Stealing Her (Covet 1)

Why would he?

He controlled it.

“I’m not Julian,” I hissed, lunging toward his desk.

He held up his right hand. “Actually, I have a contract that says you are. Utter one more sentence like that again, and I’ll have your mother institutionalized. Are we clear?”

“She’s sick, not crazy.”

“People believe what I tell them.” He smiled. “Remember who holds the keys to this massive kingdom and we’ll be just fine. You will marry her, you will say your vows with adoration and love in your voice, you will give her your body and your soul, and when Julian wakes up, we talk. What he doesn’t know won’t kill him.” He sighed, and for the first time I saw the stress in his eyes as he jabbed his finger into a stack of papers. “Not that you care, but there’s been talk these last three weeks. Talk about you not being mentally able to continue working for me, talk that you and Isobel are headed for a split . . .”

My stomach dropped. “Well, maybe if someone could keep it in his pants.”

My dad’s eyes flashed. “It’s part of the game, son, part of the lifestyle. Julian knows how to play the game well. He knows the sacrifices that need to be made. Do you?”

“I’m only in this for Julian and Mom.”

“Exactly,” my dad snapped. “You were always so stubborn, so defiant. At the time I saw it as a weakness, now I see it as your greatest strength. Prove the media wrong and get the deal inked.” He opened a leather folder and turned it around, showing it to me.

“Thirty percent equity,” I read out loud, “of Tennyson Financial.” My stomach dropped. “Bridge Anderson, dated—” My entire body swayed as I continued reading the stipulations. All the zeroes. And the little yellow brick road that took me into marriage with Izzy and a big fat check I would cash once we said “I do.” “Are you telling me that I’ve had a trust fund this entire time?”

Dad gave me a smug look. “I figured you’d come to your senses, that you’d finally realize the grass was greener. You think I don’t know you work two jobs? Sometimes three? That you can barely put food on the table with her medical bills?”

“So?” I threw my hands up in the air. “I’ve had money this entire time? And what? You want me to finally claim it?” Blood money, that’s what it was.

“Son, it’s your inheritance. Besides, Julian was the one that kept pressuring me to contact you after you graduated from school, but months turned into years, and well, if I’m being honest, I didn’t want to give that woman you call your mother a cent.”

I flinched. “You cheated on her.”

“She left me,” my father fired back. “Me!”

“Ah.” I crossed my arms. “Pride still bruised?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Take the portfolio. If you have questions, I left a card from one of the company lawyers in front. It’s your choice. Once Julian is awake, you’ll walk away a very rich man.” If I married Izzy. If I did what he said. If I kept my mouth shut. And then what? I’d just pass her off to my brother? After all of that? She would be left to believe that he’d been here the whole time, and I’d be taking money for it.

“What happens if he doesn’t?” I was afraid to ask, but it needed to be out there in the universe. It felt like the sentence hung between us, unsure of its own answer as much as I was.

Dad sobered and then stared me down. “I refuse to believe that any of my sons would be so weak as to give in to death.”

I shook my head. “You’re insane.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “Maybe not. But everything I have is because I’ve fought for it. We sign contracts Monday, we celebrate this weekend at the banquet with IFC. Try not to look so pissed. You’re about to have sex with one of People’s most beautiful women alive, son. Just think about it, while your brother’s dreaming of unicorns, you’ll be between her thighs. Tell me, which do you prefer?”

At the sharp pain in my jaw, I realized I had clenched it tight. “Talk about her like that again and I’m going to—”

“I don’t have time for any more petty threats. We both know you signed an ironclad contract. Take Isobel home, convince her any way you know how. You have one day before the announcement. I suggest you attempt to look better than you do now so the board sees you as fit to run Tennyson Financial. Try not to be an embarrassment. I know it’s your default, but you’re a Tennyson above all else, and people will be watching.”

I fisted my hands, beyond prepared to use them on my father. “I’m twice the man you are. Watch me.”