AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Oh, big brother, how times have changed.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
“I thought I’d pay my respects.”
“And now you have.” I give a little head nod, hoping Ronin catches my drift and leaves.
“I thought I’d just catch up. Maybe stay in town for a few days.”
“Where will you stay?”
“Grandfather’s estate.”
I barely move a muscle. “It’s now my estate.”
Ronin laughs, easing into his playful mode. The kind he uses when he’s trying to charm the panties off an unsuspecting heiress or socialite. Trouble is, I won’t be biting.
“I’m just here to meet with the lawyers and get my cut.”
Anger ignites a fuse, that travels through my system, threatening to detonate at any minute.
“Your cut?”
Grandfather’s final words as the oxygen tank filled his lungs with air so he could spend a few more minutes here on this god forsaken earth were pretty clear, “Your brother will have nothing now. Take care of him.”
I nodded, promising my grandfather I would do so, even though I never intended to fulfill his request.
“I think you’re misinformed,” I tell him.
The playfulness leaves his brown eyes. “I need to speak with grandfather’s attorney.”
“That you do, and I need to speak to Clementine—alone.”
“No, you really don't,” she says. “Seems like you two have some important issues to deal with. Feel free to do it elsewhere.”
He turns to face her. “I’m sorry. It was great seeing you again.” He kisses her cheek, and then brushes past me. “See you soon, little brother.”
When he’s out of range, I focus all my attention on Clementine. “Ten million dollars.”
“I can’t be bought.” Her voice carries across the graveyard. “I’m not a whore.”
“Fuck, Clementine, keep your voice down.”
“Like I said,” she says in a lower voice, “I can’t be bought.”
“Everyone has a price.”
“Not me.” She raises her chin in defiance, stubborn written all over her makeup-free face.
“Meet me at my home tomorrow at noon.” Maybe if I show her some of the benefits of living with extreme wealth, she’ll change her mind.
“I’m not going to your house.”
She moves past me and hurries across the grounds toward the parking lot as if she can escape this situation. She can’t.
I leave the graveyard and pay my death dues all evening.
I loved the manipulating bastard.
