Seduced By A Steele (Forged of Steele #12) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,45
said, meeting her gaze.
Sloan would rather he wasn’t. However, considering that she’d given him the title of fiancé without his permission... She didn’t want to think how he was feeling about that. She just hoped he remembered their discussion about solutions, and that what she’d done was a temporary fix.
“I’d rather you weren’t,” Harold said curtly.
“Doesn’t matter. That’s the way it’s going to be,” Mercury said.
“Mercury is right, Harold. He can be privy to whatever you have to tell me since he knows all of my business anyway,” she said, suddenly realizing just how true that was.
“Okay,” Harold said tersely.
“This way.” Taking her hand, Mercury led her toward his mother’s office and Harold followed.
“So, what do you want to talk to Sloan about, Cunningham?” Mercury asked, leaning back against the door.
He was trying to reel in emotions that were swamping him. He wasn’t sure what was upsetting him the most, finding out Sloan had understood his and his brothers’ conversation in Russian earlier, Stacey coming down into the dining room to announce it was Sloan’s fiancé at the door, or Sloan’s lie that he was her fiancé. He had wanted her to fix her problem with Cunningham but claiming Mercury was her fiancé was not what he’d had in mind.
Sloan had taken a seat on the sofa and Harold had the nerve to sit on the sofa, as well. At least the man had the decency to make sure there was space between them.
Instead of answering him directly, Harold shifted in his seat and turned to Sloan. “I don’t think you understand how important a marriage between us is to your father.”
“Then tell me, Harold.”
Harold shot a look over at Mercury before looking back at her. “I honestly wish we could speak privately.”
“That won’t be happening,” Mercury said, meaning every word.
Sloan glanced over at him and then back at Harold. “Mercury is right, so please answer. Why is a marriage between us so important, other than combining the families’ wealth?”
Harold didn’t say anything for a minute. “I think your father needs a lot of capital for some reason. I overheard a private conversation between my father and yours regarding your trust fund. The one left to you by your grandfather.”
Sloan frowned. “Why would our fathers be discussing my trust fund?”
“Your father wants us to marry so they can get their hands on it.”
Sloan shook her head. “That’s not possible. I can’t get my trust fund until I’m thirty.”
“I suggest you verify that, Sloan. I gather from the conversation I overheard that might not be the case. And you, of all people, know your father. Whatever he wants, he gets. He has friends in high places. He could financially ruin these people who’ve helped you. Do you want that?”
“Stop trying that scare tactic, Cunningham,” Mercury said, having heard enough. “Her father can’t ruin my family financially. But we could ruin him. Maybe you need to let him know that.”
Harold stared at Mercury and he stared back for the longest moment. Then Harold said, “And I will certainly tell him.”
“Good.”
Harold stood. “You’ve been forewarned.”
Mercury moved away from the door for Harold to walk out. There was no doubt in his mind that one, or possibly all, of his brothers would escort Cunningham to the door with a warning to never come back.
“Are you okay, Sloan?”
She glanced up at him and he could see the hurt in her eyes. “Yes, I’m okay. Sorry that I used you as my temporary fix.”
He nodded. “It took me a minute to figure out that’s what you were doing. I’m okay with it for now.” He needed to let her know he expected her to start working on a permanent solution, but for some reason he let it go.
“I need to talk to your parents. Your family. I owe them an apology for Harold even showing up here tonight like he did and for having to listen to our issues. I feel embarrassed.”