Page 2 of The Penalty

A pin could drop, and it would sound like a bomb in the silence in here. I resist the urge to shift in my seat.

“First off, we have the penthouse which he leaves to his wife. This includes all his possessions in the property and a trust to ensure her needs are met for the rest of her life. He has left each of his children a safe deposit box which I have the keys for and will give you after we finish, along with instructions on how to access those. He has set up trusts for each of his children as well, which you should already know the details of. I have taken over as trustee, so if you have any questions you can direct those to my office.”

What the fuck?

Does that mean I have a trust? That couldn’t be. Mom wouldn’t be so stressed about money if she knew we had access to a trust. She’d been beside herself since she found out about dad’s death, worried about money. She’s spent night after night crying at the kitchen table trying to prioritize which bills to pay. I already told her I’d get a part-time job to help out even though it would kill me to give up hockey. My mind reels—but it hits me—did she know?

I need to focus on what the lawyer is saying. I probably already missed a ton.

“As for his ownership stake in Godfrey Group, he is dividing the shares between all of his sons which means they will each get seventeen percent. While his daughter will get an equal amount in cash.” The lawyer goes over a few more details and other accounts but that’s basically it.

All of his sons.

Does that mean?

He sets down the papers and looks like he’s about to stand when one of my brothers clears his throat. “Yes, Oliver?”

“I’m confused,” he says in a bit of a condescending tone. “Maybe you can assist me with the math.”

“What are you confused about?” the lawyer asks.

“The percent of his ownership stake in his company. Seventeen plus seventeen is thirty-four. I thought he owned fifty-one percent?” Oliver’s stare is icy, and I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end.

“The shares were divided three ways,” the lawyer answers matter of factly.

My stomach flips and my ears start ringing. I barely hear what else they say.

I own seventeen percent of his company. Wouldn’t that make me… rich?

“Don’t we need a DNA test? We are just taking his mother’s word for this?” Oliver cuts in.

The lawyer gives him a flat look, not taking any of his crap. “Your father is on his birth certificate and named him as a son. As far as the law is concerned?—”

“He could have easily been deceived,” Oliver replies like it’s nothing.

“It doesn’t matter if he was…” Owen says softly.

Oliver turns on his twin and blinks. A low growl comes from him, but it doesn’t scare me. It makes me want to fight him like we are on the ice. I’m not about to back down to anyone.

“I thought maybe I should introduce myself.” I offer my hand.

Oliver looks me over with disdain written on his mouth. “Did you know?”

“Yes,” I admit, because I know what he’s getting at. I knew about them.

“And you never said anything to us?”

“It wasn’t my place.” It feels stupid as I say it.

“No? It wasn’t your place to introduce yourself before you showed up to pretend to be our father’s son? But now you’re not going to try and act like my brother?” he scoffs looking down on me. “No thank you.”

I get why he’s hurt. I’m sure I would be, but anger quickly takes over as he tries to shove past me. I step with him, preventing it. “There is no reason to be a dick. I didn’t choose any of this.”

“No, just to show up here and take our family legacy and shatter our mother.”

“I didn’t do that. Our parents did.” Anger fills my chest. I’m tired of suffering for my father’s mistakes.

“You certainly didn’t stop it. Did you?”

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