Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Aristo wags a finger at me. “Not a word, Jameson. There is a stipulation that you two work together for a minimum of a year. Ownership of the company will remain in trust during that time. After that, you can tear each other to shreds, but you’re stuck with each other for the next twelve months.”
“I can handle that,” I say, not believing for a second that I can.
Holden’s response is a string of curse words that would make our late grandfather blush, and that man had a mouth on him.
“I’m glad you’re open to compromise, Jameson.” Aristo looks at me. “That’s not the only partnership you’ll be managing for the foreseeable future.”
“Meaning what?” I question with a perked eyebrow.
“Denia wanted you to have her penthouse on Madison Avenue.” He tosses one of the heart-shaped key chains at me.
I reach out to catch it in my palm. “Grandmother knew how much I loved hanging out with her there.”
Suddenly, he slides the other key chain across the table toward Sinclair. “You’ve also inherited the penthouse on Madison Avenue, Miss Morgan.”
Sinclair stares at the keys. “I what?”
“She what?” I join in, disbelief edging my tone.
Holden lets out a low chuckle. “This just got a hell of a lot more interesting.”
I shoot him a look. “Shut up.”
Aristo shakes his head. “Denia was very fond of Miss Morgan. This is what she wanted, so I encourage you to accept that, Jameson. Frankly, you don’t have another choice.”
He’s right. I don’t have a fucking choice in this.
Aristo taps his hand on the table. “You are the legal co-owners of the penthouse. The only stipulation set forth by Denia is that you reside there together for at least thirty days. During that time, you must go through Denia’s belongings and distribute them as you both see fit. If either of you moves out of the penthouse before the thirty day mark, you forfeit your interest in the property.”
This sounds like goddamn blackmail to me.
Sinclair locks eyes with me. I see what I feel reflected back at me – confusion and shock.
“A few more incidental things are set out in the trust.” Mr. Wismer stands to button his suit jacket. “I’ll go over those for everyone now, but just so you are all aware, Denia donated the bulk of her wealth in the years leading up to her death, and she made it very clear that she didn’t want a service of any kind to mark her passing.”
That doesn’t surprise me. She told me countless times as I was growing up that when she died, she wanted her ashes spread in the Atlantic Ocean at sunrise.
Mr. Wismer continues, “There is a necklace set aside for you, Sinclair, and a painting for you, Jameson. Holden, your grandfather’s watch is now yours. As Aristo mentioned, the contents of each property mentioned belong to the new owners.”
Holden moves to stand. “Leave it to Denia to mess with us after she’s gone.”
Aristo laughs. “Your grandmother believed she knew what was best for all of you. Keep that in mind.”
With my head spinning, I stand.
I walked into this conference room expecting to walk out with that painting, but now I’m stuck working with my brother and living temporarily with a woman shooting eye daggers across the table at me.
Thanks a lot, Granny. Thanks a hell of a lot.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Sinclair
“You’re what?” My oldest brother, Berk, pitches me a look that I wish I could frame.
I thought I was confused yesterday when I found out that I inherited half of Denia’s penthouse, but the expression on Berk’s face is one I’ve never seen before.
He’s as perplexed as I feel. I can’t blame him. I asked him to stop by my apartment after work so I could talk to him. There’s no way he could have known that this is the conversation we’d be having.
“I’m moving in with Jameson,” I repeat what I just told him. “It’s temporary. I have to stay in Denia Sheppard’s apartment for thirty days in order to inherit half of the property.”
A small smile breaks through my brother’s confusion. “Oh, I think I get it.”
“You do?” Now I’m the one asking the questions. “What do you think you get?”
“Jameson’s grandmother knew a good thing when she saw it,” he says as he watches me toss more of my clothes into a suitcase. “She’s forcing the two of you to live together so you can address what you’ve felt for each other for years.”
I can’t hold in a laugh. “What? No.”
“Yes.” He chuckles. “It’s a bit twisted and a lot genius. I only met Denia once, but I liked her spirit.”
I glance over my shoulder at him. “She did have a great spirit.”
He steps closer to me. “I know this hasn’t been easy, Sin. I know your friendship with her meant a lot to you.”