by Karen Renee
“Yeah. If I’m not mistaken, she’s the one who convinced Dad to invest in Club Eclectic.”
I gave her a sideways glance. “Your dad’s invested in Pruitt’s club?”
She sighed. “Yeah. I didn’t even know until recently. It does not fit with the rest of his business investments, but I remember how thrilled Dad was when she took interest in the business. So, I don’t want to rain on that parade, you know?”
“I guess... I didn’t grow up in a house with married parents, but I get what you’re saying.”
She nodded. “Yeah, well, just between you and me... My gut is telling me Dad should’ve done more research before investing in Club Eclectic.”
“Why would you say that?”
She looked away and shrugged. “Just a hunch.”
I nudged her leg with my toe. “You can tell me anything, Daughtry. And I’m pretty sure you’re keeping something from me.”
She shook her head. “I’m not. It’s just a feeling, and business doesn’t get done based on feelings.”
“But your mom doesn’t actively work in your Dad’s business?”
She shook her head. “Why so curious, Gabe?”
To buy time, I shrugged, and forced myself to to think fast. “I don’t know. You seem ambitious, and I didn’t know how much of that was from your mother, or if it was all because of your father.”
She swallowed the last bite of her chicken and leaned over to scoop up some noodles. “It’s mainly Dad, though Sera has a little to do with it. She’s always been competitive with me even though there’s fifteen years between us. It’s truly bizarre. I mean, she gives me shit about not having a job because I’m getting my MBA. What is with that?”
I shook my head.
Then her eyes filled with alarm. “Oh, geez. You’re gonna have to meet her soon, Gabe.”
My brows furrowed. “Your sister? I thought she lives in Miami.”
“No. My mother. You met Dad, and he’ll share about you and me.”
I stared at the TV screen for a moment. “Well, since your dad and my dad are acquaintances, maybe we could rope Dad and Marnie into it too. Would that make it better?”
Her lips twisted as she thought about it. “Maybe. Actually, I think it would. Mother wouldn’t be too harsh on either of us if she were entertaining your father and his wife, too.”
I smiled at her. “Then we’ll make it happen that way, doll-face.”
Cassie
AFTER WE FINISHED LUNCH, Gabe taught me how to play Halo 5: Guardians and by the time Cecilia rolled in at seven-thirty, I couldn’t believe we’d wasted four hours playing that game. Not long after Cecilia arrived, Brock called Gabe and got everyone’s requests for Mexican.
When Brock brought the food in, he kept his and Cecilia’s dishes wrapped and the two of them went downstairs to eat by the pool.
I looked at Gabe across the table. “Was it something I said last time?”
Gabe grinned. “No, honey. He just wanted privacy. And he probably knew I was gonna make you a margarita. He’s more sensitive to Cecilia’s addictions than she is.”
I tilted my head. “Well, I didn’t have to have a margarita Gabe.”
He shook his head. “My woman’s getting a ‘rita with her tacos. Period. Besides, what it really is, is that he wanted to get her in her bikini, and not have any company.”
“Okay,” I said, then ate my beans and rice.
“So, do you think you’ll beat me at Halo anytime soon?”
My brows drew together. “I don’t know, Gabe. What I do know is that game is a massive time-suck! No way I can play that after tomorrow.”
“Why?” he asked finishing his burrito.
“The new semester begins Monday. I’m gonna be up to my eyeballs with classes and working at Club Eclectic.”
“Then we better make the most of tonight and tomorrow, Daughtry.”
SUNDAY MORNING CAME around too soon. More to the point, Gabe kept me up way too late, but in the best ways. I had no idea it was morning because of the blackout curtains. When my cell rang it lit up the room. I saw not only was my mother calling, but it was eight-fifteen.
Gabe groaned next to me and yanked my pillow toward his face.
“It’s my mother,” I hissed to him. “Hi, Mother,” I greeted her, trying to sound awake.
“Cassandra, were you sleeping?”
I sighed. “Yes.”
“Well, I can’t believe you haven’t answered your door. I’ve rung the bell twice and had to resort to pounding on the door.”
I sat bolt upright, taking the sheets with me, causing Gabe to groan again. “Mother, I’m not home.”
“Now, Cassandra. I saw your car in the lot. Your sister was right. You truly are due for an upgrade.”
“Gimme the sheets back, woman. It’s freezing in here.” Gabe grumbled loud enough I knew Mother heard him.
“He’s in your bed with you?” she asked.
I bit my lip, but steeled my resolve. “I’m at his place, Mother. He lives in the complex.”
She sighed. “Well, I suppose I should’ve called first.”
My eyes widened, and I bit back my snarky comment that it was far too late for that. I exhaled softly. “Is there a particular reason you dropped by, Mother?”
I heard the sound of her heels on the stairs before she finally spoke. “I was hoping to take you to Mass this morning and hear more about this young man, but clearly that won’t be happening. Indeed, I should’ve called first. Seems I’ve wasted a trip.”
There was a trip happening all right, a guilt-trip ticket for one, with my name on it. “No, Mother. I’ll be over there shortly,” I had to lean forward because Gabe reached to snatch the phone from me, “And I can be ready—”
“Cassandra, it’s nearly eight-thirty now. You won’t be ready until ten ‘til nine at best which would cause us to be late.”
“Mother, I can go to Mass without taking a shower.”
I heard her car bleeping and her door opening. “No. Really, Cassandra. Some other time. I do intend to meet this man you’re spending time with, though.”
“All right,” I said with a sigh. “I’m sorry you wasted a trip.”
“Yes, well. I guess we both learned something today. Try to get to the later Mass, Cassandra. Good-bye.”
“Bye,” I whispered.
I flopped back onto the bed, closing my eyes. The bed jostled, and I heard the distinctive whoosh-sound of the sheets being lifted up, then Gabe laid down next to me. The sheets softly fluttered down around our bodies.
“Guessing I didn’t make the best first impression on your mother, eh, baby?”
I sighed. “It wouldn’t have mattered. I made her waste a trip; I wasted her time. No matter who, how, or what it is, I am always the reason things are messed up.”
Gabe shifted so he was on top of me. “First of all, Cassie-Cass, you are never the reason things are messed up. I don’t care what she says. And second of all, the next time I’m tryin’ to get your phone from you, let me. I’d have damn well put her in her place.”
I stroked his cheek. “Gabe, you can’t fight my battles for me.”
“The hell I can’t. And the hell I won’t. You’re mine, Cassie. You said it yourself the other night. I might be your baby-daddy, so get used to it. Nobody’s gonna make you feel like shit. And damn sure not the two women who should have your back.”
His room was pitch dark, but I could feel his intensity roiling off his body. My phone, laying next to my shoulder, chimed and lit up with a notification and in the dimness I saw Gabe’s intensity.
The room went dark again, and I said, “I wish I could tell you I love you all over again for the first time.”
He shook his head, if the movement of the bed was anything to go by. “Explain, Daughtry.”
I fought smiling. “Gabe, if I hadn’t already admitted to loving you, that look on your face and those words damn sure would’ve done it.”
He tagged my phone and rolle
d to his side of the bed, putting the device face down on his nightstand. I sat up because my bladder begged me to visit the bathroom, but Gabe must have been used to the darkness of his room because he grabbed my waist like he could see me. He settled us both on our sides, his arm loose around my waist.
“You got two choices, Cassandra. We can go back to sleep... But we both know you’re not likely to do that, or you can restart my morning with that luscious mouth of yours.”
“Gabe, you’re about to piss me off. I’ve got to go to the bathroom first and foremost, and how can you say your morning needs to be restarted. You didn’t get a one-way guilt trip before having any coffee.”
“Are you lookin’ to fight with me? ’Cause, that angry sex at the Marriott kicked ass, Cassie, so I’m down for a redo, but seriously. That call from your mom was no way for either of us to wake up.”
I whipped the sheets off my body, and grabbed the first piece of clothing I found on the floor. Luckily it was Gabe’s shirt, and I threw it on so I could use the bathroom in the hall. Since Brock and Cecilia had the master suite, it was unlikely they would see me, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
After I took care of business and brushed my teeth, Gabe was leaned against the wall outside the bathroom, and he pushed inside when I cleared the small room.
I curled into a ball on the bed, and debated getting dressed to go home. Maybe my mother was right. I should make it to the later Mass because I hadn’t been a good Catholic girl lately.
Gabe stood in his doorway for a while before he closed the door it. Then he molded his body around my back and forced an arm under me so he could hold me.
“You aren’t pissed at me, are you, sweetheart?”
After a moment, I realized I wasn’t. “No, Gabe. I’m just pissed in general.”
“So pissed you won’t be able to go back to sleep? Or so pissed you want to take it out on me?”
I wanted to cry from talking to my mother, but I wanted to laugh at Gabe, and in the end neither reaction won out. “You have a one-track mind after all, don’t you?”
“Baby, you’re hot as hell. I don’t tell you that enough, but there’s no way I can sleep next to your fine ass and not wake up ready to get busy.”
A half-smile pulled at my lips. “That’s sweet of you.”
He chuckled. “The things I got in mind for us, are anything but sweet, Cassandra.”
My silence stretched and Gabe filled it. “You never know, doll-face. Might work your anger and stress right out of you.”
I tried to turn toward him, but he held firm. “Gabe, I was going to kiss you.”
His hand came up to my chin and he turned my head to the side. Then his lips took mine in a fierce kiss.
He pulled away. “Time to restart our morning, baby.”
27
Don’t Assume the Worst
Gabe
MONDAY, CASSIE HAD classes and I had one early morning class. When that was finished I just barely made it to an appointment with a lawyer. He was an old friend of Dad’s and I had called him when the idea of investing the money had first occurred to me. While I sat in traffic on the way to his office, I spoke to Ryan’s assistant and she said the only appointment he had available was at the close of business. Something in her tone told me she hoped I wouldn’t take the appointment, but I was determined.
Nearly an hour later, I left the law firm with a legally binding partnership agreement, if I could convince Pruitt to the terms. From what I overheard, my money would surely get his attention, but he might balk at me making decisions for the club.
I shoved those thoughts aside as I drove to a small cafe. Pauline agreed to wire the money, as long as I met her for lunch. After I parked my truck, I saw her standing outside the restaurant. She wore a chocolate brown suit with a tight skirt and a huge gold necklace.
“Gabe. It’s nice to see you again,” she said as I approached.
I smiled. “Good to see you again. This isn’t far from your office, have you been here before?”
She nodded as we entered the cafe. “Yes. They have the best patty melt in town.”
Customers seated themselves, and as I followed her to a table, my stomach rumbled. “I love a good patty melt.”
After we were seated, she said, “I know. That’s why I suggested this place.”
I nodded, but fell silent.
She shot me a wan smile. “Your father shared more than just events and what was going on with you three. Even though I wasn’t around, seems my tastes rubbed off anyway.”
“I guess they did,” I murmured.
When we had our drinks, she asked, “What are your plans for the money? Your text said you had a meeting with a lawyer.”
I had kept my plans on the down-low, but since I would meet with Ryan later, I figured telling Pauline wouldn’t hurt. “Yeah. I’m planning to invest in a nightclub I work at every so often. I know the owner’s having a tough time of it, and I have some ideas to help him improve.”
She didn’t say anything and her expression was unreadable. The silence irked me.
“You have nothing to say to that?”
“I am glad to hear you met with a lawyer, though, I wish you’d have consulted—”
“J.P. Daughtry is the silent investor in this club. Call me crazy, but I think he has pretty decent business judgment.”
Her grin seemed wry. “Yes, well. That doesn’t change the fact two hundred and fifty—”
“Not investing all of it. Sorry I keep interrupting, but really, I’m keeping some aside for me.”
She nodded. “That does make me feel better. So do you meet with Mr. Daughtry soon?”
I shook my head. “Since Daughtry’s only involved as a silent partner, I’m meeting with the owner-operator this afternoon.”
Our patty melts arrived before she could ask more questions. I took a bite, and my eyes widened. She was right. This had to be the best in town. I figured as simple as patty melts were, they were all the same, but apparently not. No doubt, I’d have to bring Cassie here for lunch.
Pauline moved to idle chit-chat with me as we ate our sandwiches.
While we waited on the server to return Pauline’s credit card, she said, “How about you drive me to bank? It’s about a mile from here, and that should give me time to read over the contract, if that’s all right with you?”
I nodded, “Sounds like a plan.”
Cassie
AS MONDAYS WENT, THIS one took the cake. Every one of my classes ran long, and I was ten minutes late getting into work because of traffic.
Ryan didn’t say anything outright, but he had quite the passive-aggressive side. His reluctance to approve my modified schedule for the fall term didn’t help matters. I didn’t blame him, but I had warned him when I interviewed. Then again, he’d likely argue he had no choice in hiring me because of my father. Still, that was no reason to be passive-aggressive.
I had finished up my work for today, and I headed to his office before hitting the road. The door to his inner-sanctum was open, and I walked in not realizing he had someone with him.
Yet I heard what the visitor said. “I have two hundred grand at my disposal and I’m willing to invest it in Club Eclectic. However, I need to protect myself and I had my lawyer put this together.”
I watched Ryan pick up a legal document, but I could see there was a smaller document on top that looked like a cashier’s check. Ryan’s gaze lifted when he noticed my presence and the dark-haired visitor turned to me. Gabe stared at me, and keeping my mouth shut took all of my focus.
I had the worst habit of wearing my thoughts on my face. Which meant, I knew dismay was written all over my face, but I prayed I turned away quickly enough that only Gabe saw it. I couldn’t believe he never mentioned his investment plans. Then again, I hadn’t asked. We had been too busy boinking each other’s brains out.
I didn’t have enough proof about Ryan laundering money, but something sketchy was going on. Gabe couldn’t hand over t
wo hundred grand to him. That was crazy. Not to mention stupid as all hell.
I slumped into my chair getting my wits about me.
Just when I thought Gabe wouldn’t follow me to my office, he knocked on the doorjamb. “Can I come in?”
I shrugged.
He closed the door before he settled in a chair across the desk from me. “What was with the look, Cassie?”
“Have you already given him your money?”
His head shifted so he was looking at me from the corner of his eye. “What’s it matter?”
I asked again, “Did you give him any money?”
“Tell me why it matters, Cassandra.”
I couldn’t tell him what I suspected because until I heard back from the radio stations, it was speculation. Plus, my father had insisted I keep it to myself. And I knew enough about Gabe and his hot-headed temper that if I mentioned it, he’d fly off the handle and either deny my suspicions or run to Ryan to find out if it was true.
“It’s not a good idea,” I hedged.
His face went stony and those playful eyes turned cold. “Because you say so, is that it?”
“I didn’t say that at all, Gabe. Please, I’m just trying to—”
“Control me is what you’re trying to do,” he said standing up.
I stood. “No! I can’t talk about it, but investing in this club isn’t a good idea.”
“How would you know? Your daddy’s the one who makes the money in your family. Hell, it’s your daddy who’s the silent partner. If it’s good enough for him, and good enough to have you working here, why the fuck isn’t it good enough for me to buy out your father’s part of the investment?”
Dammit!
“If that’s what Ryan told you, you’re wrong.”
Gabe leaned toward me. “Showed me the bank statements and everything, darlin’. So, I’m not so sure you know what you’re talking about since you’re the bookkeeper. And that isn’t part of your job.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m also the silent investor’s daughter, and I know he didn’t buy-in for a paltry two-hundred K. Ryan has more than that to pay back, so maybe, just maybe, Sullivan, you should double-check yourself by going to Mr. Daughtry. And before you interrupted me, I was going to say I’m trying to protect you.”
