Free Because of His Fortune (For His Pleasure, Book 25) by Kelly Favor Page B

Meridien
when Liam got a text message from his sister.
    He stopped cold and read it out in front
of the hotel, on the sidewalk.
    “Is everything okay?” Grace asked.   At first, she assumed it was something
from his father.   She was still
spinning from Todd’s announcement that he was being accused of “improprieties”
with women.   It was unclear just
exactly what the accusations against him were, but Liam had gone from seeming
to hate the man to being steadfastly in his father’s corner.
    Liam reread the text and then responded,
his fingers flying as he spoke to grace in explanation.   “Vera just texted me that we need to
meet at our lawyers’ offices to discuss something important about the
estate.”   He shook his head.   “This is just what I need, to deal with
this shit the day before Mother’s funeral.”
    Grace put a hand on his shoulder.   “Oh, Liam.”
    He shifted away from her grasp.   “Whatever—it’s just got to be
dealt with, I suppose.   Will you
come with me, Grace?”
    She looked at him.   “Of course.   Anything that you need.”
    “I need you with me,” he said, looking at
her closely.    
    “I want to be with you.”
    He leaned in and kissed her tenderly and
then grabbed her hand.   “Come on,”
he said.
    They were making use of his driver, and
so the limousine was waiting, and they got inside.   Liam told the driver where to go, and
then he poured himself a stiff drink, offering Grace one as well.
    “No thanks,” she said anxiously.   “Isn’t it a little early to start
drinking, Liam?”
    “Definitely not,” Liam replied, and
downed the drink and poured another.
    “Did Vera say exactly what you’re to be discussing?”
    Liam shook his head, and this time he
just sipped at his drink.   He closed
his eyes momentarily.   When he
opened them again, he was smiling bitterly.   “She didn’t need to say what we’re
discussing.   I know that my brother
and sister are only concerned with themselves and their piece of the family
pie.”
    “I’m sorry you’re dealing with this.   I wish there was something more I could
do.”
    “There’s nothing,” Liam replied.   He sighed and then changed the
subject.   “So,” he said, tapping his
glass lightly, “what did you think of the old man?”
    She hesitated.
    Liam raised his eyebrows.   “That bad, huh?”
    “No,” she said, rushing to reassure
him.   “No, he was charming and
bright and funny and very sweet to me.”
    “But…”   Liam looked at her curiously.
    “But, I don’t know.”   She shrugged.
    How could she say that she got the sense
he was only there because he needed something from Liam?   How could she say, your father seems like a user ?
    “It’s all right,” Liam said.   “I know he’s a jerk.   But he’s still my Dad.”
    “I’m sure I’ll love him when I get to
know him better.”
    Except that she didn’t really believe
that at all.
    Liam nodded.   “Anyway,” he said, “we’ve got bigger
fish to fry.   I’m the heir to the
family fortune.   As the oldest male
it’s always been understood that I’ll be in control of the business and taking
us into the future.   But now that
the future’s actually here, perhaps Brother and Sister aren’t as excited for it
anymore.”
    Grace swallowed, her throat suddenly
dry.   “You know, on second
thought—I think I will have that drink now.”
    Liam grinned at her.   “That a girl.”   He reached for the bottle.

 
    ***

 
    The law offices of Rodgers, Feherty &
Sedgwick were intimidating to say the least.   They were squat and black, but
reflective, with a large fountain in front.
    Inside, Liam was recognized by security
and they were immediately let through to the elevator, which they rode to the
top.
    The receptionist was waiting when the
doors opened, and immediately led them through to a large meeting room with
lots of mahogany and gleaming, polished wood—leather chairs and freezing
cold air