Matt & Michelle 1: The Fugitive Heir Read Online Free

uncomfortable, holding my head up like that, but I didn’t say anything. Then Michelle put her hand on my forehead and pushed my head down onto her lap for the second time that night.
    Best. Night. Ever.
    “You’ve already figured out most of it, Matt. One of the major shareholders, probably a member of the board of directors, wants to stop you from liquidating those shares you’re set to inherit tomorrow. Your well-known tendency to slip away from your bodyguards’ protection gave them hope they could make your death look like random violence.”
    “What if I had just stayed holed up in the house until it was time to attend the inheritance appointment?”
    “I suspect the attack would have been much more public and much more obvious. And a lot more people would have been endangered.” Jonas stopped pacing. “It took me a couple of days to put all of this together, sir. Had you not slipped out of the house, I’d be having this discussion with you, your aunt, and your uncle right now. Drastic measures are called for, sir.”
    That put a damper on the best night ever, even when Michelle began stroking my head in sympathy.
    “So you’re saying I have to give up my dream of finding my parents and announce it to the public?”
    “That would be a start, sir, but I’m afraid it’s going to take more than that. To stave off attacks, I strongly recommend that you assign full control of all of your shares to your uncle or some other member of the board.”
    “Meaning I couldn’t vote or sell my shares.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “For how long?”
    “I suggest a minimum of seven years.”
    “And if I don’t make the announcement, I die and you and Michelle might get caught in the crossfire?”
    “I’m afraid so, sir.”
    “That is so not fair, Daddy!”
    “Life isn’t fair, pumpkin. You know that.”
    “Do it.” It came out as a harsh whisper.
    “Are you certain, sir? I admit I believe it is necessary, but should you choose otherwise I will abide by your decision.” Jonas’s eyes flicked to Michelle. “I will, of course, take the precaution of removing Michelle from your security detail.”
    I felt Michelle draw in a breath to protest her father’s pronouncement. “That won’t be necessary, Jonas. After all, it’s not like I really have any other choice.”
    Jonas sighed and shook his head. “No sir, you don’t. Let’s get you home and I’ll get the announcement out to the board and the newsies.”
    “Matt should stay clear of his home until the news is out, Daddy. After all, that’s where the assassins would expect to find him.”
    Jonas nodded his head slowly, agreeing with his daughter’s assessment. “Where do you suggest I take him, Michelle?”
    “Nowhere. Let him spend the night here. At least let him mourn the loss of his dream in the place where he’s most comfortable.”
    Jonas thought for a moment. “I suppose I could send for a couple of bodyguards.”
    “Matt already has a bodyguard here, Daddy. I’ll stay with him.”
    Jonas’ eyebrows climbed to his hairline. In other circumstances, I’d have laughed.
    “I’ve got this, Daddy.”
    Jonas’s fond smile returned. “I guess you do. Okay, pumpkin, I’ll call once it’s safe for Matt to come out.”
    Michelle let her father out and sealed the ship’s airlock. When she returned, Michelle slid back into her place on the couch, once again resting my head in her lap. She met my gaze and I saw her blue eyes were bright with unshed tears.
    “I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now, Matt, but holding it in won’t help.”
    A single tear spilled from her right eye and rolled down her cheek. With that tear, the dam holding my emotions in check burst.
    I buried my head against Michelle and sobbed.
    Sometime later, purged of tears and emotion, I fell quiet. Michelle stroked my hair, silently giving comfort and understanding. I wrapped my arms about her waist and gently squeezed, my cheek pressing into her soft