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ETHAN

The morning after Jax and Aurora leave for New York, my uncle wakes me up bright and early at five a.m.

His name is Rocco—I’m not even kidding. His law firm manages the real estate that is technically mine. His team also handled my divorce, and he loves to talk.

“What the actual fuck?” he says in greeting.

“I take it you received something from Jackson’s lawyer?” My voice is husky, thick with sleep, and I clear my throat.

Rocco has been helping me with the Santa Monica property, and I might have asked him to investigate Jax’s trust.

“Something? That’s quite an understatement. Let’s start with the property in question. It’s in the trust’s name. A real mystery, considering the trust was allocated for distribution at twenty-one and the beneficiary is twenty-five. I’ve found no explanation as to why the funds weren’t distributed.”

I sit up and roll my stiff neck. I miss Jackson’s pillow-top mattress. “I’ll tell you why: because Kyle O’Reilly is draining his son of every penny.”

“There must be others involved. Tens of millions of dollars are unaccounted for. I received the original documents and an Affidavit of Change of Trustee, listing you as the new trustee. I’m filing it, along with a motion for a record of transactions. This is unbelievable.”

The legal jargon is lost on me, but the missing money doesn’t surprise me. “Will they allow it? The change of trustee?”

“They will, or I’ll expose everything.”

“That might be dangerous. Does the trust even exist if it ended on Jax’s twenty-first birthday?”

“Yes. Kyle was the successor after Jackson’s mother died. He never terminated the trust. We can take legal action against him for misappropriation of funds. It could become a lengthy battle, but I doubt it’ll go that far.”

“I’d rather not involve the courts.” I’m not subjecting Jax to public scrutiny of his father’s crimes, although that might become unavoidable, considering Ricky’s involvement. “Why not demand he end the trust instead of transferring trustees?”

“Distribution will take months with a trust this size. We have to transfer deeds, accounts, and investments. It’ll be quicker and safer on our side.”

“Let’s start on the Santa Monica property.”

“That one’s simple. It was purchased in cash. Once you’re the trustee, you’ll have control of the property and hundreds of millions of dollars, per my source.”

“Well, damn.” No wonder Jax spends money as if it’s limitless. For him, it is.

“That doesn’t even touch it. There are properties in California and Connecticut.

A London flat. Heirlooms and investments.

I researched his grandfather, Thad Jackson Vaughn.

In the sixties, he achieved fame as an actor.

He was a writer, philanthropist, and politician.

His wife was an actress and singer. They had two children, Jacquelin and Thad, both named after him.

Rather creepy, if you ask me. Thad Jr. died in a car accident when he was a teenager. ”

The word politician makes me suspicious, along with the accidental death. Jax’s grandfather could’ve been associated with Kyle. Nothing would shock me at this point.

“This will sound strange, but who inherits Jax’s money if something were to happen to him?”

“You’re worried about him. I got you. It’d go to his successor, a wife or dependent. If there isn’t one, then Kyle.”

I already know the answer, but I ask anyway. “Say Jax had a claim for child support. Would they consider the trust?”

“Any good lawyer would, yes.”

“Jesus,” I curse under my breath. There’s no straightforward way around this. Transfer the funds, and Kyle might go after Jax. Leave the funds, and he may go after Aurora. Either way, he’s a threat to what’s mine. “This is a clusterfuck.”

“Why? Because you and Jackson are dating the same model?”

I scoff. “Stop stalking me, Rocco.”

He chuckles, rich and hearty. “How’s the baby?”

“Perfect. You understand my problem?”

“I sure do. What do you need?”

“Security for Aurora and Jax. They’re on their way to New York, and Kyle has been having someone follow us.”

“Are you serious? Why didn’t you mention it sooner? Where are they staying?”

“Her Tribeca apartment— Oh! Which better not be one of ours with faulty radiator heat. She’s been sick the entire time.”

“You think I’d allow that? Your father would kill me. I’ll find a place. Anything else?”

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding. “Can I see him?” There’s a long pause, and my stomach sinks. Why do I even care? “If he wants nothing to do with me, spit it out.”

“No. No. That’s not it. I’m just stunned. I’ll arrange it.”