Page 37 of Her Wicked Husband (The Huxleys #2)

Fiona

As we walk out of the judge’s chamber, Bryce’s phone pings. He checks the screen with a small frown, then shakes his head. “I have to go.”

“I thought you took the entire morning off.” I was hoping to have lunch together and maybe figure out some of the details for going forward.

“I did. But apparently…” He rolls his eyes.

“Okay. You go ahead. I’ll just get an Uber.”

“Don’t be silly. Take the car—I’ll Uber.” After placing the fob in my hand, Bryce walks off.

I stare at his back for a moment, puzzled. He’s giving me his Lamborghini to drive? I’m a good driver, but surely he doesn’t trust me that much… Does he?

I checked my phone’s notifications. Nothing from Sherry.

Hollowness pierces my heart. It’s been three years since she quit sending me birthday wishes.

Technically, today is Finley’s birthday—don’t know my real one, since my biological parents weren’t thoughtful enough to share that info when they abandoned me—but it became mine when the Obermans adopted me.

Zachary spent a lot of time, money and energy to update it on the official government papers to make sure I could be the perfect Finley substitute .

Except it seems like I haven’t measured up in the last few years. Sherry would never ignore the birthday otherwise.

Isn’t this what I wanted? To be Fiona, not Finley?

But somehow Sherry’s silence feels like a rejection.

Before, I chalked it up to the fact that Zachary’s health wasn’t good, but now there’s no excuse.

Sherry doesn’t want me either, even though I’ve done everything she expected of me.

Resentment simmers, but confusion and surprise soon follow.

I realize I wanted her to continue in my mother’s role as long as possible, so I could lie to myself that I wasn’t truly alone.

Now I can’t even pretend. Did I really want Sherry to act maternal even if she only saw me as Finley? Was I that desperate deep inside?

I shake myself mentally. I’ve always been alone, from the very beginning.

I was discarded by my birth mother, and my previous adoptive parents didn’t want me either.

I shouldn’t have wanted the Obermans to be any different.

They made their preference clear all the times they looked the other way when Aaron bullied me for “stealing” his sister’s place.

To be fair, back then he was too young to understand that I was there to be Finley’s substitute for his mother.

Somebody—an adult, most likely—clarified my role for him.

I put my phone away and start to leave the courthouse.

“Such a gentleman, letting you take the Lambo.”

My steps slow as I glance at a tall man in an expensive-looking suit.

His hands in his pockets, he wears a harmless smile.

However, there’s a subtle edge that screams danger.

His broad, powerful shoulders fill his jacket, and there’s the barest hint of menace in his relaxed posture.

His dark hair is slicked back, showing a high forehead.

His amber eyes crinkle slightly with a smile, but there’s a cold calculation in his gaze.

He might think he’s slick. Most people would be fooled, but not me.

I’ve been dealing with snakes all my life—people who tell me how much they like me only to discard me as soon as they don’t need me anymore.

“Do I know you?”

His smile grows more brilliant. “Of course you do. Or you will. I’m your new uncle.”

I tilt my head. “Uncle?”

“Yes. Harvey.” He watches me closely with an expectant smile. If he thought I’d go, “Oh, of course! I’ve heard so much about you from Bryce,” he’s in for a major disappointment.

“And your Cupid,” he continues.

I frown with confusion. “Cupid?”

“I brought you and Bryce together.” He places a hand on my shoulder. From somebody else, the gesture might seem friendly. From him it’s mildly threatening, like a viper slithering along your skin.

“I have no idea what you mean, and I don’t know any uncles,” I say, stepping away from his touch.

He looks at the hand I rejected, then shrugs. “We should have a proper conversation. How about a late brunch?”

“No, thanks. I need to get going.”

“Fine. I suppose we can talk out here. I don’t mind.” But his cold eyes say he most definitely minds and pressure me to agree to the brunch.

I stubbornly keep my mouth shut. Bryce didn’t say anything about anyone coming over to the courthouse. And after meeting his lovely mom, I’m not risking—

“I saw you met my sister. Zoe always makes an impression, eh? I guess she did on you, too.”

My mouth dries. This is the mob uncle Bryce mentioned . I doubt this man’s going to be any better than Zoe, especially since he’s fighting with her for control over the criminal enterprise. “She did. But look, I don’t want anything to do with you or your sister.”

“Sure you do. Your brother owes me two million, which you plan to pay back.”

“How do you know—? Wait, are you the loan shark?”

“Bingo. Although I prefer the term ‘preferential lender.’ Whatever you call it, it’s one of my more minor interests.”

I pull out my phone. No way am I letting that sum of money hang over my head, especially if the person’s Zoe’s archnemesis and brother. I don’t want to give anybody the impression I’m picking a side. “Great. Why don’t you send me your bank information so I can wire the money today?”

He puts a finger on the edge of my phone and lowers it. “Don’t be so cold. There’s no need. We’re family now. Consider it a wedding gift. ”

Oh, hell no . “No thank you. Two million is not on the registry,” I say with a forced smile.

He gives me a look. “Honey, you think I got where I am by coloring inside the lines?”

“I have no idea. But it’s my policy not to accept anything from anyone that might come back to haunt me.”

He lets out a soft chuckle. “You’re interesting. But it’s a gift, not a trap.”

I let the statement hang, not responding, but he keeps staring at me like he needs me to say something before he can continue. “Okay,” I finally say. It’s the only neutral thing I can think of.

“Seriously, the two mil is yours. Consider it…compensation for you keeping my nephew as happy as possible, for as long as possible.”

I scowl at Harvey. He’s talking to me like I’m just a tool. Probably a shared sibling trait, albeit he’s more civilized than Zoe.

He leans so close that I can smell the cool aftershave on his skin. A chill runs through me, but I don’t back down.

A genuine smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“Besides, a couple million is nothing between family, right?” He leans forward.

“You can just give me something suitably reciprocal later, if it bothers you that much,” he says into my ear, making me shiver.

He pulls back and straightens his jacket. “Like maybe nine months from now.”