Page 66 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

“Lyra, you can’t put your future in my hands. I can’t have children with you, nor—”

“William. There is artificial insemination, plus, we have a child. A rather bright and inquisitive son—who is currently hooked on superheroes. We have to convince Avery they are movies and not reality. I’m not high-maintenance; I’m happy with a simple life. The Jasper fortune is immense. I don’t have to work, and we can live here.

“Maybe if we vanquish this evil, then you and Avery can leave the lighthouse and visit places. A family-owned yacht is available for us to take out sailing, too.”

We both jumped when someone suddenly pounded on the door.

“It’s late, too late for visitors,” Lyra said.

“Let me check,” I replied and disappeared.

By the time Lyra had reached the ground floor, I’d checked out the stranger outside. He was older than both of us, handsome yet cold. I’d no idea who he was.

Lyra

“It’s a man,” William murmured. I glanced at the kitchen clock; it was nearly midnight. The man banged again, and I opened the door. William plastered himself to my back. Even though I couldn’t see him, I could feel him. Reassured that I had backup, I faced the stranger.

“Can I help?” I asked, wondering if he’d broken down.

“Out of the way, girl,” he ordered and shoved aside.

William moved, and I held a hand up. Something was very wrong with this scenario. Unease coiled in my gut.

“You’ve thirty seconds to identify yourself before I throw you out and call the police. This is private property…”

“Oh, shut up. God, you whine like Susan did,” he said, turning and looking me over. It was his eyes, the same as mine, that gave away our connection.

“You’re Lyle.”

“Well, guess you have some semblance of a brain. Must get that from me,” he sneered.

“I won’t even bother answering that. What do you want?”

“It’s simple. I’m the eldest and the Jasper inheritance should have come to me, and I’m here to claim it. I’ve papers here for you to sign. Sit down and start signing them now!”

Deliberately keeping a distance, I backed away and leaned against the stair bannister. The sheer cheek.

“Why on earth would I do that?” I asked, amused but at the same time shocked by Lyle’s sheer arrogance.

“Because I’m the eldest Jasper alive. I’m the heir. And you’re my daughter. Frankly, you’ve neither the brain nor the intelligence to manage this estate. You’re already mishandling it by refusing a multi-million-pound sale of the lighthouses.”

There it was. Several things hit and landed at once. Lyle knew about the attempted land grab. This was Keith again. He’d somehow found Lyle and brought him here. Lyle also expected to get the inheritance, despite being male. I wondered if I had signed those papers, how they’d hold up in court? But I’d no plan to. And Lyle clearly was buying into Keith’s rubbish of believing that I lacked any brain whatsoever.

“First off, this is my home. You don’t get to barge in here and shout demands,” I said, flaring up. Lyle glowered. “Next, I won’t be signing anything. You’re my father? Don’t make me laugh—you’re barely more than a sperm donor, and I owe you bugger all. And you mention my intelligence? The lack of yours is amazing. A male can’t inherit the Jasper Trust. Even if you discovered a loophole, nothing in The Trust can be sold. Not the lighthouses or the land.

“Tell your idiotic friend Keith, good luck; he just bought himself a harassment suit. I hope Keith has the finances to back up these bullying tactics. Because he’ll run out of money long before me.” I stomped forward, poking my finger into Lyle’s chest. “I’d rather burn the fortune than give you a penny. Call me stupid? At least I understand my rights and the Jasper Trust. What makes you think I owe you anything?”

Lyle’s mouth worked angrily. “Do as you’re told! I’m your father!” he thundered.

“No, I’m Susan Jasper’s daughter. You only provided some DNA. I’m twenty-five years old, and this is the first time I’ve ever set eyes on you. That doesn’t say much about you, Daddy Dearest. You’re disgusting. Jesus, do you really believe I’m some brainless twit who’d obey mindlessly? You’re bloody delusional. Now, take your damned demands and get lost!” I ordered.

Sheer fury crossed Lyle’s face, and I inwardly quailed. This man was capable of violence. He stepped forward, fists clenched, eyes narrowed on me.

“You. Will. Do. As. You’re. Told.”

“No.” I folded my arms and held Lyle’s furious gaze. Lyle’s hand rose, and before it fell, he was shoved back roughly.

Lyle looked confused and came at me again. William pushed him so hard this time Lyle smashed into the wall by the door.