AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, what’s done is done,” Antonio says, reaching down for a briefcase and extracting some files. He lays them on the table before him.
I appreciate that he doesn’t mince words. I don’t like men who don’t say what they mean, who pussyfoot around—men like William. He tries to be clever, but it only makes him look like an idiot.
“I’m assuming you called this meeting for business, not an inquisition.” Antonio glances around the circle and then clears his throat. “I’m the one who your father entrusted his will to, and now that we are gathered in this time to discuss it, I must ask if he has—that is, did he say anything to you regarding his wishes for you to take over in the event of his demise?”
I narrow my eyes at Antonio, trying to read between the lines. I get the sense there is something more going on here, and I slowly feel anger rising in my chest. I feel like a fool, not even considering that my father would still have me jumping through hoops once he croaked, the sadistic bastard.
“No, I am unaware of his wishes, beyond the inevitable that I become sole proprietor of Soltorre Enterprises and other businesses he conducted,” I say, tapping one finger on my armrest.
I know everything about my father’s business ventures. He made sure I did since I would eventually be taking over. All except for the one venture I know he kept hidden from me.
I stare Antonio down as he opens his papers, silently reading over them before glancing back up.
“When the five of us formed this alliance between our families,” he finally says, “we put a clause in our wills that included our heir must be … married before receiving the full sum of our estate left to them.”
The room is quiet as my eyes dart around.
Married? Did I hear that correctly?
“Why?” I ask, thoroughly confused.
What does my marital status have to do with taking over the Soltorre family business?
“Our first responsibility is to the family and ensuring that those families continue. Therefore, marriages must first be performed and consummated before the will kicks in.”
“Consummated?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.” William chortles, his thick neck jiggling. “It wasn’t for any of us.”
“I have no doubt your wife was thrilled,” I say drily, and he abruptly stops laughing. “How would you even know that it is consummated? Do you also stand inside the room, like some medieval virginity committee?”
“Ah, no. We go more on good faith.”
“Good faith?” I ask incredulously. “When have you men ever done anything on good faith?”
“He has a point,” Vincent says with a nod. “There should be some sort of process.”
“These wills are ironclad,” Antonio points out, raising an eyebrow at Vincent and shaking his head. “We aren’t changing anything. There are some stipulations.” He turns his attention back to me.
“I’m listening.” I lean forward, clasping my hands on the table.
“She will need to be baptized Catholic and reviewed and approved by us.”
“You aren’t my matchmakers,” I growl.
Antonio narrows his eyes at me. For all of his sincerity, I have to remember that he is a part of this and was my father’s friend. He’s not mine.
“What business is it of yours who I marry as long as it’s done?”
“We are your matchmakers if you want your inheritance and to know the full scope of your father’s business ventures. You have thirty days.”
“Or what?”
“There is no other choice,” Antonio says.
“This is insane.”
“It’s a safeguard.”
