nora

a slab of dry ice in my hands as we emerged ont

ed beast. He clicked the key fob, the heavy locks disengaging with

ossing his leather j

e leather, clean cedar, and ozone e

g his large hands comfortably on the steering rim. "You're the o

with the trust executors at ten o'clock tomorrow to initiate the transfer. If she

tting out an aggressive, low-pitched rumble as we s

rough the vehicle's surround sound. The cal

teering wheel without breaking eye con

eam is in my office right now. The Tribune is running a feature on your personal life on Sunday. I told you

casually, flicking on his turn signal. "And tell

d you ju

oward me and the gold-stamped marriage certificate resting on my lap. "I said, I got marr

e line. Then, the distinct sound of a cryst

at?!" Ferna

in-laws now," Beckham smirked. "T

call with a single

"Did you really have to use me to

. "That was just clearing the board. My father respects leverage. Right now, Jack Hester's surviving heir brings thirty

s contract," I rem

smoothly. "And I'm a ver

and brick manor, built by my great-grandfather, loomed behind ancient oak trees. It was the only place in the world that felt

up to the front portico, killed the engine, and hopped out,

r?" he murmured, o

crook of his elbow. His muscles were like carved s

ooked after me as a child, stood in the foyer, her eyes red-rimmed. When she saw me, then r

a! What..

awake, Maria?"

drawing room with some papers, Miss

half a pace behind, his heavy boots sounding with

et settee, swirling a glass of white wine

Clarine was saying, not looking up. "Once Nora is safely shipped off

pen, Gary," I announced, stepp

Eleanora! How dare you barge into this house in the middle of the ni

am stepped out of the entryway shadows a

olled across the mahogany desk and f

t, his face draining of

ed himself two fingers of my father's twenty-year-old Macallan, and turned back t

he sofa. "What kind of cheap theatrics are

m my folder, and slammed it down flat against the ledger.

The moment I enter into a legally certified marriage, all interim conservatorships are immediately dissolved. Full executive auth

she scanned the signatures. Her eyes widened in absolute horror. "No... no

taking a slow sip of the whiskey. His voice was silky, yet carried the absolute weight of a death sentenc

lite elegance, her face ugly with rage. "You think you're clever, Nora?! You married a man whose o

wn on the mantelpiece, stepped up behind me, and placed both hands firm

and your husband haven't vacated this house by five o'clock on Sunday, I won't just have the sheriff carry your designer lug

. "Clarine... come on. Let's go. We can't fight the Wall

hink you've won, Nora? You're nothing to him. When he's done using you to clea

she was forced to look away. "But tonight, I own this house. An

nd dragged a trembling Gary down the hall. The heavy oak front doo

night suddenly evaporating, leaving behind a hollow, bone-deep

arm slid around my waist, pulli

er than I had ever heard it. "Brea

green eyes. "It's just the beginning. Jared still has all m

s glint returning to his gaze. "Th