The Wedding Deal Read Online Free PDF Page B

riddance to bad rubbish”
    With real hatred in her voice she had said softly her eyes flashing with warning.
    “Don’t EVER talk about my mother like that again”
    Making a small snorting noise that showed his feelings towards how little he cared about her mother he had continued.
    “Anyway, as much as I would not mind ‘pimping’ you out, Alexis has other requirements”
    Tessa had remained silent as he waited for some comment from her, shrugging when none had been forthcoming.
    “He wants a wife Tessa”
    She had frowned with annoyance, remembering the previous evening’s conversation.
    “He doesn’t even know me”
    She had mouthed.
    “Well maybe that is for the best”
    Her grandfather had added cruelly.
    “Alexis is a man who enjoys the finer things in life, including women. However, he has I suppose reached that age that he wants an heir to his fortune – and believe me Tessa he has a massive fortune to protect”
    “So why not marry one of the many willing little gold diggers out there”
    Tessa had thrown back.
    “Well the problem with gold diggers is that they tend to get lawyered up and greedy when wronged”
    His contempt for women so clear in the way he spat out the sentence.
    “No, he proposes a business deal. I will get my mineral rights and you will be his dutiful wife, producing for him children, while turning a blind eye to his…….. lifestyle”
    Tessa had felt sick.
    “An arranged marriage John? In this day and age – why me?”
    John Jones had smiled.
    “Well he wants to ensure he marries the right woman, and being my granddaughter gives you that credibility, along with your suitability as a mother apparently”
    For a few seconds there was silence as Tessa had let it all sink in, feeling trapped.
    “What if it doesn’t work out?” she asked gently.
    “Then you walk away with nothing – you give up rights to any children and have no right to any money of his”
    Looking at him with disbelief she had groaned.
    “How could I walk away from my own children – I could never do that”
    Leaning forward her grandfather had simply said.
    “Then don’t leave him”
    Tessa had sat back her eyes staring unseen at her hands. In her mind a plan had began to form. Once her grandfather had given Andrew the money, there was nothing that he could do to make her go through with the marriage. He would no doubt make her pay it back, but she like he could delay things in court for months, and would repay the money when her inheritance came through.
    “OK, she said softly, I’ll marry him, but Andrew gets his money tomorrow”
    Looking up quickly she had frowned as her grandfather had chuckled.
    “Ah Tessa, you are so like me sometimes”
    He had said a note of respect almost touching his voice.
    “You do however need to work on your poker face. Let’s be very clear. I only get my rights to the minerals for as long as you are married to him, or in the event that there are offspring. Therefore, I will be protecting my investment through your little friend Andrew”
    Gasping Tessa had looked back.
    “What does that mean?”
    “It means my dear “he spat out the words.
    “That I will be loaning the money to Andrew, and my accountants will go in and gather evidence of the fraud………..and if you don’t go through with this marriage or leave him before there are children then I will make sure that your little friend rots in jail forever”
    Tessa had slammed her hands on the table, moving to her feet, a small angry squeal leaving her.
    “Damn you John, damn you to hell”
    His laugh had only angered her more at the realisation she had once more been out-manoeuvred, before his voice had become serious.
    “Be under no illusion Tessa, I want this deal, and I will protect it at all costs……..those minerals mean much more to me than you do, believe me”
    Closing her eyes in defeat she had nodded slowly.
    “Fine…I don’t seem to have much of a choice do I?”
    She could feel the