Page 75 of The Dom

“If you’re not off my property in two minutes, I will call the police and file trespassing charges.”

“I’m more than happy to pay any legal fees, Roberta,” Finley said mildly.

“Thank you, Finley.”

Granny opened her mouth, and I pointed at her. “One word, and I’ll call in favors from every cop, prosecutor, and judge I know to make sure whatever you’re charged with is listed as a hate crime.”

As soon as the door closed behind them, I went to the window to make sure they left and didn’t damage anything on their way out. They seemed like the sort of petty people who’d key a car or throw a brick in retaliation for anything they didn’t like.

“I am so sorry about that,” Roberta said behind me. “My parents and I hadn’t spoken for years, and they suddenly showed up here out of the blue, talking about how they wanted to get to know Ashlee, and I thought maybe they really wanted to make things right. I–”

“It’s all right,” Finley interrupted gently. “It’s not your fault.”

“He’s right, Mom. I know we both wanted something good to come out of this, but I think they just proved that they were only here for themselves.”

Only once their car disappeared from view did I turn back to the others. “Ashlee’s right. Finley and I both have dealt with enough people over the years who wanted money from us in some way to be able to recognize the lead up to a pitch.”

“I would’ve given them ten more minutes, tops, before they were asking us to invest in some venture or help them out with some debt,” Finley added.

“I should’ve known better.” Roberta sat down in her chair and picked up her half-full glass of wine. “Been a little more thorough in finding out exactly why they were here. It’s not like they’re criminal masterminds.”

“There are always going to be greedy, vindictive people, no matter how well you screen them.” I glanced at Finley. “Just last week, a former employee tried to blackmail me.”

“What? Who?” Ashlee shook her head. “Never mind. I think I know.”

I nodded. “Flora Watts threatened to go to the media with a story saying that your promotion was because we’re together.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Finley asked.

“I took care of it,” I said. “I paid her what she asked and told her if she came back for more, I’d get lawyers involved.”

“I never should have come to Manhattan Records.” Ashlee traced the patterns in the wood grain with her finger. “I’ve brought nothing but problems.”

“Nonsense.” Finley reached over and patted her hand. “Every business has its problems, and we’re no different. People who are going to scheme and try to take advantage will do it no matter what. Flora would’ve found something else to fixate on.”

I crossed over to her and bent down to kiss the top of her head. “Besides, if you hadn’t come to work for us, neither Finley nor I would’ve ever met you, and that would have been the worst thing that could’ve happened.”

She smiled up at me, her eyes shining, and I wouldn’t have traded that image for anything in the world.

“I’m going to reach out to Jailene tomorrow,” Finley said, drawing our attention back to him. “Hopefully, nothing else comes of either Flora or those three, but I think we need to have a legal strategy in place just in case.”

“Unfortunately, I agree,” I said with a sigh.

“It’ll be all right,” Finley said. “I’m going to take care of this.”

“You always do.” I gave him a small nod. “And I know I don’t say how much I appreciate it.”

He looked up at me, his usual good humor returning as he said, “I hate to have to break it to you, Nate, but this time, I’m doing it to take care of my daughter. You’re only included because you’re a package deal.”

I laughed, the weight on my chest lifting. “You’re a good man, Finley. A better one than me, that’s for sure. Always have been.”

“And you’ve always sold yourself far too short,” he said.

The expression on Ashlee’s face said that she believed the same. I’d spent so many years thinking that all I would ever do was disappoint people, and even when I had something I thought of as good, like a successful business, I doubted its worth.

For the first time in a long time, I had hope that I could one day be the man I always should have been. The man Finley and Ashlee saw.

Forty-Six

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