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Chapter One

West

“This…there’s no way…” I pause e before -Christ, this is some bullshit, and I’m well-versed in bullshit Anyone in ht—has to be From the boardrooe

…provided he produces an heir by the age of twenty-five Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the trust, henceforth relinquishing any right to the estate…

My eyes snag on that particular line again and again Hell, the words hted, and in bold, with little arrows pointing at the with anyone and everyone He was the puppeton s from six feet under I wonder if my cousin Brock is in a si paddle

“This is for real?” I arch a brow at Colton— punked He’s only a few years older thanwhip and in a sea of sharks, he’s avicious when provoked

“Unfortunately, yes Ironclad, too” Colton delivers the news, his voice even and bland, as if we’re two strangers discussing the weather and not longtime friends

My hands trerandfather’s will for the fourth time in as many minutes My family has been known to do some fucked-up shit over the years, but this…yeah, it takes the cake “How ironclad?”

“Battleship,” is his only reply The fact that he’s being so frank tells oes all lawyer-y ontoas one of my most trusted friends

The walls ofin ona trail in the plush sheepskin rug that takes upto accept defeat, I stalk over to the bookcase on the far wall My eyes flit over the spines, searching for the title I have in ht? I e, and this just see fishy

Colton crosses the room and stops me with a heavy hand on my shoulder “Yes and no”

I spin on him “Explain”

He rubs a hand over his five o’clock shadow “Things that in the real world would be considered batshit crazy are easily upheld in wills and trusts—they’re interesting like that”

“Interesting isn’t the word that co over to the bar cart in the corner I pour ulp, relishing the burn as it goes down