Page 46 of Ruthless Financier
He opened the door to his huge house. I’d not seen much of it, including the entire second floor. I also had no idea where the kitchen was, not that was I hungry. The huge chandelier in the living room captured the moonlight that shone in from the ocean and created shadows on the wall until he flipped the light on. He said, “He’s never trusted women; and if he’s rude to you, don’t take it personally.”
I quickly grabbed my pocketbook and stuffed my phone in and then returned to the living room, standing at his side. I asked, “Did he ever remarry?”
We headed to the door and he held it for me. “He never did, no, but the house was always full of women practically my age when I moved in—and younger by the time I finished college.”
My nose wrinkled. “Gross.”
He clicked a key and a car in the garage beeped. We headed toward the sound as crickets sang in the night air. He said, “Yet with all that fucking, he never created another child.”
He pressed the button and the garage door opened. As we waited, I bumped into him and said, “Look, Jacob, I’m on your side. You can just never see him, if you want, and we can go retire to Italy and live like royalty.”
He walked me to my door and had his hand possessively on my lower back as he asked, “You’d disappear with me?”
He opened the door and I scooted in as I said, “You’re the first man I’ve ever actually wanted to see again. Running away with you, staying on the beach, with a bottle of wine, that might be heaven.”
He stood above my door and said, “Part of me wants the picture you paint.”
The same. If only I could forget the world—my fears—and just live.
In another life I’d be very happy as Mrs. Steel-Donovan. More than happy, if I was honest, but that was an impossible dream.
I used the mirror to paint on my face to make myself glow. I’d be a perfect-for-now wife, as that was what I was.
I just needed to remind myself this wasn’t forever.
Chapter 14
Jacob
The white house with dark glass windows meant that whoever was inside could see out from practically everywhere in their house, but whoever drove onto the estate couldn’t see in.
The lights outside belonged on a Broadway stage or a movie premiere, complete with the red carpet.
Every time I’d ever come to Florida, the art deco architecture and the palm trees reminded me of a retirement version of Hollywood.
The Robinsons kept that up in spades. I pressed my hand on Indigo’s lower back as we strolled up the driveway.
Other guests parked and followed behind us.
As we ascended the one step to the entrance, the door was open and our hosts were standing to greet us. I shook their hands and said, “Howard and Nora, thank you for inviting us.”
Indigo and Nora hugged and then Nora said to us, “Please go on outside and get a drink.”
I lifted my eyes at her husband while Indigo said, “This mansion is beautiful.”
More guests would come in a moment and I wanted business done. If my father was here, it could be too late. I asked, “Howard?”
He pointed to a side room and I kissed Indigo’s cheek and said, “Right, Indigo, go get a drink and I’ll meet you in a minute. Howard and I have to finish a deal.”
The host and I went inside for a quick contract to be signed and for his shares to be transferred to my name. This was the last deal I needed for my board takeover, and it happened without a syllable being spoken.
Everything was in place now to topple my father’s throne. We signed and he patted my back and headed back to his wife.
I pushed the envelope into my inside pocket and returned to Indigo, who stood with one leg out and her arms crossed. She dropped her arms as I joined her and pressed her hand on my hip as she asked quietly, “So did he sign?”
I patted my jacket over my heart, where the papers were, and reached behind her to hold her.
Indigo was a force in my life I’d never expected. I wasn’t sure how it had happened. I’d never expected to trust any woman, yet I’d confided my whole life story in her. I led her away from the hall as I said, “Yes. I have enough to force my father out.”
