Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

“Is this about Pops?” I asked carefully.

“Depends on what you mean.”

“Are you after the Dunes for revenge? Tell me that that is not what you want.” In my heart, it felt better if he was interested in the millions he could make.

“I’m not after Cole.” He hung his head.

“Then what? Why are you doing this? He’s just trying to do something good for his son. Can’t you see that?”

“His son.” He paused. “Can you imagine what my childhood was like?” His piercing eyes were sharper than usual. “I saw my dad maybe a few times a year. Maybe. And the crazy thing is, I knew where he was. I knew there was another family. I knew he was raising his parentless grandson, and I knew the grandson and I were the same age. Do you know what that does to a boy?”

I shook my head. I had known about Aiden’s existence for over a month and still hadn’t reconciled the Pops Cole told me about with the Pops who fathered Aiden. It didn’t seem like the same man could devote so much of his life to Cole, while Aiden was a secret.

“After his wife died, he could have lived with us. I know he could have. He could have moved us here. My mother would have done anything to have that happen. So would I. What boy doesn’t want to live with his father? Play catch in the yard? See him in the stands at his ballgames? Who doesn’t want that?” I saw a slight mist cover his otherwise bright eyes. “But no, Dad said he couldn’t do that to Cole. He said he had responsibilities with his business, with the island, with his grandson. He broke our hearts.”

“I don’t know what to say.” I felt terrible. “Did you ever talk to him about it?”

“Talk?” Aiden scoffed. “I never saw him.”

“Then how do you know all of this? Maybe there was more going on.”

His eyes cut through me. “My mom told me everything. I believe her.”

I had entered dangerous territory, but Aiden was the one who had brought it up. “I’m sorry you went through all of that. What about her? Where is your mother now? Maybe you could get some more answers.”

“She died right before Dad did. Her funeral was the last time I saw him. He stayed just long enough for the service and then left right after. He didn’t even stay for the church dinner.” He shook his head. “I didn’t even know he was sick. Imagine finding out your father died in a newspaper article.”

“Oh my God. I-I can’t even begin to think how you must have felt. No one should have to go through that.”

His eyes lifted toward mine. “Cole thinks he needs to hold on to this place because it’s all he has of his Pops.” He sighed. “That’s exactly why I need it gone. I don’t need reminders of my dad.”

My jaw dropped as Aiden hustled out the door and jumped over the side door of his convertible. For the first time, I knew exactly what his angle was.

The next day Cole received the manila envelope we had both been dreading. Aiden wasn’t kidding about the lawsuit. There it was in black and white.

Aiden Thomas v. Cole Thomas.

“I guess my idea didn’t work.”

I peeked around Cole’s shoulder while he read the legal documents. No amount of Dunes hospitality, shrimp dinners, or double chocolate brownies could have stopped that man.

“He was going to do it regardless of how nice you were, Kaitlyn.” Cole threw the envelope on the counter. “I’m going to have to hire a lawyer.” He hung his head. I could see that telltale vein throbbing on the side of his neck.

I didn’t want to say it, but there was always another option. “Have you thought about not fighting it?”

“What, are you crazy? Of course I’m going to fight for it.” He dug the bottom of his crutch into the floor. He was down to using only one. It was a slight improvement in his mobility. “He can’t waltz in here and take something that’s mine. This is Grayson’s birthright we’re talking about.”

My hand instinctively landed on my belly. He had no idea he was fighting for his two children yet.

“It does sound crazy, and it’s not because I think you should love this place any less, but you’re already in debt. Taking on a legal battle like this could take years even if he can’t win in the end. And there is no financial gain for you even if you do win. It could ruin you financially for the rest of your life.” I paused. “Instead, you could go back to school, finish your degree, go back to working on wind power for the island like you were going to do.”

“And what would you do? If I sell the Dunes, where does that leave you?”

I wrapped my arms around his waist, careful not to lean on his leg. “I’m here with you. Wherever that is, is where I’m going to be.”

Cole sighed. “Thank you.” He kissed the top of my forehead. “But it’s not his. Pops left it to me. He doesn’t have the right to do this—destroy our plans, take away the one inheritance I have. Who is this guy?”

“Do you want me to talk to Mary Ellen? See if she has any influence over him? He should be on his way to Chapel Hill to see her tomorrow. Maybe she can talk some sense into his thick skull.”