Conviction (A Stand-alone Novel): A Bad Boy Romance by Ellie Danes Page B

inheritance."
    "Yeah, no problem. A few more minutes and I can easily plead insanity. That should get me out of it," I muttered.
    "You're just overwhelmed," Autumn said. "Your day to day will be the same as it was, well, with only the one difference."
    A shared sense of empathy filled the office. Bryon Shelton eyed the buried letter and tightened the corners of his mouth. Then he sighed. "Jace and I discussed it at length, and he was concerned about the overwhelming nature of what he was doing to you. I had to remind him that you have help. Autumn is one of the most efficient and organized executive assistants I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. And David Rooke is, ah, he has a great head for figures."
    "If it hasn't exploded by now," I said.
    Shelton chuckled. "Jace always delighted in yanking David's chain, and I have to confess I enjoyed the announcement more than is professional."
    "I heard he did the same to you," Autumn chided.
    "Ah, yes, there were many times when Jace would call with some outlandish problem or plan. It was always just believable enough that I would take him seriously." Shelton shook his head with a slow smile. "I once spent an entire day studying the laws of buying and selling human body parts because Jace convinced me he had found a mummy he wanted to purchase."
    "You don't strike me as someone easy to fool," I said.
    "No, but Jace has, I mean, had a way of sweeping people along with him. He ended the prank by bringing in a faux mummy and laying it out on my desk."
    Autumn laughed. "Then Jace made a sizable donation in your name to the museum of natural history's mummy collection."
    The lawyer smiled at the memory, then his eyes grazed the letter again and he grew serious. "I'm afraid we have some more business details to cover before we continue reminiscing."
    Shelton handed over a thick financial report bound with clear plastic covers. I tried my best to concentrate on the numbers, but all I could do was hear Jace's laughter. I knew bequeathing Knight Holdings was his ultimate way of saying thank you, but I could not help thinking he had more in mind than repaying a childhood debt.
    Just hearing the quick rundown from the highly efficient Bryon Shelton was exhausting. Jace wanted me to know he had not wasted a second of his time out in the world. He had worked every day to create an empire to be proud of.
    I was still deep in thought about Jace's hard work when the words 'federal investigation' rang through. "I'm sorry, did you say 'federal investigation?'"
    "Please understand there is nothing to be concerned about. I have already met with the federal agents on Jace's behalf. They are simply interested in some of the investments Knight Holdings has made. A very small portion, but you will still come under some scrutiny," Shelton said.
    I held up both hands. "You could have told me that Jace was a vampire overlord, and it was my duty to find blood for his thirty masses. I would have been game, but I'm sorry, now I'm out for sure. I'm not going anywhere near anything that is under scrutiny from the feds."
    "I understand your hesitation, Mr. King." Shelton adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses and sat forward. His eyes strayed to the tucked-away letter again and for a moment I thought he was finally going to tell me about it. "Please understand it is strictly Knight Holdings, primarily a few investments, that is under scrutiny. The agents are fully aware of you, your past, and even what was said at your trial."
    "So what stinks about Knight Holdings so bad that the big dogs are coming around?" I crossed my arms over my chest.
    Autumn shifted in her leather armchair and turned to face me directly. "In large, multi-faceted companies like Knight Holdings, there tend to be a few loose ends. Sometimes business deals fall through but stay on the books. Sometimes our business partners change company names before the papers are drawn up."
    Shelton nodded. "In this case, there are a few nonsense business