Love Unclaimed by Jennifer Benson Read Free Book Online Page B

his desk. “I want you to know that you have my permission to marry her.”
    “I’m a grown ass man. I don’t need your permission to fuck anyone or marry anyone!” he screamed.
    “I am the man who holds all of your money though.” He leaned back in his chair. “And your brother’s money as well.”
    “I will make my own money.”
    “I’m sure you will, but until then I am paying for your schooling as well as your brother’s.”
    “Are you kidding me? It is always about the money with you.”
    “Money makes the world go ‘round, Son.” He laughed as Gavin squirmed. Gavin knew his father could see the debate going on in his son’s head. “Then if you won’t marry the Edwards’ girl, I have a gentlemen’s agreement with Harlen Meager. He has a daughter.” He laughed when Gavin scoffed at him. “ She is a nice girl. You should stop by and say hello. She is the same age as the Edwards’ girl.”
    “What? What does Meager’s daughter have to do with anything?”
    “She needs a husband. She is an only child. She will be the one to inherit all his land. We made an agreement that one of my boys would marry her when she was ready and of age. He will give me half the land after five years of the marriage and another twenty-five percent if a child was produced within the five. The rest of the land stays in her name to pass on.”
    “You are fucking crazy!  You are out of you mind, old man.  I am not going to marry some girl so you can take over the fucking world. Arranged marriages for increasing one’s land ownership died out years ago.”
    “Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but you will,” he sighed. “Or your brother will. This will happen. We have an agreement. If I don’t fulfill my end of the agreement,” he paused. “Well, it won’t be good if I don’t hold up my end.”
    “Ha, a gentlemen’s agreement with you? That was his mistake to make an agreement with you, let alone a gentlemen’s one.” Gavin laughed and stood up shaking his head. “I don’t care what you lose or what you have to do, but neither Travis nor I will be marrying that girl,” Gavin said and stormed out of the house.
    When he got back to Audree’s house, he went right to his room, shoved his stuff in his duffle and headed for the door.
    “Gavin,” Audree called cheerfully from the living room as he made his way to the door. She carefully eyed the bag in his hand. “Where are you going? I thought you were staying for a couple of days?” He heard the sadness in her voice and he wanted to tell her, but he had to get out of here. He had to start his life and get to planning on how to take down his father.
    “I have to go back today. There was a problem at work, and….” He watched her eyes well up with tears. Shit! This is why I didn’t want to come back. If it hadn’t been for his stuff, he would have just left. Fuck! Why did she have to be home? Why did he have to go to her last night? Now he had to break her heart so soon after the best night of his life with her. All this was because his father was a monster. The rage returned to him. He had to protect Audree from his father and the only way to do that was to stay away from her. He also had to protect Travis, but there was no way he was telling him about this stupid plan of his father’s. Travis would do anything for that man if it would get him to be proud of him or show him any interest at all.
    “I …”
    “I’m not going to lie to you Audree.” He stepped in front of her and pulled her into his arms. “I had it out with my father and … and I cannot even begin to tell you…” he shook his head. “I have a feeling he is on the phone right now yanking my tuition and I need to take care of it.” He brushed a kiss to her cheek.
    “So this isn’t because of last night?”
    “God no, last night was...” He took her face in his hands. “Audree, last night was the best night of my life.” He kissed her lips. “But like I told you last