now he was inside his father's completely masculine tan and gold den discussing the ramifications and what should be done with regard to the child.
Jeffry had his leather briefcase open and was leafing through some papers. James had poured them scotch and was behind his desk, his eyes watchful.
"You never knew about the child?"
Nico looked over at the man and frowned. "What do you think?"
"Easy, son. Jeffry is just trying to get a clear picture."
"Sorry," he muttered, tossing back the drink. "This has come as a shock to me. What's the best way forward?"
Jeffry shuffled papers. "The young woman is firm on the decision. We need it in writing, of course." He looked over at his friend. "I would recommend a DNA test."
"It will be," James nodded. "But it's also as clear as day that the little girl has our blood. She's the spitting image of my wifeand of course my children." He jerked his head towards his son. "Don't you agree?"
"Yes," Nico bit off the word. He was still in shock and had no idea what he should do. He had always been so bloody careful. That was his usual way of doing things. Now he was a father, something that had been dumped on him without warning.
"There you have it. What's next?"
"I'm pleased to know the young woman is not asking for any sort of compensation."
"She would not have received a cent," James' voice was hard as flint.
"I would have advised against it." He shuffled papers again and made notes. "This document is legal and binding. It states that she's handing over the child of her own volition and without coercion from anyone in the family."
"As long as it stands up in court, if she happens to change her mind." James lifted a glass paperweight and tossed it from side to side. "I've done some checking on the husband. Julian Thorpe is an art dealer and comes from money. He is several years older than she is."
