Free Broken Vows (Domestic Discipline Romance) by Mariella Starr

need time though to work through the inheritance. I think this windfall will buy me a partnership deal I had to turn down a couple of weeks ago. It will also get us out of Waterbury, which we desperately need. If we put distance between Denise and us, we might make it. Jenny and I have been talking about moving west. The partnership deal is in Colorado."
    Tyrell leaned over and flipped through several pages in the folder. "In addition to a slew of investment properties, the old man left you several personal properties. One of them is in Durango, Colorado, estimated value at 1.3 million. Hello, bro, that is worth checking out. Ah, it looks like it was where the old man lived for the last part of his life.
    "There are also some rental properties around ski resorts, and here are two more personal residences. One is in San Diego and one in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Each of those is worth about a half a million or more, it looks as if they have been rentals for a while."
    Tyrell sat back in his brother's chair and watched Josh continue pacing the floor. "Okay, little brother, I will keep your secrets. However, I have a price for my silence. I want your promise to not try and pay back Dad and Mom."
    Josh's head snapped around.
    Tyrell raised his hands to ward off his brother's words. "I didn't have to be a genius to figure out you were in over your head. I have no idea what Dad gave you, though. It's between the two of you.
    "I know how your mind works, Josh. You have always been a proud bastard. Paying Dad back was the first thing to cross your mind when you saw those figures in the folder. It was also the first thing to cross your mind when I gave you the settlement figures. Don't do it.
    "You think of it as paying a debt… as money owed. Dad and Mom think of it as extending love and help to their child. If you pay it back, they will forgive you for your misguided intentions, but their feelings will also be hurt, although they would hide it from you. Your dang pride has always made you fight to make Dad and Mom proud of you, but you would never let them help you get there.
    "That's what parents do if they can, Josh, they help their children. You will be there for Emmeline and Adam. I will be there for my two hellraisers. Children become adults, but parents always want to be there for them, which is what family is all about. They help each other. I know if Dad suddenly needed every cent of your inheritance, you would hand it over without a qualm. It works both ways."
    "Can I at least offer to give it back to them?"
    "No," Tyrell replied firmly. "This is the deal on the table. Take it or leave it, but I don't think you want your mother-in-law in on your recent windfall anytime soon."
    "That's extortion," Josh growled.
    Tyrell grinned.
    "All right," Josh said begrudgingly. "However, after the dust settles and I figure how to handle all this, I want to at least talk to Mom and Dad about repaying them. Fifty-seven million dollars and I am not discounting what you got out of DQ&H. Six-hundred-thousand dollars is friggin amazing! I can't wrap my brain around all this!
    "Jenny went out to the grocery store today and I lectured her about not buying anything which would cause us to go over budget. Now there is no budget."
    Tyrell leaned back in the chair again. "You need to slow down, little brother and take a chill pill. You are a freaking side show right now. Not that I don't enjoy watching it, but you need to take a deep breath and take the time to digest everything. It is not in your personality to do so, but do not immediately splurge and blow a million dollars on junk!
    "You know what? I changed my mind. You should talk to Dad. He is somewhere close to your new financial bracket, and probably knows the terror it comes with. He will be thrilled for you, and will be able to give you good advice. If the subject of the money he gave you comes up, and I am sure it will because you are a single-minded bastard, talk with him about it.