Paler than she’d been when she had first entered my office and maybe a little shell-shocked, she nodded and followed behind me as we headed toward the meeting room.
I cursed myself for the bastard I was with every step I took.
When we were only a few steps away from the meeting room and I could see Bryan and Jodi Coleson sitting next to each other, their backs to us, I glanced at Rose and saw her breathing was a little out of control, her eyes huge and unsure.
“Ready?” I asked, already guessing what her answer would be.
“Can’t really say that I am.”
I nodded. That was good enough.
“When was the last time you talked to your cousins?”
She rubbed her temples before looking up at me. “Last week, maybe? Maybe more? Why?”
“Leave it to me.”
We stepped in the room. Standing side by side. She had that particular death grip on her handbag that was hanging on her shoulder again.
“Tim,” I interrupted and everyone in the room, including Jodi Coleson and Bryan Coleson, turned to look at us. “I’m sorry for being late to the meeting.”
Tim shuffled the pages he held in his hand, stood up and took off his glasses, his eyes on Rose. “Hello Jack. Miss Rose, I’m glad you could join us. I won’t hold you for too long, we just need you to—”
“Tim,” I said again and waited until his gaze met mine. “I thought you’d like to be informed so you can make the necessary changes. Rose Coleson is my fiancée and we’re getting married in a few days.”
“You’re…you’re getting married to Miss Rose? What?” While Tim stood there staring at me and Rose with a stupefied expression, Bryan slowly pushed himself up and faced Rose.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, his already hard gaze jumping from Rose to me. “Explain.”
“Bryan, Jack and I are getting married.” She forced out a laugh and shifted on her feet. “I know that sounds a little—”
“It sounds like you’re fucking with me, cuz.”
I took a step forward and left, putting myself in front of Bryan and forcing Rose to take a step back.
“I know this is a surprise to your family, Mr. Coleson, so I’ll let that one go, but I’d suggest you watch your words when you’re speaking to my fiancé.” I looked away from him and addressed the room. “I proposed to Rose last week, and we thought this would be a good time to share the news with you. We couldn’t do it before because we wanted some privacy to celebrate. Tim, I believe this will change the situation regarding the property on Madison Avenue.”
“This is complete bullshit,” Bryan burst out as his sister, Jodi, sat there and watched it all unfold with a bored expression. “This situation, whatever the hell this act is, changes nothing. She still isn’t getting the property. How stupid do you think I am?”
“Oh, I couldn’t say, Mr. Coleson. We’ll be family shortly and I wouldn’t want to insult you.” I watched as the color on his face darkened. “Also, in the will, Gary Coleson clearly states that, in the event that he passes away, the ownership of the property on Madison Avenue will transfer to Rose’s husband. The time limit was until 2020, I believe, but we can always check. I’m only explaining this for your sake, Mr. Coleson, because I’m not marrying your cousin for a property. My feelings for her has nothing to do with what’s going on here.”
“Jack, maybe we should—” Tim started.
“If it has nothing to do with what’s going on here, you’ll lay no claim on the property,” Bryan forced out through clenched teeth, his eyes sliding to Rose.
“The property, I believe is Gary Coleson’s last gift to his niece. I’m sure you’re not trying to ignore your father’s wishes.”
Bryan’s hands slowly balled into fists and he took one more step forward.
Tim cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger. “Jack maybe this wasn’t the best time to…uh, share the good news. Maybe we can schedule another meeting for—”
“Yes, I think that would be better. Rose and I will expect to hear from you soon.”
“I will contest the will,” Bryan said, his eyes glittering with anger before I could get us out of there. He was talking to Rose, his eyes on her. “I won’t let you have this. You’re doing this because I wouldn’t let you use the place and told you I had other plans.”
“If you contest, you’ll have to wait a long time to get your own share. I fight back Mr. Coleson,” I warned.
“Bryan,” Rose said from behind me. “I’m not marrying Jack for the property. I know the timing is…awkward, but it isn’t what you think. We met when…” She stepped up next to me and pushed her arm through mine.