Page 103 of My Pleasure

“Ellar can you explain why you tried to access the accounts meant for Kiera?” Kal asked.

Ellar raised a shaking hand to cover his mouth. “As I had custody, I needed access to those funds to ensure that both children were taken care of. Kiera was gone most of the time, so she didn’t see how much it cost to feed and clothe two children.”

Kiera gritted her teeth. “I was away, taking jobs to earn money for my brother and sister. I worked for five years trying to help alleviate the burden of care for them. Had I known about our accounts I could been home the entire time, possibly meeting my mate sooner,” she snapped.

Only because she was looking right at her uncle when she said that, did she catch the look of utter hatred he shot at Hunter.

Hunter simply moved to the other side of Kiera, so he stood between her and her uncle. Augustus wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Elder Ironwood straightened the papers in front of him. “In light of the ambiguity surrounding the history of the accounts and how they were structured by Kerr and Islay Sorrel showing the intent for Kiera to watch over her siblings, I find in favor of Kiera Sorrel for full custody of minors Keran Sorrel and Nicol Sorrel.” He looked down the table. “Any opposed?”

The other elders shook their heads.

Marshall passed the paperwork back to Augustus. “We’ll send a runner this afternoon to deliver the household registration for the kids showing Kiera as their new guardian.”

“Thank you, sir,” Augustus replied.

The attendant stepped forward. “All adjourned.”

Her uncle and his assistant walked away without saying a word.

“Why do I feel like it’s not over?” she whispered, as the door closed behind them.

“Think of it this way, if he tries anything with the kids, we can legally kill him now,” Hunter said, rubbing her back.

Behind them Marshall coughed into his hand and Augustus stared at Hunter flatly.

Hunter straightened. “Hypothetically and all.”

Marshall shook his head. “I feel like some of that was Meryn’s fault,” he observed dryly.

Geon chuckled. “Not our princess.”

Kal looked at Hunter and gave a slow wink.

Augustus placed one hand on her back and one on Hunter’s. “Time to go home,” he said, pushing them from the room.

*****

When they walked back into the kitchen, Meryn looked up from her laptop. “The Bad Uncle neutralized?”

Kiera gave her a thumbs up. “We couldn’t have done it without you. You finding those bank accounts probably tipped the odds in our favor.”

Augustus sat down looking tired. “More like, gave them a reason to side with you.” He glared at Hunter. “Next time we’re in council meeting room, please don’t allude to murder.”

Meryn turned to Hunter. “You too, huh?”

Hunter looked a bit contrite. “I was trying to make Kiera feel better by threatening her uncle.”

Aiden clapped Augustus on the back. “How much to act as a retainer?” he asked, shooting looks at Meryn.

Augustus just buried his face in the crook of his elbow.

“I’m actually not that bad, because I kill people before we have to face the Elders, so it’s always a non-issue,” Meryn refuted not realizing that made her sound worse.

Augustus simply hit his forehead against the table repeatedly.

“Augustus, sit up straight,” a female voice chided.