Betting on Both

by Sheryl Nantus

  “Good.” Jacob cleared his throat. “Good.” He covered her hands with his, swallowing her up with his thick, calloused grip. “I’ll send her a bonus. Thank God you’re alive,” he rasped.

  “Thank Cole and Julien,” Kat replied, finding her strength and putting it into action.

  The frown signaled the end of the détente.

  “We’ll talk about that later.” He bit down on his bottom lip. “I’m going to go rest. It was a long flight, and I’m not getting any younger.” His cheeks reddened. “Had the doctor check my blood pressure five times already. Told him I was fine, but you know these medical types. Any chance to make themselves feel useful.”

  “You were stressed out. Don’t be upset ’cause they wanted to keep an eye on you.” Kat kissed him on the cheek, sensing the shift in his mood. “Call me when you’re ready to have dinner. The chefs are eager to show off their new dishes and I think you’ll love them.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” He smiled and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you in a few hours, after I’ve settled.” He gave her another hug, almost sweeping her off her feet again. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” His voice cracked again, tearing at her heart. “I couldn’t imagine a world without you.”

  Kat tucked her arm in his and walked him to the elevator. “I don’t know if you noticed it on the way in, but the parking lot’s full. The front desk is going wild with bookings, and the pit bosses are screaming for help to empty their cash boxes.”

  Jacob chuckled and patted her hand as the doors opened. “I had faith in you. You’re a McMaster; you’ve got business sense in your genes. I knew you could do it.” He nodded at his own bodyguard who had stood discreetly by the elevator during their exchange. “I’m going to my suite.”

  Kat waved as the doors closed, Andy by her side. He’d replaced Cole as her primary protector for the time being, taking up his position in the hallway.

  She hadn’t heard anything about tossing Cole out of the adjoining room. Yet.

  Kat strolled back to her own suite, trying hard not to frown. She didn’t believe for a second Jacob was tired from traveling and worrying about her. Granted, he’d started the flight when she was still missing but now he was reverting to form, doing exactly what he always did when hitting a new site.

  Kat knew his tricks all too well.

  He wasn’t going to be lying in bed, recovering from the stress or the trip. Jacob McMaster would be busy going over the records, over the surveillance cameras, studying the reports his spies were sending from the casino floor, the hotel lobby, everywhere he could get information from.

  She’d have no defense if they didn’t line up with what he expected or what she’d forecast. But Kat knew what he’d find, and she wasn’t going to give up on anything or anyone right now.

  She sat on the sofa and opened her laptop, calling up the same records she knew her grandfather would be accessing. Wrestling with cold, hard numbers was a good way to settle her nerves.

  Information was power.

  It took the rest of the afternoon to confirm her data, but when she left her suite to head to the restaurant for dinner, she was prepared to fight for everything she wanted.

  Including her men.

  Julien spotted him the second he came into the club area, the two security men scanning around them for any possible trouble.

  Jacob McMaster stood out like a sore thumb; the elegantly dressed senior making his way through the invited guests, glad-handing here and there with a bob of his head and a smile.

  His eyes locked onto Julien’s.

  There was no need to speak.

  Julien knew a summons when he saw one.

  He finished off his set and pointed at the musician whom he’d stolen the bench from. The piano player came back from the bar and took over without missing a beat. Julien stood, nodding at Henri.

  The music continued uninterrupted.

  Jacob settled himself at a table, his back against the wall. The bodyguards fanned out, keeping a respectful distance.

  A waitress brought over a drink as Julien approached. He stopped short of the table and crossed his hands behind him, waiting.

  There was no use antagonizing the man any more than he already had by his mere existence.

  Jacob sipped the light brown liquor before waving him over. He pointed at the chair and Julien sat.

  “Drink?”

  “No, thank you.” Julien smiled. “I don’t like to drink and play.”

  The elderly man nodded. “Wise decision.” He nodded toward the stage. “You’re quite good. Ever think about going pro?”

  “Every once in a while. But then I remember how much I love my other job. Musicians can get tired, burned out.” Julien waggled his long slender fingers in the air. “This way my audience gets me at my best, when I’m ready to put my heart into it. As in all things.”

  Jacob leaned back. “I guess you know why I want to talk to you.”

  “Your granddaughter.”

  “My granddaughter,” Jacob echoed, “and her future.”

  Julien tilted his head to one side. “Her future is her own to choose.”

  “True. To a degree.” The multimillionaire took another sip. “But she’s a McMaster and certain things are expected of the name.”

  “Such as being able to resurrect an acquired property from near death.” Julien smiled as Allie passed by, her tip cup overflowing with bills. “The Majestic is going to be one hell of a feather in the McMaster cap.” He turned to look at Jacob directly. “And in Kat’s.”

  “Yes. On that we can agree. But as for the rest . . .” Jacob shook his head. “I hope you’ll understand it’s impossible.”

  “Some would say that this,” Julien waved his hand around to encompass the casino, “would have been impossible.”

  The gesture earned him a cold stare.

  One of his bodyguards moved a step closer, picking up on the older man’s attitude.

  “I know your type,” Jacob said. He took his glass and swirled the ice cubes around. “Do you think you’re the first to try and get into my family like this?” His voice rose. “I’ve seen women toss their panties at my sons to try and get into their beds. I’ve watched men brag about how they were going to manipulate their way into my daughter’s life. They chased her like dogs after a bone until she found the right man and settled down.”

  “You loved your daughter,” Julien interrupted. “Of that I have no doubt.”

  The senior’s eyes narrowed.

  Julien continued, aware he was treading on holy ground.

  “You wanted the best for her and you loved her and your son-in-law. And you love your granddaughter as much, if not more, because she’s the best, heart and soul, that your family has ever created.” He didn’t slow down, wasn’t going to let the old man take the conversation back. “You love Kat. I love Kat. What makes this so hard to imagine?”

  “You have to see it from my side,” Jacob said.

  “I do,” Julien replied. “And I see your fear. Would it ease your pain if I told you I want nothing from her other than her love? I don’t want the money; I don’t want the power. I don’t want anything other than what I’ve earned.” He couldn’t hold back the smile. “You’ve looked at the books. You know what we’ve done here is amazing. Kat gets credit for it but you have to give some to me and some to Cole. It took the three of us to create this. Together.” He locked eyes with the older man, not caring about the scathing stare from the bodyguard. “I love her. I would have done all of this whether she took me into her bed or not. She offered me her heart and I’m a better man for it.” He rose from the chair. “You can fire me, you can blackball me, but I’m a survivor. And so is Kat. You might bend her but you’ll never break her.” Julien paused, seeing the confusion in his face. “Instead of worrying about how she’ll fit into your perfect world, why not think about fitting into hers?” He smiled. “Thanks for the talk. I’ve got to get back to work.”

  He didn’t wait
for a reply and walked back to the stage, waiting for a chance to take the piano back. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jacob rise from the table and leave, bodyguards in tow.

  Chapter Eleven

  Cole rubbed the top of his head, fingers scratching across the short hair. “It’s crazy, I know.” He sat across from David, leaning forward in the chair. “If you had asked me a year ago if this were possible I’d have punched you in the face. To start with.” He paused. “You know I’m not given to spontaneous acts of insanity.”

  “I know.” David smiled. “And I can tell you really, really care about her. Along with this . . . arrangement. I can’t say I understand how you make it work, but I can respect that you do. All three of you.” He chuckled, a low rolling rumble. “I never thought I’d be having this conversation with you, especially after you fought tooth and nail to get off this assignment. What happened?”

  Cole spread his hands. “I fell in love.” He shook his head. “I tried not to, believe me. But it crept up on me and caught me in its jaws, shook me like a rag doll until I had to give up and say yes to it.”

  “I believe you.” David nodded his approval. “The question now is what do we do about it?”

  As if on cue the hotel door opened and Jacob McMaster entered, his bodyguards waiting out in the hall.

  Both men scrambled to their feet.

  It took an effort for Cole not to snap to full attention, the power emanating off of the executive demanding compliance. He settled for tucking his hands behind him and giving a polite nod.

  Despite working for McMaster Industries for years he’d only seen Jacob McMaster at a distance, never having the opportunity or status to deal with the man in such close quarters.

  Jacob stopped in front of Cole. “So, Mr. Harrison. You’ve explained your side to David, I assume.”

  Cole nodded. “I have.” There was no mincing words with a man like this.

  Jacob looked over at the security director. “And your assessment of the situation?”

  “I think . . .” He glanced at Cole before turning back to Jacob. “I think it’s nothing that can’t be repaired. The tabloids are headed for another news cycle and in a few days the issues will be off the stands and archived. A successful reopening is the best response to any criticism of favoritism; the results speak for themselves.” He drew a shallow breath before continuing, his voice growing stronger as he swerved into comfortable territory. “The positive publicity from Kat’s rescue can’t be dismissed; it’s what everyone’s talking about right now, and it’s dominating the news cycle. Having our own people retrieve her is good all around, and—” He paused at seeing Jacob’s upraised hand.

  “Thank you. I’d like a few minutes with Cole alone.”

  David said nothing. He went to the door and stepped out into the hallway, avoiding Cole’s eyes.

  “Answer me one question.” Jacob glared at Cole. “How did you trick Kat into going along with this?”

  “It was her idea,” Cole said, forcing down his anger. “Not mine, not Julien’s. She approached us.”

  The shocked look in Jacob’s eyes flushed away the rage.

  “You can ask her. It was Kat’s idea,” Cole repeated. “She’s been in control of this from the very beginning. The hotel, the casino, this relationship. Everything.” He studied the older man. “She came here with one goal in mind. To rebuild this property and make it a success so you could be proud of her. And that’s never stopped being her endgame. From the minute she landed here she was in charge. She listened to Julien’s suggestions but made him work for it; she didn’t approve the renovations sight unseen. She asked for plans, details; she even threw out one contract because it was too high. Told Julien to get a better deal or else.”

  Jacob’s mouth twisted upward. “She’s always demanded the best.”

  “Yes. Which is why she chose us.” Cole kept talking, desperate to get the words out before being interrupted. “She chose Julien and she chose me to be her lovers. You have to trust her to know what’s right for her, what’s right for us. We love her, we worship her, and she loves us back. And that’s all there is to it.” Cole fell silent and waited for the response.

  Jacob’s eyes narrowed as he studied Cole’s face.

  It took a concentrated effort not to smile or laugh, seeing Kat’s features reflected in the older man’s face.

  After a minute Jacob grunted and pulled away.

  He walked to the door and flung it open before striding through. His bodyguard moved to follow the businessman as he went down the hall.

  David reentered the hotel room. It was obvious from his confused expression he hadn’t any clue as to McMaster’s final decision.

  Cole spread his hands. “So now what?”

  David shook his head. “I’ve got no idea.” He paused and looked at the minibar. “I’d suggest we have a drink. As far as I know you’re still suspended, and I’m taking a good long break.”

  Cole laughed as David pulled out his handkerchief again and mopped his face. “I’m good with that.”

  Kat checked herself out in the mirror for the third time since getting dressed. The short black dress was neutral enough for dinner with her grandfather, and yet dressy enough to not have the photographers whining about her looking sloppy.

  A trio of security personnel fell in around her as she stepped out into the lobby, forming a protective circle.

  She didn’t complain. The crowd was huge and enthusiastic, almost to the point of giving her a case of agoraphobia. The hum of happy customers swirled around her as she walked to the restaurant.

  Kat grinned, caught up in the contagious euphoria. The gold and silver decorations were perfect, the antique-style wooden furniture taking her back to an earlier time, a more genteel era with all of the pomp and circumstance of the time. It wasn’t impossible to imagine the riverboat pulling in at the pier and discharging its passengers seeking to stay ashore for one night before continuing their trip downstream.

  The new uniforms were perfect; a mixture of eighteenth-century style and practicality, allowing the staff to do their jobs without ripping out stitches or injuring themselves. The theme was working well and she heard plenty of compliments directed her way by those who recognized her.

  There were also others; shouted questions involving Julien and/or Cole, screeched inquiries about her abduction and how she felt.

  Kat wasn’t given a chance to respond or even slow down, the security tide carrying her into the restaurant without even a hesitation at the front doors. The waves of people parted, customers and staff, until she found herself at the back of the restaurant at a corner table.

  Jacob was already in his chair, sampling some fine red wine. He smiled and stood, the unlit pipe tight between his lips.

  “You look fantastic.” He took both her hands and kissed her on the cheek. “You’ve got your mother’s stamina. Nothing would hold her down for long.”

  She kissed him back and added a hug for good measure. “Thank you.”

  The waiter approached and Jacob ordered a string of dishes for both of them.

  Kat laughed as the waiter moved off. “Trying to empty my kitchen of food?”

  Jacob patted his belly. “Best way to find out the quality.” His expression changed from jovial to somber. “So what the hell is going on here?”

  Kat took a sip of her red wine, relishing the perfect dryness. “Exactly what it looks like. We’re getting rave reviews already in the media and it looks like a successful reopening when you cut the ribbon tomorrow.”

  Jacob eyed her. “Not what I was referring to and you know it.” He scowled. “Don’t play dumb; it doesn’t flatter you.”

  Kat ground her teeth together, forcing herself to stay calm. “You know the tabloids exaggerate everything.”

  “I do.” Jacob nodded. “They’re the bottom-feeders of the media. But pictures don’t lie and my contacts tell me it’s true. I want to hear it from you.” He drew a deep breath. “Are you . . . seei
ng both men?”

  “If you’re asking if I’m sleeping with both of them at the same time, then yes.”

  He shifted in his chair. “I’m not comfortable with that.”

  Kat steeled herself for the upcoming battle. “With all due respect, I don’t need your approval.”

  Jacob’s eyes met hers and she flinched inside. “With all due respect, yes. You damned well do. The press is having a field day with this.” Jacob grunted. “They’re focused on your relationship with the pair and now your kidnapping. They couldn’t care less about the Majestic.”

  “I beg to differ.” She took a sip of water to steady her nerves. “We’ve had glowing reviews and the invitation-only crowds haven’t stopped coming in. If you’ve checked the books you’ll see we also came in under budget. A small miracle, considering when I arrived it looked like we’d go deep into the hole without a chance at profit for at least a year.” Kat kept talking, propped up by the hard numbers. “Julien helped me make it happen with his local connections and his ability to cut through the bullshit and keep them honest. Cole did a fantastic job vetting the new staff and getting the casino security set up with full coverage.”

  Jacob eyed her. “The same coverage that allowed you to be kidnapped.”

  “They brought me back.” She held back the anger bubbling under the surface. “Cole and Julien are good men. And I love them.” Kat paused as the waiters approached with their meals.

  The silence lasted most of the meal until dessert when Jacob stuck his fork into a thick piece of cheesecake.

  “I promised you the Belle Dame in Vegas if you brought this complex up to par. You’ve done that, and more.” He pulled a strawberry out of the topping and dissected it into tiny pieces with his fork. “It’s yours. You can go in a month after I rotate out the staff there.”

  She stayed quiet, knowing he wasn’t finished.

  “Of course, it’d only be you. Cole and Julien . . .” Jacob ate a small bit of strawberry. “They’ll be dealt with.”

  “No.” Tears stung her eyes, but she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. “No,” she repeated.