Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
By Texas law, his father was not as yet in default, but in Jamie’s estimations (which were never wrong), AJ had three months of assets before that would happen.
Once it happened, they’d send a 30-day breach trust letter, which would include the twenty days AJ would be given to cure the default, something he wouldn’t be able to do.
Unless someone bankrolled it.
“This is bigger than Paloma making a play for a meal ticket,” Jamie said to his glass, his mind turning through the possibilities. He looked to Ned. “Roland is definitely angry Nora and I are together, but this is even bigger than that. I don’t recall Roland ever playing nasty. Inside his sandbox, yes. Outside it, no.”
“The both of them do seem to have a healthy interest in messing with the two of you,” Ned agreed.
“And AJ is determined to stop me doing what he knows I’m doing,” Jamie added.
“An unholy trinity,” Ned murmured sympathetically.
“Why doesn’t Paloma just make a play for Roland?” Jamie groused.
“He’s already had her, and she’s far too old for him, Jamie,” Ned said. “He wants Nora back because he doesn’t want anyone else to have her, particularly you. You’re worth more than he is. You have more respect than he does. Her finding someone else after all these years, and it being you, is a one-two punch for a man like Roland. If she’s alone, he can convince himself he broke her and she’s pining for him, something that strokes a man like Roland’s ego. If she’s moved on, especially trading up, he’s unable to do that. And he wouldn’t hesitate to use an ex-lover if she proved useful to him. Apparently, Paloma is making herself very useful.”
“His relationship with his children is hanging in the balance on this, Ned. There’s enmity there. Nora has good kids, they’re loyal to her, but she’s not averse to them having a relationship with their father. If they got wind of this, I don’t think that will be in the cards for him in future.”
“It’s the bed he’s making, Jamie,” Ned replied, reaching for his water. “He may learn he can’t act like a petulant child until the day he dies. He might not. Obviously, my family knew his family. His mother spoiled him.” Ned took a sip and put the water back before he shrugged. “He’s always been a brat. Eleanor bemoaned Nora’s choice before their marriage, and after. And Eleanor was very rarely wrong.”
“And Nora is learning that the hard way, which is not something I can allow to go on, I just have no fucking clue at the moment what to do about it.”
“You’ll think of something,” Ned assured.
Jamie blew out a frustrated breath.
“I hate I had to share all of this,” Ned said.
“I’m sorry you hate it, but I’m glad you shared,” Jamie replied.
Ned inclined his head.
“Now, since our conversation hasn’t been comfortable, we might as well get it all out of the way with me telling you not only Nora, but Mika, know about Marlo.”
Ned’s lips thinned.
“And I can assume you understand, if those two know, then Chloe isn’t going to be far behind,” Jamie finished.
“Blake and Alex don’t know,” Ned said.
“I’m aware.” He watched his friend closely. “Is there a reason why?”
“They’ve had to compete with my work, and me fighting with their mother, for my attention all their lives, and they lost. Those things aren’t in the way anymore. But not much time has passed since I removed them. I don’t want them to think they suddenly have another obstacle to my love.”
“It doesn’t work that way, Ned,” Jamie said quietly.
Ned shook his head. “Blake is blossoming. Alex is happy and getting married very soon. It isn’t the time.”
“And Marlo feels about this…?”
Ned looked away.
Mm-hmm.
“Do you care about her?” Jamie asked.
“She’s an extraordinary woman,” Ned said to the napkin in his lap he was adjusting.
“You’ve waited longer to find someone to share your life with than I have, Ned, but take my advice. Don’t fuck this up. The girls will understand, and perhaps it might be rocky with Blake at the start, but she’ll come around.”
Ned finally looked at him. “I just need more time.”
“Don’t take too much,” Jamie cautioned.
Ned held his gaze a beat before he nodded.
And their lunch was served.
That evening, when he arrived home, Alyona opened the door for him, and he smiled at her.
“Hello, Mister Jamie,” she greeted.
“Alyona. Good day?”
She nodded. “Miss Nora is in the study.”
“Thanks, darlin’.”
He moved in and saw his little girl prancing his way, so he bent and picked her up in his arms.
As was becoming her habit, Heiress moved to rest her paws on his shoulder and sniff his neck while he carried her to the study.
He found Nora on the sofa, the coffee table in front of her covered in papers.