“Just make sure they’re the real documents, not fakes designed to lull me into a false sense of security.”
“We would not stoop so low—”
“Oh, we both know you would if it benefitted the family’s position in any way.” I motioned toward the door. “And now, feel free to make use of that; the sooner the better.”
He stared at me for several long moments, then made a low, mocking bow, turned, and marched out. I locked the door behind him, then leaned back against it and closed my eyes.
Well, Belle said, that was all unexpected.
Understatement of the year, I believe.
Wonder how much of an inheritance we’re talking about? Clayton was a very wealthy man, but I can’t imagine he’d be foolish enough to sign his entire fortune over. Not even for the promise of a young and fertile wife.
My father has always coveted the residences Clayton owned in Yarralumla—they’re opposite the golf course, and Father has long wanted to run a golf holiday resort there for the hideously wealthy.
Places in Yarralumla go for upwards of two million. I can imagine Clayton handing over one house for a nubile wife, but more than that? Unlikely.
He was desperate for heirs, remember. I mentally shrugged. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
It’d be nice if at least some of the money you inherit actually reaches our bank account. It’d certainly secure our future here.
Oh, I think it will. Juli was basically sent here to suss out the lay of the land on behalf of both parties. They now know I’m not going to be a legal pushover, so money will be on offer.
Well, you certainly deserve it.
We both do. Now stop talking to me and go play with your man.
She did the mental eye roll thing again. He’s still entranced by the movie.
Belle, if you can’t figure out a way of distracting him from said movie, I’ll be very disappointed.
She laughed. Enjoy your night.
That was highly unlikely, but I bid her goodnight and then went and got myself another large slice of cake.
Aiden pulled up outside the café right on the dot of nine and leaned across the seat to open the passenger door. I jumped in, dumped my purse into the footwell, and then did up my belt. He didn’t make any move to kiss me, which wasn’t unusual when he was working, but it nevertheless left me on edge.
“I take it things didn’t go well last night?”
He pulled back into the traffic and then glanced at me, eyebrows raised. “What makes you think that?”
I waved a hand up and down his length. “Dark countenance, tumultuous aura.”
“Ah.” He grimaced. “A few home truths were given and received on both sides. It was a long night, and I’m not sure anything was really sorted.”
“So your mother is still intent on interference?”
“My mother will never change. That much was made obvious.”
In other words, the bitch remained determined to get rid of me. Which was a bit of a laugh when, for all her efforts, she wouldn’t in the end be the reason we split.
“Anything happen on the Mia front?”
“My parents were told why I sent her packing and why I have absolutely no interest in renewing our relationship.”
A statement that made my silly heart dance, but only briefly. If it wasn’t Mia, it would be someone else. “And did your mother actually listen?”
“Yes.” He glanced at me. “But she still believes we should at least talk—which is something you also rather weirdly insist on.”
I half smiled. “And you know why.”
He sighed. “I do not harbor any lingering feelings for the woman.”
“And yet your aura does this weird emotional dance whenever you mention her.”
“Because she betrayed my trust, and that’s something I will never forget or forgive.”
Which was something I could understand. “I take it she isn’t being invited back for another family dinner?”
“Oh, she is. I gave ground on that point. Besides, it is ultimately better that our so-called heart-to-heart happens at the family residence. The last thing any of us need or want is to give the brigade more grist for their mill.”
“So you won’t be home again tonight?”
“Oh, I certainly fucking will be. There’s only so many family ‘heart-to-hearts’ a man can take.”
I once again quelled the rise of hope. Nothing had changed for us long-term, and it never would.
“Wouldn’t it be better to simply get it all over and done with?”
“I am not spending another night without you in my arms. End of story, no arguments.” He paused for a long moment. “Unless, of course, you would rather I sort this all out before you and I continue on.”
“Continue on?” I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that escaped. “That really does sum up our relationship, doesn’t it?”
“You know I didn’t mean it to sound so casual or uncaring.” He reached across the seat, gripped my hand, and squeezed my fingers lightly. “Right now, I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
“The modifier there being ‘right now.’”
“Liz—”
“It’s fine, Aiden, really. It’s just that Mia’s presence has made me confront a few basic facts I’ve been willfully ignoring.” I glanced at him. “I suspect I’m not the only one guilty of that.”
“If I’m guilty of anything, Liz, it’s of enjoying my life as it is, for as long as it is, without worrying about the future.”
“Which is all fine and dandy when there’re no emotions involved, Aiden.”
He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I know. But this is neither the time nor the place—”
“Is there ever a perfect time and a place for such a discussion?” I asked mildly.
He grimaced. “In this particular case, I don’t believe there will be. However, once we’ve caught our killer vampiric spirit and I’ve seen Mia on her way, we’ll sit down and discuss us. Openly and honestly, and see where we go from there. Okay?”
I knew where exactly we’d go, but all I did was nod. Continuing on blithely wasn’t going to work for us anymore, and he had to know that, even if he didn’t want to acknowledge it.
“Okay.” I glanced out the window but not out of any interest in the passing scenery. I didn’t want him to see the heartbreak and anger in my eyes—though he’d undoubtedly smell the latter and wonder at its cause. “Did you tell Marian Letts why we were coming to see her?”
“No, just that I needed to talk to her.” He glanced at me, a weight I felt rather than saw. “I figured if she was responsible for the curse, it would forewarn her.”
“Good idea, though unless she’s a witch—”
“She’s not.”
“Then she definitely couldn’t have placed the curse herself. She’d have gone to a practitioner who specializes in such things.”
“And are they hard to find?”
I shrugged. “In large city centers, no. Out here, in the country? Probably. Curses are considered a gray area for witchcraft, and it’s far easier to track down the caster of a curse gone awry in a less-populated area.”