Adrian and I had just finished breakfast when his phone rang. I watched him as he got up from the table and walked into the hallway just outside the dining room to answer the phone.

A part of me was starting to grow concerned about him, and I wished that we both hadn't come back here. It wasn't that I was afraid of this villa anymore. After everything I had been through, coming back to this place wasn't as bad as I had imagined it would be.

The fear I'd had while I was here continued because all I had were the memories of my time in the training grounds with Lucas and the way their father treated me. The way he threatened Adrian with a gun. I will never be able to wipe that image out of my mind. But that was what his father had done, and his father was dead. After the beautiful drive through the property surrounding this villa and then meeting Adrian's mother yesterday, this place seemed lovely to me now.

The thing that was worrying me was Adrian. As soon as we got here he seemed distant and preoccupied. I completely understood that he was concerned about his mother and I wanted to give him as much support as I could. But I couldn't help but notice that he didn't seem as interested in me since we'd arrived. We hadn't made love since we left the hotel in Russia, and as much as I knew that he loved me and he wanted me, it felt like there was something wrong.

As I watched him enter the dining room again I wondered to myself if it was this place. Or maybe it was just the stress of seeing his mother so sick. I just hoped it wasn't me.

"That was Lucas. My mother passed away last night."

"Oh no!" I stood up and went to Adrian, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him close to me. "I'm so sorry, Adrian."

"I'm so glad I made it back to see her before she died. I would've never been able to forgive myself if I hadn't."

"I'm glad too, Adrian." I really was glad that Adrian got to see his mother before she died. And even though I was still worried about him—about us—I couldn't bother him with my fears now. Besides, I knew I was being ridiculous, even though I was having a hard time shaking this bad feeling.

"When do we meet with your father's lawyer?"

"In about half an hour. We should probably head over there now. Lucas said he's going to meet us over there."

"How are you doing?" I asked, my arms still around his neck. "I know this must be so hard for you. Please let me know if there's anything I can do. Any way I can help."

Adrian looked down into my eyes and I could see tears start to well up. "Just be with me. You're all I need right now." He bent down and kissed me and I knew then that I just had to give him time. He needed time after his mother and father both died. Regardless of how he felt about him, I knew his father's death was hard on Adrian as well. Not to mention being back in this house. There was nothing I wouldn't do for him now, and helping him through all of this was the very least I could do.

* * *

"Hello Adrian, it's good to see you again," an older man in a suit said as he held out his hand to Adrian.

The room we stood in was exactly how I had imagined Fredrick Bellini's office would look. Polished hardwood walls with ornate molding around the floor and ceiling, incredibly ornate carved door frames with antique brass doorknobs, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that were filled with leather-bound books. Everything in the room was dark and elegant, and even with the drapes pulled on the large picture windows, the room had a somber feel to it.

"It's good to see you too again, Gavin. This is Brooklyn Pierce …"

"Yes, your mother told me all about her. It's very nice to meet you, Brooklyn," he said, extending his hand to me across a large, mahogany desk. "Why don't the two of you go ahead and have a seat and we'll get started as soon as your brother gets here."

As I looked around the room, taking in the ornate details that surrounded me, I couldn't help but feel that I didn't belong there. The room was actually not all that different from my own father's study back in New York, but there was something about the feel of this room that had been occupied by Fredrick Bellini. I didn't feel comfortable or welcome, which was ridiculous when I actually thought about it. Now that both of their parents were dead the entire villa belonged to Adrian and Lucas.

"Gavin," Lucas said as he approached the desk, then sat down in the third chair that had been placed in front of the desk.

"I guess we can get right down to business since it's just going to be the three of you. I was informed about your mother passing away last night. I was really only coming here today as a formality so that your mother could speak with me about her own will after we went over Fredrick's. But now that won't be happening. We'll just move right to what was included in your father's will.

"But first, I want to offer my sincere condolences to both of you. Caroline was an extraordinary woman and she will be missed. If there's anything I can do for either of you, help with any arrangements or anything at all, please let me know."

"Thank you, Gavin," Adrian said. "The funeral for both of them will be at the cemetery where our family mausoleum is located. I'm not sure where the reception will be though. I'll have to discuss that with my brother."

"Why don't you have it here? The garden in front of your parents' house is so lovely. I think that would make a wonderful place to celebrate her life … or both of their lives," I said, hoping I wasn't speaking out of turn and feeling a bit callous for leaving their father out. Even though I couldn't have cared less about celebrating his life or anything having to do with him.

Lucas looked at Adrian and shrugged. "Well, now that Dad isn't around to patrol who comes and goes, that's not a bad idea at all."

"That is a great idea. I think she would definitely approve," Adrian said with a warm smile, taking my hand in his.

"Very well, then. Let's get on with the reading of your father's will. After speaking with your mother and confirming what she told me with a paternity test, Brooklyn Pierce has been named as one of the beneficiaries to the Bellini estate. According to what I have in front of me, the three beneficiaries included Caroline Bellini, Lucas Bellini, and Brooklyn Pierce.

"Adrian, your father explicitly prevented you from receiving any money from the Bellini estate in his will. It's my understanding that your mother wanted to include you in her own will, but unfortunately she didn't do so before she passed."

"Yes, I'm aware that he took me out of his will. I don't know that I would have wanted any part of the estate even if my mother had put me into hers. But yes, I understand."

"Fine. Now that Caroline is no longer with us, the Bellini estate will be divided equally between Lucas Bellini and Brooklyn Pierce. There are a number of accounts that will need to be settled before a final number can be reached, but this figure is based on a rough estimate of all accounts and debts that are outstanding, as well as the real estate holdings and incidentals, such as the cars, yachts, airplanes, etcetera.

"The total, to the best of your accountant's knowledge, comes to 550 billion dollars. There are number of businesses listed under the umbrella of the Bellini name whose fate will have to be decided between the two of you, as well as whether any of the outstanding debts will be pursued.

"I realize that this is a lot of information to take in, and a lot to think about. Your father's estate is very large. It's surprising to me that he was able to maintain this level of business on his own with so few employees. From what I understand, you are very familiar with the business end, Adrian. If your brother and your wife would like to consult with you for advice on any decisions regarding the business or any of the holdings, that shouldn't be a problem as far as your father's wishes are concerned."

"I'd want Adrian's advice whether it conflicted with his wishes or not. I'm officially giving you the title of Bellini estate advisor, Adrian. There's no way I'm dealing with this without you."

"But I haven't had anything to do with any of it for over a year."

"Yeah, but you know a hell of a lot more about it than, well, than anyone."

As the three of them continued talking I tried to stay focused on the conversation, but I was having a very difficult time. My mind kept drifting to what the lawyer had said about the net worth of the estate, and the figure of 550 billion dollars kept rolling around in my head. I couldn't even comprehend how much money that was.

I kept glancing over and Adrian and Lucas and they both seemed so calm about the whole thing. It finally occurred to me that Adrian had been used to a much different lifestyle than I had from a very young age. I had always thought of my family as well off, but the amount of money my father had was a drop in a bucket compared to this.

I was having an especially hard time accepting the fact that half of that money was now mine. Half of this entire estate was mine. This place that I had dreaded returning to, that had been the source of some of my worst memories and greatest fears, now belonged to me.

I felt Adrian's hand squeeze mine and looked over to see his kind eyes gazing down at me.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I said, my voice barely over louder than a whisper. "I'm just … I'm surprised I guess. I really didn't know what to think when your mother told me I was going to be included in the will. I wasn't thinking of the money or any of the assets, that's for sure. And it didn't occur to me that I would become owner of this place."

"Part owner," Lucas said from across the room. "We're partners in everything now."

That thought sent shivers up my spine. I didn't want to be partners in anything with Lucas. I still didn't completely trust him and I had no interest in spending time alone with him. In fact, I wasn't even sure I wanted any of Fredrick Bellini's money.

"You will help up with this, won't you?"

"Of course. I'll take care of everything. You won't have to worry about any of it. Lucas is right. If anyone knows my father's business it's me."

"And you know that I don't consider this money mine. I can't imagine taking money that was earned through your father's business practices."

"We can talk about all that later. There's a lot of good you could do with that money, you know. You'd probably be the best person to decide how to spend it."

"We'll decide together, Adrian. The money is ours."