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My body starts to sway, and spots float across my vision as Gareth’s words fully sink in. Ashton wraps his arm around me, helping to keep me from falling over. Someone places a cold bottle of water in my hand. Ashton helps me take a few sips as the implications of what John Robinson is doing sink in. Gareth continues his explanation, so I use Ashton for support.
“Kennedy, my father found a way to help. To do that, we must go to the courthouse tomorrow and sign paperwork before a judge. You will need to answer a few questions for him. The four of us are going to be witnesses. My father said that one of us also needed to sign the paperwork to make it legal. Are you okay with that?”
As my mind processes what he has explained over the past twenty minutes, his question seems useless. I have no choice but to be okay with all of this if I hope to have any chance at saving my home and my father’s company.
“You…you would do that? To help me?”
Gareth gets a soft smile on his face, bringing my hands to his mouth as he places a gentle kiss on my knuckles. “Of course, I would.”
Reaching for the water, I slowly sip it as my scattered thoughts sort themselves out so I don’t start sobbing. After several long and tense moments, I finally find my voice.
“If you have known this, why have you waited until now to explain all of this to me? I have been pissed at you all, knowing you were keeping something from me. What were you expecting me to do? While I am processing this information dump, you are all still in the doghouse.”
Taking several deep breaths to stave off the tears and get myself under control, my eyes drift to each of their faces. My voice breaks with emotion.
“Thank you. Wha…what time do we need to be at the courthouse?”
“The appointment is at one in the afternoon. We needed to wait until Callum’s midterm test was over so all of us could be there.”
I nod, afraid to speak, still trying to understand what is happening. Ashton places a soft kiss on the side of my head, still holding me against him. Gareth releases my hands as he gets to his feet. Ashton stands, pulling me with him, supporting most of my weight.
Rodney and Callum haven’t moved, still blocking the doors. Ashton breaks the silence.
“Duchess, do you want to stay here with us or return to your room?”
“Can… Can I stay with you? Please?” My voice is small.
“Of course, you can. Come on,” Ashton says softly.
Ashton leads me through the bathroom, back into his and Callum’s room. Pulling the covers back, he helps me climb into his bed, sliding in behind me. He pulls my back to his front as he tucks us under the blankets. Ashton’s arm bends tightly around my waist. Facing the wall, it’s safe to assume it’s Callum making the noise filling the room. Soft music starts to play, and the room gets engulfed in darkness. Silent tears leak into the pillow as I ponder what might happen to my father’s legacy.
Lying awake for what seems like eternity before finally drifting off, turbulent dreams fill my head. Even if Gareth went through my belongings, I still owe him considerable gratitude. Without his help, my father would never be free.
CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
Nervous.
That is me right now, one giant ball of nerves. So many things can go wrong today, and there is no way to prepare for it. I have spoken with my father more today than in the past six months combined. He has assured me that all of the paperwork is in order. The judge is an old friend of his. All of the information dumped on Kennedy was a shock, which adds to my concern. I am not sure if she would have taken the news any differently than she did if we would have told her about all of this a week ago.
After Dad read the paperwork, I found and explained it all, anger on Kennedy’s behalf filled my veins. This guy has a set of brass balls to pull this shit. Callum, Ashton, and Rodney know what the deal is today and what is at stake if something goes wrong.
I dress in one of my favorite suits, adding a dark purple tie since it seems to be Kennedy’s favorite color.
Ashton said Kennedy had a restless night, so we let her sleep as long as we could. Once she woke up, we suggested she wear a conservative dress. Like me, the guys also plan on wearing a suit. Rodney went with Kennedy to her room to be with her as she got ready.
My father wants to take us all out to dinner when this shit show is over. He is using the excuse that he wants to get to know Kennedy. He is, after all, the only one of our fathers who didn’t make that fateful trip to Pennsylvania.
Shaking off the dark thought, my phone pings. Hesitating to look at the new message, expecting it to be my father, my pulse picks up, seeing it’s from Callum.
Callum
The test is over. Heading back to get ready.
Rodney
Kennedy is ready. We are on our way upstairs.
Me
