nora
a slab of dry ice in my hands as we emerged ont
ed beast. He clicked the key fob, the heavy locks disengaging with
ossing his leather j
e leather, clean cedar, and ozone e
g his large hands comfortably on the steering rim. "You're the o
with the trust executors at ten o'clock tomorrow to initiate the transfer. If she
tting out an aggressive, low-pitched rumble as we s
rough the vehicle's surround sound. The cal
teering wheel without breaking eye con
eam is in my office right now. The Tribune is running a feature on your personal life on Sunday. I told you
casually, flicking on his turn signal. "And tell
d you ju
oward me and the gold-stamped marriage certificate resting on my lap. "I said, I got marr
e line. Then, the distinct sound of a cryst
at?!" Ferna
in-laws now," Beckham smirked. "T
call with a single
"Did you really have to use me to
. "That was just clearing the board. My father respects leverage. Right now, Jack Hester's surviving heir brings thirty
s contract," I rem
smoothly. "And I'm a ver
and brick manor, built by my great-grandfather, loomed behind ancient oak trees. It was the only place in the world that felt
up to the front portico, killed the engine, and hopped out,
r?" he murmured, o
crook of his elbow. His muscles were like carved s
ooked after me as a child, stood in the foyer, her eyes red-rimmed. When she saw me, then r
a! What..
awake, Maria?"
drawing room with some papers, Miss
half a pace behind, his heavy boots sounding with
et settee, swirling a glass of white wine
Clarine was saying, not looking up. "Once Nora is safely shipped off
pen, Gary," I announced, stepp
Eleanora! How dare you barge into this house in the middle of the ni
am stepped out of the entryway shadows a
olled across the mahogany desk and f
t, his face draining of
ed himself two fingers of my father's twenty-year-old Macallan, and turned back t
he sofa. "What kind of cheap theatrics are
m my folder, and slammed it down flat against the ledger.
The moment I enter into a legally certified marriage, all interim conservatorships are immediately dissolved. Full executive auth
she scanned the signatures. Her eyes widened in absolute horror. "No... no
taking a slow sip of the whiskey. His voice was silky, yet carried the absolute weight of a death sentenc
lite elegance, her face ugly with rage. "You think you're clever, Nora?! You married a man whose o
wn on the mantelpiece, stepped up behind me, and placed both hands firm
and your husband haven't vacated this house by five o'clock on Sunday, I won't just have the sheriff carry your designer lug
. "Clarine... come on. Let's go. We can't fight the Wall
hink you've won, Nora? You're nothing to him. When he's done using you to clea
she was forced to look away. "But tonight, I own this house. An
nd dragged a trembling Gary down the hall. The heavy oak front doo
night suddenly evaporating, leaving behind a hollow, bone-deep
arm slid around my waist, pulli
er than I had ever heard it. "Brea
green eyes. "It's just the beginning. Jared still has all m
s glint returning to his gaze. "Th
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