Nia inhaled sharply as she continued.
To keep my estate from being squandered, I have arranged a marriage between you and Leonard Boucher?—
“No!” the word exploded from her as she leaped to her feet. “I will not!” She flung the letter onto the desk, her heart crashing against her ribs.
“You have a week to decide,” Landry said. “And yes, I was told to say that should you refuse.”
“My answer will still be the same!”Marry that lecherous old dingbat?Never!
“Nia?” Lore was at her side, his otherworldly eyes searching hers. “What is it?”
Anger roared like wildfire, and she glowered at him. “To inherit all this…” She waved a hand over the room. “And her estate, my grandmother arranged a marriage between me and that-that smarmy ass, Leo?—”
“The male who wouldn’t let go of you at the cemetery?”
She nodded, mouth tight, her fury incinerating her, causing the heat to soar and the prickling sensation in her palms to reignite.
“She will not.” Lore’s icy words startled her out of her anger.
“Yes, she has indicated this is her wish,” Landry murmured. “Very well, we shall proceed.”
Too furious with Nan and her conniving ways, even from the grave, Nia glared at the man.
He opened his file, removed another letter, and slid it to her.
Chapter
Fifteen
Irritation surgedthrough Lore as Nia’s fury and hurt abraded his psyche. He wanted to take her out of there, but not until the situation was settled.
The thought of her mated to another felt like a dagger had lodged in his chest.
Hanging onto his calm, he waited near the leather chair she’d occupied moments ago. She stood by the desk, her face flushed with anger, as she removed a single sheet of paper from the second envelope.
Her lush mouth compressed into a thin line as she read. Then she froze, her knuckles turning white. She clenched the page with both hands, her gaze racing over the letter.
All the color drained from her face.
Without a word, she pivoted and headed for the door, letter scrunched in her fist. Lore followed.
“Ms. Deveraux, wait,” the attorney called out. “We haven’t finished.”
She wheeled around like a gale force, bumping into Lore, her eyes scorching like the sun. He put a hand on her waist to steady her, all his angelic senses focused on her. He couldn’t read her with her mind shields so tightly shut.
“Do whatever you want! I don’t care!” She pivoted and stormed out.
Her features set in tight lines, Nia marched down the long corridor toward the front of the mansion. As they strode farther along the passageway, the human in the black suit who’d opened the door for them approached.
“Ms. Nia, the reception is in the south living room…” His words faded as his gaze roamed her face. “Or, you may have tea in the library for some quiet first, if you wish.”
She shook her head. “I’m not staying, Bennett. We both know that would be a farce.”
“I am sorry, Ms. Nia.” The man’s neck bobbed as he swallowed, then he inclined his head, a tinge of sadness in his eyes. He removed her coat from the hallway closet and handed it to her as Lore opened the front door. “Take care of yourself.”
A tremulous smile formed as she slipped it on. “Goodbye, Bennett.”
They stepped into the brisk afternoon air, the door shutting behind them.
