Read Online Greed in Paradise (Paradise Series) by Deborah Brown - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Deborah Brown
Tags: book 5, Paradise Series
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collection. I would hope it’s not because you coerced him in anyway, but one never knows how low you’d draw the line.”
Tucker wiped the look of joy off Fab’s face with his ugly insinuations. She jumped up and I jerked on the back of her shirt, holding tight until she sat back down. Tolbert laced his fingers in hers and squeezed. I flipped Tucker the finger, mouthing the words at the same time.
His eyes snapped with anger, clenching his hand into a fist. “Miss Westin, I realize you were part owners with Gus in the car wash but for whatever reason he left you the rest of the block.”
I cut him off. “If you think this is the best time to fling dirt, I’m happy to play.”
“I wouldn’t put it past you to pressure an old man in an unseemly way.” Tucker smiled.
To hell with being embarrassed. “Like you did to my aunt? It mystifies me why you are not in jail.”
Everyone sat stunned, mostly looking down at their feet—except Violet, who glared openly.
Gus and I had a business relationship, but I never expected anything from him and, quite frankly, not even the other half of Clean Bubbles. We had a signed agreement, but never finalized all of the details because he continually dragged his feet, calling for meetings where we ended up talking for a couple of hours and he’d flirt outrageously with Fab.
Tucker shuffled through more papers, making a few notes before looking up. “The rest of the estate goes to Violet Ivers. We’ll discuss everything when everyone has left.” He smiled at her.
“Who are those two?” Violet shrieked, pointing at me and Fab. “Why would Daddy leave them spit?” Her voice high pitched and whiney like that of a spoiled child. She’d been sitting demurely, hands in her lap, her pasty face splotched red from her hysterics.
Tucker patted her hand, passing the tissue box, and then broke the awkward silence. “I wondered the same thing. Don’t you worry, my dear Violet. I’ll do a thorough investigation before the estate is settled.”
“You don’t think they influenced Daddy in an unseemly way, do you?” Violet raked her eyes over Fab.
Fab leaned forward. “Mind your manners, bitch. I bite.”
Violet hissed and jerked back. “You’re uncouth.” Apparently her childish tone was permanent. “I don’t want her grubby hands on anything Daddy worked his life for; that’s not right.”
Tolbert pulled Fab back into her chair and put his arm around her shoulder. Fab unleashed a tirade in French.
The men, hoping for a roll-on-the-floor girl fight, had their eyes glued to the two women. I momentarily thought about brandishing my Glock and shooting into the ceiling, but knew Tucker would have me arrested.
Tucker cleared his throat. “You know, Miss Westin and Merceau, this is the kind of disruptive crap I expect from your ilk. If I weren’t bound by propriety, you would’ve never been allowed to set foot in my office.” He took a breath. “This meeting is over. All of you will get a copy of the will once I’ve opened probate. My advice is not to foolishly spend money you don’t have, as I’m advising my client, Miss Ivers, to contest.”
“When and where is the memorial service?” I asked Violet, trying to hide my loathing.
Her hands clenched. “You’re certainly not invited; in fact, none of you are.” She covered her face and burst into tears.
Tolbert gasped at Violet’s words in shock. “But, Violet. I’d like to have a memorial service.”
“I said no,” she sobbed. “You’re not invited, either.”
The sadness that rolled across Tolbert’s face squeezed my heart. I just wanted to console him…after dragging Violet from her chair by her hair and slapping her senseless.
Fab jumped up and every man watched her wiggle her way out of the office in her tight black skirt, five-inch heels, and chest-hugging pullover top. “Hey, Annie, where’s our water?” she yelled in the hallway.
Chapter 12
Strong hands caressed my
Tucker wiped the look of joy off Fab’s face with his ugly insinuations. She jumped up and I jerked on the back of her shirt, holding tight until she sat back down. Tolbert laced his fingers in hers and squeezed. I flipped Tucker the finger, mouthing the words at the same time.
His eyes snapped with anger, clenching his hand into a fist. “Miss Westin, I realize you were part owners with Gus in the car wash but for whatever reason he left you the rest of the block.”
I cut him off. “If you think this is the best time to fling dirt, I’m happy to play.”
“I wouldn’t put it past you to pressure an old man in an unseemly way.” Tucker smiled.
To hell with being embarrassed. “Like you did to my aunt? It mystifies me why you are not in jail.”
Everyone sat stunned, mostly looking down at their feet—except Violet, who glared openly.
Gus and I had a business relationship, but I never expected anything from him and, quite frankly, not even the other half of Clean Bubbles. We had a signed agreement, but never finalized all of the details because he continually dragged his feet, calling for meetings where we ended up talking for a couple of hours and he’d flirt outrageously with Fab.
Tucker shuffled through more papers, making a few notes before looking up. “The rest of the estate goes to Violet Ivers. We’ll discuss everything when everyone has left.” He smiled at her.
“Who are those two?” Violet shrieked, pointing at me and Fab. “Why would Daddy leave them spit?” Her voice high pitched and whiney like that of a spoiled child. She’d been sitting demurely, hands in her lap, her pasty face splotched red from her hysterics.
Tucker patted her hand, passing the tissue box, and then broke the awkward silence. “I wondered the same thing. Don’t you worry, my dear Violet. I’ll do a thorough investigation before the estate is settled.”
“You don’t think they influenced Daddy in an unseemly way, do you?” Violet raked her eyes over Fab.
Fab leaned forward. “Mind your manners, bitch. I bite.”
Violet hissed and jerked back. “You’re uncouth.” Apparently her childish tone was permanent. “I don’t want her grubby hands on anything Daddy worked his life for; that’s not right.”
Tolbert pulled Fab back into her chair and put his arm around her shoulder. Fab unleashed a tirade in French.
The men, hoping for a roll-on-the-floor girl fight, had their eyes glued to the two women. I momentarily thought about brandishing my Glock and shooting into the ceiling, but knew Tucker would have me arrested.
Tucker cleared his throat. “You know, Miss Westin and Merceau, this is the kind of disruptive crap I expect from your ilk. If I weren’t bound by propriety, you would’ve never been allowed to set foot in my office.” He took a breath. “This meeting is over. All of you will get a copy of the will once I’ve opened probate. My advice is not to foolishly spend money you don’t have, as I’m advising my client, Miss Ivers, to contest.”
“When and where is the memorial service?” I asked Violet, trying to hide my loathing.
Her hands clenched. “You’re certainly not invited; in fact, none of you are.” She covered her face and burst into tears.
Tolbert gasped at Violet’s words in shock. “But, Violet. I’d like to have a memorial service.”
“I said no,” she sobbed. “You’re not invited, either.”
The sadness that rolled across Tolbert’s face squeezed my heart. I just wanted to console him…after dragging Violet from her chair by her hair and slapping her senseless.
Fab jumped up and every man watched her wiggle her way out of the office in her tight black skirt, five-inch heels, and chest-hugging pullover top. “Hey, Annie, where’s our water?” she yelled in the hallway.
Chapter 12
Strong hands caressed my
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