Page 6 of The Wedding Deal

“Because of that family” he had answered, understanding coming on Tessa.

“Oh my God, this is because of Andrew’s mother”

Her voice aghast seeing the small smile on his lips, a cruel sneer.

“I told her that I would have the last laugh, and that son of hers is a fool”

He replied, an evil glint lighting his small eyes. Silent for a few seconds Tessa had pulled herself together, hating the man before her.

“I will get a lawyer and have the money released myself”

She had finally declared softly the anger in her voice just barely contained. The sound of her grandfather’s laugh had made her grit her teeth as she glared down on him.

“According to MY lawyer, we could drag this out in the courts for at least six months – and I believe that the audit is next week.”

Tessa had reeled back in shock, the realisation that she would not be able to make good her promise to Andrew hitting her. The memory of his suicide letter had filled her mind, along with the gut thumping fear of what he would do when he found out.

There was no point arguing with her grandfather, many had tried and all had failed. John Jones had no kindness or charitable side to him, and trying to hold in the tears that she felt rushing to her eyes she had turned and started walking to the door.

“I do however have an offer for you, which if you agree to it will see your friend get his money tomorrow and leave your inheritance untouched, and if you don’t will see me making a phone call and having the auditor out tomorrow instead”

Tessa had stopped in mid stride, before turning and moving back to her grandfather her face a mixture of surprise and apprehension.

“Sit down Tessa”

He continued seeing how she had hovered indecisively beside him. Tessa speechlessly had done as she was told, her eyes watching the man before her.

“Alexis Demitri, he and I have been discussing a deal for quite some time, but he has proven…difficult”

He said his mouth tightening.

“Smart man”

Tessa had added, unable to hold back the comment, knowing how ruthless her grandfather was in business deals, knowing the underhand techniques he had used to in some cases to destroy other businesses and knowing that he was not bluffing about Andrew. She had seen the angry glint in his eye as he had continued.

“I need certain mineral rights that only he can give me access to, but let’s just say that he is smarter than most”

She could hear in his voice an almost reluctant respect for the man.

“As fascinating as this is, what has any of this to do with me?”

She had asked, a small feeling of dread, after her previous night’s conversation with Alexis filling her.

“Well Tessa, it seems that Alexis took quite a shine to you”

His eyes glowing brightly.

“He liked you very much”

“If you are taking to pimping out your family for the greater good of your business empire John, I suggest you stick with Marcie”

She bit out at him, her tone low and dangerous, making him laugh loudly.

“Well while I am sure it would be much easier with Marcie……..it seems his tastes do not seem to run that way” he had said just as contemptuously.

“He seems to like the more trashy type…I guess like mother, like daughter”

His eyes had flicked over her with disdain. Tessa had once more felt the pang of pain stabbing at her from his words, remembering her mother. So beautiful and vivacious in life, she had lived that life to excess with too many men, too much drink and too many drugs. She had been a weak woman beaten down by the man before her, her mother‘s lifestyle causing many scandals. When she had died from a drug overdose when Tessa was only ten she had never forgiven or forgotten his only comment to her.

“Good 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 satisfaction exuding from the man before her.

“Good. I will have my lawyer meet with you tomorrow afternoon after you meet with Alexis”

He said in a business-like tone.

“He wishes to see you for breakfast at the following restaurant at the following time”

As he had said this he had slid a piece of paper towards her, seeing how she had lifted it, reading the instructions. The handwriting was not known to her, and she umed it must therefore belong to Alexis Demitri.

“He is under the umption that you are doing this for money, and is offering you a very generous allowance while you are married. He will not know anything about our deal………better that way I think”

Tessa could only nod her distaste at her grandfather so obvious on her face.

As she had turned to leave he had stopped her once more.

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