Sweet Heart (The Hearts of Sawyers Bend #2) - Ivy Layne Page 0,63

sake, but we'd do almost anything to keep Bryce from getting the Sawyer estate. Bryce would burn through every cent before we could stop him.”

“But as long as you don't contest it, everything is safe from Bryce, right?” I was more convinced than ever that Prentice Sawyer had been a major bastard, but I still didn't get why his will would drive Bryce to lock us in the watchtower.

“Based on what the family lawyer told us, yes. But after he was done reading the will to the rest of us, he sent us away and kept Griffen and Hope for a second, private meeting. No one but the three of them knows what was said, but when they were done, Griffen and Hope were married, and they haven't been apart since.”

Royal didn't elaborate on what that might mean. He leaned in and took a hefty bite of cake, leaving me to work out the puzzle on my own.

Clearly, there had been further stipulations on Hope and Griffen. Hope had been closed-mouthed about the whole thing with me, at least about what had driven her to marry Griffen so quickly. I hadn't pressed because she'd been so happy, and Griffen clearly doted on her.

Almost as an afterthought, Royal added, “When Griffen got run off the road, West thought it might have been me. Hope spilled that I wasn't in the line of succession anymore. If anything happens to Griffen before he has an heir, Bryce inherits. Though Harvey—our lawyer—swears he hasn't told him anything about that part of the will.”

“Good thing Hope is pregnant then,” I said, the implications spinning in my brain. Suddenly a puzzle piece clicked into place. “You think there's a stipulation about Griffen and Hope being together. Like with the rest of you and living at the house.”

Royal took a slow sip of wine. “I do. They've been joined at the hip, which could be normal for newlyweds, especially with Hope pregnant and not feeling well. I don't think Griffen would willingly leave her side right now, even if he could. But back at the start they weren't exactly head over heels and still, they stuck together. I always thought the will forced them to get married—you know Hope's uncle Edgar was practically Prentice's partner. Their businesses are so intertwined. They're like two feudal kings, bartering an heir to keep the wealth intact.”

“Ironic that after so many years treating Hope as no more than an assistant, she's the only one left to help you and Griffen run Sawyer Enterprises.”

“She's smart as a whip, too. Which I think they always knew, but they shoved her aside anyway. I hope she stays on, at least part-time, after the baby comes.”

Royal looked more comfortable talking about business than the will, but I wasn't ready to let it go. “You think Hope and Griffen aren't allowed to spend a night apart.” Another puzzle piece clicked into place. “And Griffen was supposed to come out here tonight. Not you.”

We both looked over at the trapdoor, and from there to where we'd stood by the window, kissing. “The bed would have blocked his view. He would have seen your back, but he could have missed me. He wouldn't have been able to see your face without coming all the way up the stairs.”

I leaned back in my chair, staring up at the dark beams of the ceiling. Every inch of this place was gorgeous. Nice, considering we were stuck here. “Griffen and Hope went upstairs before we left. I bet they don't come down until morning. Bryce won't know he trapped the wrong Sawyer until tomorrow.”

“Was J.T. serious about waiting up for you? Is he going to worry when you don't come home by ten?”

I loved that Royal thought to ask about J.T. My lips curved up at the thought of J.T.'s reaction when I didn't come home. “He'll be thrilled. And everyone else will just assume you swept me off somewhere private to have your way with me. No one's going to miss us until tomorrow.”

Royal's eyes were steady on my face, a spark lit deep within the vibrant blue. “Well, they're not wrong. I did sweep you off to have my way with you.”

“Hmm.” The hum in my throat vibrated through my entire body. Here we were, all alone, with that big, empty bed. “So, when you said you were prepared for all sorts of things…”

Royal reached in his pocket and slapped something down on the table between us. Red foil