A Moment Like You (The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers #2) - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,71

same as the ones my grandfather envisioned.”

He stares at me speechless.

“Mr. Parrish, I’m sure you’re just trying to do your job, even at times like today when it seems like you’re trying to fuck with us. If you don’t mind, I’m going to solve this problem directly with Ms. Edelstein.”

“Since Daddy told me to take charge, I stopped using the family lawyer and hired Mr. Parrish to be my attorney,” she explains. “He’s the one who suggested this visit as soon as I explained my dilemma.”

Of course, he did. Asshole.

I groan and say, “Call my lawyer, Mr. Parrish. I have nothing to say to you.”

“I won’t leave the town until this is resolved.”

“Just a reminder, you’ve been banished from The Lodge by Blaire. There is a bed & breakfast in Happy Springs. Enjoy it before I buy it and well…you’d be listed as a persona non-grata in there too.”

He glares at me and then looks at Martina. “We’ll have this solved in a matter of days. Don’t worry.”

“I trust you,” she says and then looks at me. “My bags are in the rental car. Have your maids take them to my room. I’d like to have dinner early. I’m not used to this time zone.”

“Why are you here?” I ask. “This is very simple. I rescind the contract, you receive the money, and we’re done with each other.”

My phone buzzes, and I check it immediately hoping for good news.

Pierce: Did you ever read this contract?

Henry: Once, like fourteen years ago.

Pierce: You’re screwed. You can’t just pay her. There’s a trial period you have to go through before that can happen.

I look up at her and then at the phone.

Henry: You are kidding, right?

Pierce: No, we’re on our way to the house.

Henry: Is Soph coming?

Pierce: No. She claims to have work to do, but I think she’s freaking out.

“Henry, you’re lovely. A gentleman, unlike many men in our circle. I’m here because this is my future. The future my father secured for me when I was a teenager. I’d marry at thirty-two, have a child at thirty-three, and have financial security for the rest of my life. Ten million won’t buy me anything more than an apartment in Soho if I’m lucky. If you had sent me that ridiculous request ten years ago, I might’ve negotiated it and have my father secure me another suitor. Now, there’s no way I’m letting go of what my father worked so hard to get for me. You won’t get rid of me that easily.”

She pulls out her keys. “Now get the servants to do something useful.”

I stare at her hand and chuckle. “We don’t have servants, but I’ll make sure to have my sister-in-law add you to the chore board if you have to stay in the house. I can’t wait to see you feed the animals.”

Thank fuck Pierce enters the house before she can speak. He looks at her and says, “At least your grandfather had good taste.”

“Pierce,” I warn him. “What did you find?”

“I assume you are his brother too?”

“Pierce Aldridge,” he says, extending his hand. “One of seven and the guy who’ll be helping you crazy children get out of this mess.”

“I don’t want to get out. I want to make sure we amend the current agreement. As I explained to Henry, this is my future. Nothing and no one will change my mind.”

She leaves the house without saying another word.

“Tell me what you found. You can crack any jokes later.”

“You must cohabitate with her for the next three months in order to prove that you aren’t compatible.”

I’m fucked. “She can say that we are. Didn’t you see her saying that this is her financial security?”

“It’s not a ‘your word against hers’ kind of situation, actually. You have to live with her, go to a marriage counselor and show in good faith that you tried hard. If at the end you say that this didn’t work, it doesn’t matter what she says. You pay the money, and it’s over.”

“There’s no other way out?”

He shakes his head. “No, it’s pretty solid. I sent it to a colleague of mine in Colorado, and she agreed with our assessment. You signed this in your right mind, there were witnesses, and trying to do anything else will just eat the little time you have to get this contract overturned.”

I narrow my gaze, swallow the orange size knot forming in my throat and ask, “Time?”

“You have until the first week of August to contest it and