Page 41 of Sapphire Storm

“Perfect. Unfortunately, the next update isn’t quite sopositive.”

“The trust,” Roman said quietly.

Ethan nodded, studying him, as if giving Roman time to preparehimself for bad news. “You wouldn’t be able to remove Diana as trustee unlessyou took her to probate court. And you’d have to prove she wasn’t fulfillingher obligations. Have you seen any evidence she’s violating the trust documentsas they’re written?”

“I don’t even know how they’re written.”

“Okay, well, you should rectify that.”

“I know.” He wanted to hold the hawk to his chest, but hehad to turn it first so its beak wouldn’t poke him. “My mother’s house is adrop in the bucket compared to what Diana’s got. Why would she want to controlit like this?”

“To control you.”

The simplicity of the statement stung.

“She was planning this six months ago?” Roman asked once herecovered. “Scott and Rachel didn’t meet for another month after that.”

“Look, I’ve had a lot of Hollywood clients. In both myprofessions. The more famous ones, everyone in their life had a very specificrole. I mean, beyond just makeup artist or lawyer. When Diana met you, sheprobably thought she could find a use for your youth and looks eventually. Butfirst she needed something to lord over your head. There’s an upside here,though. The entire trust terminates in six months, and you’re still thebeneficiary. None of that’s changed. It all still goes to you in the end.”

Roman studied the bird on his lap. “If there’s anything leftafter I piss her off,” he grumbled.

“Then you take her to court.”

“With the money I don’t have anymore. Thanks to her. How’sthat work?”

“She’s a big target. You might find a lawyer who’ll take iton a contingency fee.”

“What’s that?”

“They only get paid if they win. And if you threaten Dianawith bad press, she might settle quickly. Hell, she might settle now.”

He caressed Gertrude’s wings, trying to draw strength fromthem. “And then I’m the celebrity trainer who turned on his biggest clientbecause he was too dumb to read what he was signing. That should really help mycareer.”

Ethan nodded, but he looked like he was doubting thisassertion. “Orshe ends up becoming the villain who preyed on agrieving young man. And you know how to work social media, which is where thesethings often play out. It’s just a matter of telling the right story.”

Roman nodded, but the prospect seemed overwhelming. And hisfollowers were more interested in seeing him work out shirtless than they werein hearing him complain about his business problems.

Happy, hand-holding straight couples moved past them alongthe boardwalk. For the most part, the surf sounds were drowned out by thepassing chatter combined with the rumble of cars behind them, some of thecouples probably gearing up for a long drive home as the sunny weekend came toan end.

“I apologize I didn’t come bearing different news,” Ethanfinally said.

“You got in touch with your lawyer on a Sunday?” Romanasked.

“She’s an old friend.”

“Still, that’s kind of amazing that you did that for me.”

“A promise is a promise,” Ethan said with a smile. “Aquestion, though. Once this all goes down with Rachel, you might need anotherplace to stay for a while. Do you have something lined up?”

“I was thinking of crashing with this guy Andy out inVictorville.”

“Someone you’re seeing?” Ethan asked without a trace ofjealousy or possessiveness.

“Andy Rosales? Oh my God, no. He was my mom’s boyfriend.Good guy. He’s practically family. I was out there earlier moving some of mystuff out of the storage unit Diana put it in before she started renovating thehouse. My car’s been out there forever. Diana said she’d rather have me drivingthe Bentley around town. Good impressions and all that.”

“Victorville’s a bit of a haul.”

“With traffic, yeah. I drove it twice today, and I’m beat.”

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