Bold Beautiful Love -- A Temptation Court Contemporary Romance: Temptation Court: Passion in New York by Angel Payne Page A

own.”
    They both go still as ice sculptures.
    “You mean…half of everything you acquire ,” Selyna finally blurts. “From this point forward—”
    “No. I mean half my assets—as they stand right now, and in the future. Period.”
    Here’s the twist I hadn’t expected. The two of them, stunned so completely they can’t bring a reaction to their face or an utterance to their lips. And this was the part I’d pegged for their next step—
    When we got to the best part of this whole damn thing.
    “Court,” Fortin at last stammers. “Errr…Cassian.” His lips twinge as he tries the name on for the first time, perhaps even wondering if I’ll allow him. “That is beyond generous. And most, most appreciated—”
    “Why?” I have to feign the bafflement. Not easy. I’ve anticipated this part too—so much, it wasn’t even a designated checkbox.
    “Correct me if I am mistaken…but in America, a spouse is usually only entitled to—”
    “Whatever is agreed in a contract recognized by the individuals in the marriage, then the state’s courts,” I supply. “And she will agree to this.”
    “Damn correct she will.” Selyna stands firmer. I almost want to slip a whip in her right hand and an amulet in the left, a la Indiana Jones.
    “The same way you two will agree to a second, separate contract.”
    If the whip had happened, she’d be dropping it. Her tension spurs Fortin’s forward swoop, as if they’ve choreographed everything to go down like this. But no way in hell could they have predicted my ultimatum. I’m surprised the man doesn’t slip in their puddle of drool, as they speculate what half my holdings are worth.
    Fortin pulls himself up—ballsy enough to look like he’s about to add puke to the puddle. “We are her parents , dammit.”
    “Congratulations, Fortin,” I murmur. “You can actually say the word. But I won’t lose sleep wondering if you know what to do with it as a verb instead of a noun. Or that either of your children is a treasure, instead of a treasure chest .”
    “What in Creator’s name is that supposed to—”
    I slam him into silence with my vicious turn. Checkbox four—along with the nausea I expected with it. “We’re not having that conversation today. I’m too damn tired after our flight, and too pissed after the time it gave me to think about why I had to conceive of a separate contract for you two. The truth is, you should be getting nothing of Ella’s fortune.”
    The look he exchanges with Selyna, a flash of guilt disguised as a moment of outrage, confirms my suspicions. Every damn one of them.
    “You—you are a paranoid son of a salpu , and—”
    “And you’re just a filthy one.” I start to pace. My steps make audible pounds. It’s either that, or I will drive a fist through one of those huge windows. Damn good chance Evrest Cimarron won’t be as understanding as Hodge about the damage. “And you know what, Fortin? Paranoia has nothing to do with it. Logic does.” I slow my pace enough to ensure they’re both listening. “You see, eight hours over the Atlantic gives a guy time to start looking at things. Closely . And—surprise, surprise—the more I studied the files of all the contractors I’ve hired for the Arcadian infrastructure projects, the more I realized exactly what all dirty ones have in common.”
    “The dirty ones? Wh-what in Creator’s name are you—”
    “Nice try, Selyna.” I cut her off with an extended forefinger. “And a beautiful lunge for the kill, especially with Fortin in front to fall on the sword for you.”
    “I—I have no idea—”
    “You have every damn idea. Both of you do.” I force myself to stop. My next words are too important to muddle with movement. Sole exception: the condemning glower I throw between the two of them. “The only way Rune Kavill could’ve known exactly what I was looking for on those projects was because he had someone on the inside of the process. And the only way every