Sean: A Stepbrother Romance (Coded for Love 3)

“His last chance to make us dance to his tune,” Rex murmured.

Carmen rolled her eyes.

Thankfully Chris didn’t catch the comment and launched into his summary.

Carmen attempted to focus on Chris as he read, but she was constantly aware of Rex at her side. Rex: dark, volatile and unpredictable. He still demanded her attention without doing anything at all. She resisted as best she could.

When she took a quick glance his way she discovered he was staring blatantly at her. Her blood rushed in her ears. Chris’s voice faded in and out and she had to struggle to focus on what was being said.

The first part of the document was devoted to Rex’s inheritance of various stocks and shares, and a property in the Channel Islands. “To my son, Rex, I leave the marina apartment in Jersey and the mooring rights, in recognition of his attachment to the place during family holidays as a young boy.”

Carmen noticed Rex’s expression changed on hearing the personal information attached to the request.

Chris summarized some money allocations and provisions for long serving staff, several of them who had retired; the rest still held posts at the manor. “Briefly, the key factor here is the property known as the Lodge House, which is the current residence of Mr. and Mrs. Amery—the caretakers of Burlington Manor—should be granted to them with freehold ownership in recognition of the service they have provided over the years.”

Carmen nodded. She was pleased.

Chris glanced up to make sure he had their full attention before he moved on. “Regarding my estate, monies and the ancestral home known as Burlington Manor, it is my wish Carmen Shelby should receive a fifty percent share, the other share going to my only son, Rex.”

Carmen blinked. “Excuse me, did I hear right?”

Chris nodded. “Fifty percent ownership each,” he clarified.

Carmen’s heartbeat faltered. She expected it to go entirely to Rex and she would have to buy the entire property from him. Rex looked surprised by the arrangement, as well. Then he met her stare and his expression changed. His eyes lit.

“Although I have to point out the coffers aren’t exactly spilling over,” Chris added.

“No surprise there,” Rex commented, “the old man was better at spending money than making it.”

Chris nodded and continued. “The investment portfolio is reasonably strong, considering, but the property is the main thing we’re looking at here – in itself worth several millions.”

Carmen stared at Rex in confusion, then looked at Chris. “Are you sure about the share to me?”

He nodded and gestured at the papers, continuing to read. “This is in recognition of it being as much Carmen’s home as it was Rex’s. I also wish to celebrate the work my wife, Sylvia, did to retrieve the place from long-term neglect, making it an exceptional home for us all, a place I can truly hand on with pride.”

Carmen’s chest tightened. The references to her mother unbuckled her.

“Carmen?” Chris paused and looked at her with concern.

She’d covered her mouth with her hand. They probably thought she was about to burst out crying. “Please, go on. I’m just so surprised.”

That was an understatement. Burlington Manor. Half of it was already hers. The fact Charles Carruthers had considered her in his arrangements touched her deeply. When Chris looked at her she nodded his way.

What did Rex think? She thought he might be annoyed his father had made things rather complicated by sharing it between them, but when she glanced his way he smiled, his eyes narrowed as he watched her. She was sure he had no interest in the house and was ready to buy him out. She’d cashed in numerous investments and her bank had the funds ready for a fast transfer.

Chris was reading on. “In the unlikely event both Carmen Shelby and Rex Carruthers are deceased at the time of the reading of this will, I have named a third party who represents a charity I wish to benefit, Wilmington’s Cancer Care.”

“He thought of everything,” Carmen commented.

“He did indeed,” Chris agreed. He studied the papers, but didn’t comment further.

“He had a lot of time on his own in the end,” Rex commented wryly, “to think on it.”

Carmen sighed. “Rex, do you have to?”

He shrugged.

More provocative than ever, Carmen decided.