Page 68 of Burning Daylight
I swallow. There’s about to be more wealth at my fingertips than I could even dream of, and the knowledge makes me feel sick to my stomach.
“Do I need to sign it?” I ask.
Frederick smiles and shakes his head. “Nope, it’s always been in place. The only thing you need to sign is the petition to have your name changed back legally.”
I furrow my brows. “How long does that take?”
Frederick glances at my father. “I’ve got some friends who owe me favors that will push it through.”
Blowing out a breath, I lean forward and grab a pen, signing my name where he directs me.
“There is one more thing for you to sign, actually.” He pushes another pile of papers toward me.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“An agreement. If you leave Rosebrook Falls, or if you pass away, then you forfeit your inheritance.”
“Why the hell would I sign that?”
Frederick chuckles. “It’s just added insurance, really, to make sure you don’t come here for a few weeks, get bored, and decide to head out again, taking everything with you.”
I scoff. “So if I’m gone, andhedies…” I point to my father. “Who gets the money?”
My father clears his throat. “It would go into Freddy’s name so he can disburse everything back into the town.”
My brows rise. “I don’t know why you think I’d want to sign that.”
“Because the second you do, I’ll putthistrust in place,” my father states, nodding toward his lawyer.
A new page slides across the desk, and this one has Brooklynn’s name. Her real name.
Harper Argent.
“Your sister’s trust.”
My lungs collapse then expand, something deep inside me rattling loose.
Is it that easy?
“You’d give her this, even though she isn’t yours?” I ask.
He shrugs. “If she’s important to you, then she’s important to me.”
“Why haven’t I had this trust the entire time again?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at my father.
“You did,” he said. “I’ve had this in place for you since you were born. But your mother…”
He trails off, looking to the side.
“My motherwhat?”
“I couldn’t allow a paper trail. You have to understand, all of this was to try and shield you. I shouldn’t have even let her keep my phone number.”
I rub my temples, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees. “And now you’re using it as a bartering tool.”
“Things are never in black and white, Roman,” Frederick says, standing up straight and clapping me on the back. “Unless you’re planning on dying or running off, you have nothing to worry about. And neither will your sister.”
“Why now?” I ask. “Why did you agree so willingly? And don’t give me the ‘my choice’ bullshit. There’s something else here.”
