“She doesn’t know how lucky she is to have you.”
I kiss the top of his head. “Soon.”
My visit with my mom wasn’t much different than the last one. We fed the ducks and talked about how she was feeling. I tried to tell her how great my week was, but she isn’t interested.
I head back into town and call CeCe on my drive.
She answers with a smile in her voice. “How did it go with your knight in shining armor?”
“You mean the hour I spent with him last night in the hospital?”
“What?”
“Princess Genevieve was coming to break him out of jail today, so I visited Eve, and now I’m headed home.”
“I’m sorry. He’s lucky he has someone who understands as well as you do.”
“He knows that.”
“Have you seen today’s Chronicle?”
My stomach drops and I hold the steering wheel tight. I was hoping the issue with the press was behind us. “No, why? Did someone do an ugly piece on SHN?”
“Nope. Our good friend Mark made a giant gaffe with his biggest donor, and it was recorded and is playing on TubeIt with almost a million downloads as of about an hour ago.”
Now I’ll need to look out for the backlash coming at my mom and me. “What did you do, CeCe?”
“Me? What would make you think I did anything?” She plays innocent, but I can hear she’s being facetious.
“Because I know you.”
I pull over and evaluate what my next steps should be as she goes on. “It’s a recording of Mark spewing a lot of hate speech about the blacks who live in low-income housing. I might’ve had someone recording everything he says and does, waiting for a gaffe I could upload to TubeIt, but I didn’t bait him into saying anything. I just knew he’d say something on his own. His political career is over. His campaign manager quit this morning, and he’s lost most of his endorsements.”
Jeff Jenson, his biggest donor, may be an old Southern boy, but his son is gay and has a black partner, and together they’ve several adopted interracial children. San Francisco is a very progressive city, and they don’t tolerate bigotry. “You’re part evil, you know.”
“Only when someone goes after my posse.”
“How about brunch tomorrow and some shopping? I could use some retail therapy after this week.”
“Great. I’m in. Have a good night, sweetie.”
“You, too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Andy
I wake to the phone ringing. My head’s still killing me, particularly when I’m tired—which comes regularly and easily. Genevieve is here as often as she can and is trying to nurse me. I talk to Greer almost every night. It shouldn’t be this hard to have a relationship with someone who only lives an hour and a half away, but we’re determined to make it work.
Glancing at the caller ID, I answer the phone knowing it’s Melanie. “Buongiorno.” My voice cracks from just having woken up.
“Andreas, I’m sorry I woke you.”
Yawning, I say, “It’s okay. I think Genevieve is still sleeping.”
“I called to talk to you.” I sit up in bed, not sure I’m ready to hear what she has to tell me. “Tomas and I are getting married next month in a small ceremony at the capitol. The governor has time in his schedule and is going to do it for us.”
This has so many implications for us, and not all good. I haven’t paid spousal support in years, and I happily pay my child support, so it doesn’t affect me financially, but Genevieve is going to be very upset. She doesn’t like Tomas. I’m confident it’s because he takes time away from her mother’s attention. I’ve met Tomas on many occasions; he dotes on both the girls and is good to them. “Congratulations. I’m very happy for you.”
“You know Genny is going to have a tough time with this news.”
“She’ll be happy for you.”
“Maybe one day. She’s so worried about having younger brothers and sisters and being lost.”
I’m a little thrown by the comment. Melanie was never sure she wanted to have kids, and I know when she got pregnant she struggled with the idea of being a mom. Sure, we were young, but she never was excited about kids. “She likes Tomas.”
“She likes him personally but doesn’t like what he represents.”
“What do you mean?”
“That you and I are no longer—”
“We’ve always told her that we wouldn’t be getting back together.”
“I know.” Quietly she adds, “I just wish she could be as happy for this as I am.”
“She is. She just doesn’t know it.”
“What do we do if she decides she wants to come live with you?”
“I’m certainly fine with that, but I can’t see her wanting to be away from you for very long.” My life may turn upside down with this news if Genevieve decides to move in with me, but my goal is to help use it for Greer. “When are you going to tell her?”
“Soon. She tells me you have a girlfriend?”
I’m not surprised she knows, but I’m not fully prepared to discuss Greer with Melanie. “She lives in The City, and Genevieve’s struggling with the idea of sharing me, so I understand where you’re coming from.”
“So much is changing for her.”
“Melanie, in life, things are always changing. She’ll adjust. We’ll be there for her, and the change gives her examples of what loving relationships are supposed to be.”
“I know you’re right, but she’s so hormonal already. I’m not ready for the teen years.”
“I can hear her in the kitchen. Do you want to talk to her?” I ask.
“No, we’ll probably tell her this afternoon.”
“See you then. I won’t say anything.”
I get up from the bed and wander into the kitchen. “Buongiorno.” I look around the kitchen and notice she’s started the latte machine. “A little young for coffee.”
She hands me a steaming cup of frothy latte and a saucer. “I made it for you.”
It smells divine, and with a perfect mix of warm and frothy milk. I take a lengthy sip. “Ahh, your mother has taught you well.”
She comes in and gives me a big hug. I miss the days of unconditional love. These days I sometimes get it, but the rest of the time it’s judgmental love. “What do you want to do today? Your mom should be here in a few hours.”
“How about we go downtown for lunch and walk around?”
“Sounds like a great idea.”
We get our things together and head downtown, though I’m distracted by my thoughts of Greer and my problems at the vineyard. The police are involved and investigating. This has been happening with several other vineyards in the area, so they’re asking a lot of questions that I don’t have answers for. I’m still puzzled why they broke in and destroyed the barrels. I need to ask Michael if he was successful in putting the trackers on each one. We’d scheduled a time to talk the day of the break-in, but it didn’t happen.
I watch the people wandering the shops like they don’t have any place to be. The weather is like a kiss of sunshine without the fiery heat of summer in August. The grass is a soft green with a hint of indigo, and in the sky is a perfect shade of blue accentuated by just enough pristine white clouds. The concrete of the sidewalk must be warm under Genevieve’s bare feet; she removed her sandals and is enjoying walking downtown.
I close my eyes so I can focus on the sounds around me. I hear a blackbird song and wonder how anyone could not say that was music. Opening my eyes, I let the light flood back in, bringing the late February day right back into focus.
We pick up a few sandwiches from the deli and sit cross-legged on the well-manicured lawn, enjoying the last few minutes of our time alone. I know Genevieve is going to be upset when her mother tells her about the wedding, and I want to cushion the blow, but it really isn’t my news to tell news. It breaks my heart that my daughter’s struggling with the changes in her life. I only wish I could tell her
that things are going to be all right and have her believe me.
Melanie and Tomas approach, joining us on the grass, and we stare into the final days of perfect weather before the unforgiving heat descends upon us.
Genevieve eyes her mother and Tomas carefully. “Why did you bring him?”
Tomas squeezes Melanie’s hand, and she explains, “Sweetheart, Tomas and I are really excited. Next month, the governor is going to marry us.”
“What? No!” Genevieve screams. She stands and runs away.
Melanie follows her, and I watch them exchange terse words. Tomas is as uncomfortable as I’ve ever seen him. “I’m very happy for you both,” I tell him, trying to break some of the tension.
“Thanks. We’re really excited, and we’ve known this wasn’t going to go over well with Genny.”
“She’ll adjust. She had words with my girlfriend, who means a lot to me. I’m hoping she can realize that her mom and I are better apart than together.”
We watch them approach. Genevieve’s eyes are swollen red from crying. I stand and give her a hug. “Cucciola, it only means you have more people who love you.” Turning to Melanie and Tomas, I ask, “May I talk to her for a moment?”
Melanie nods with tears pooling in her eyes as Tomas leads her a little farther away.
I pull Genevieve in for a hug and stroke her hair. Just out of earshot, I tell her, “Tomas loves your mom more than anything. If you wanted him to leave, he would, but you know they would both be heartbroken. Please don’t make your mother choose between you and Tomas. I promise you’ll win, but at what cost?”
“I just want us to be a family again.”
“I know, mia piccola cucciola, but that isn’t going to happen. We don’t love each other anymore. Your mom and I love you more than anything, but we’re only friends. That’s all we can be.”
I pull her into a tight hug, and she cries, “What if they have babies?”
“Then you’ll have even more people to love you.”
I let her get her tears out, and then her mother approaches.
“Are you ready to go home?”
Genevieve nods, and I kiss the top of the head. “Congratulate Tomas and your mom when you can. They’re very excited.”
I watch them leave. My heart aches for Genevieve, but she’ll learn this is a good thing.
My mind wanders to Greer.
I need her. Of course, I love her—that’s a given—but it’s more than that. I respect her and want her and lean on her. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed having someone to talk about my day, and to spoon at night. I miss all the little quiet moments that slip by almost unnoticed but are just as much magical as the big, dramatic ones with her.
My life has felt three-dimensional since I met Greer, and the funny part is I hadn’t even noticed it was flat before. And it’s clear to me that I always want her in my life. Sure, there could be other women, but it’s Greer I love and really want to be with. Anyone else would be second-best.
After that realization, I go into planning mode. I can’t wait to show her how important she is to me. I know I can make her as happy as she has me. How to convince her of that may be my problem. I know she worries about her mother, but Eve is who she is. She met my crazy family and still seems to like me. Not to mention my daughter’s been a total bitch to her, and she’s taken it in stride and still come back.
I run through a list of everything from hiring the high school marching band to getting an aerial banner, but I know the grand gestures alone aren’t going to change Greer’s mind. She was hurt by her ex because her mother is imperfect, and she needs to know I accept her and anyone in her life—same as she’s done for me. I’ll show her how much she means to me.
I start making a plan to become that guy, and just in case it would help my cause, I’ll work on a grand gesture to let her know.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Greer
Our Monday morning partners meeting has grown, having added a new partner in emerging markets. Christopher seems like a great guy. I give him props for sticking with us, as he came on the week all hell broke loose. Gotta love perseverance in the eye of a storm.
I watch him flirt and flatter his way through most of the women. He’s good with them and has them eating out of his hand in no time. He’s not my idea of handsome, but it’s clear what women might see in him. He’s definitely a ladies’ man.
“Dillon, how are our investments looking?” Mason asks.
“With a few exceptions, most are doing extremely well. We have an offer to buy Prophecy Software. They don’t want the team, but they’ll take the technology.”
“Speaking of Prophecy, they have one of the strongest technology teams in our portfolio. Mason, would you be willing to sit down with the them and work on a business plan for a new company? If the buyer is going to throw them away, I believe we should finance their next adventure. I’d be shocked if they didn’t have something they’re working on outside of the company, particularly if they see the writing on the wall,” Cameron says.
“I’ll call as soon as we’re done.” Turning to me, Mason asks, “And how are the news wires holding up?”
“They’re good. It seems the technology and business press has moved on to the next shiny object.”
“Jim, you’re next on the agenda.”
Jim passes around a package of paper. “In your packets, you’ll see what my team observed. We identified a mole at Perkins Klein. Her name was Heather Martindale. She was in their accounting department, and she was feeding our information and PK’s information to Benchmark.”
“Fuuuck,” Cameron exclaims.
“They had a mole, too? This is serious shit,” Dillon agrees.
“We believe our mole sent the insider information on Netronix and SillySally we planted, and a separate person who may or may not be a mole fed the press the information on all of you.”
Mason him looks over carefully. “So you know who it is?”
“We believe so, yes.”
“And?”
“With Sara’s help, we identified her legal secretary, Elizabeth Monroe.”
Every eye in the room turns to Sara, and it doesn’t seem that I’m the only one who’s shocked. I fully expected it to be Annabel.
“There was a small piece of information that got out that I was pretty sure only Mason and I knew until I realized Elizabeth would know as well,” Sara explains. “She sees all the contract details and enters the Ts and Cs in our system. So I mentioned it to Jim, and we set a trap for her.”
“She never was very friendly,” Cynthia volunteers.
Emerson interjects, “But she’s fairly new. The espionage started before she joined the company.”
“That’s true. We found the handheld device and phone she was using to pass the information along, and we were able to grab the information she was sharing. Elizabeth was arrested this morning. Her initial statements seem to be that she doesn’t exactly know who’s behind everything, but she was paid well in a Cayman Island account. This information is what’s going to help us find who’s behind all this espionage. Currently, all signs point to various people who are feeding the information to our competitors and sources, but right now we can’t figure out who’s behind it all.”
Annabel is still on my list.
Multiple conversations erupt at once. I’m stunned that Elizabeth was behind at least the release about me. Just above a whisper, I say, “But how did she know about my mother? And all the things about the three of you.”
Mason nods vigorously. We all concur there’s more to this, and Jim assures us that he understands, stressing, “There’s most likely one person behind this, and they’re using multiple people at all of our companies.”
Mason ends the meeting, saying, “Jim, thank you and your team for pursuing this. And I want to really thank Greer for putting herself on the line and personally getting singed.”
We talk for a short time and then break. I go back to my office.
We have three companies going public with highly technical concepts, and I need to translate it to Wall Street so they have successful initial public offerings.
Every time I read the technology briefs from Cameron, I start to think about Andreas. He’s been extra attentive as of late. We talked at length about his ex-wife remarrying, and I know Genevieve is struggling.
I remember when my father remarried. It was soon after he left my mother, and I wasn’t invited. He went on a business trip to Paris with his assistant and came home married. They presented me with an emerald tennis bracelet and told me. Immediately she was competing with me for my father’s attention, and I always felt like I was in the way. I remember overhearing them talk about sending me to boarding school, and I was devastated. Not only could I not leave my mother, who couldn’t get out of bed because her depression was so bad, but they were ready to just hide me away. They were married for three years, and then my father married his next assistant.
I want to help Genevieve with this adjustment, and I hope this weekend will be a fun way to get her out of her shell. There’s a music festival we plan to take her to, and Andy assures me that she knows I’m coming. I’m ready to have some fun and enjoy some time with them both.
When I arrive at the vineyard, I watch Sophia arguing with someone in Italian on the phone. She doesn’t hear me walk in, so I quietly take my place in a corner and play with my phone. I have no idea what she’s saying other than the word “vino,” so I’m sure she’s talking about vineyard business.
She waves when she sees me and stops her conversation abruptly, whispering something unidentifiable into the phone before hanging up and turning to me. “Greer, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“No, you’re fine. I’ve been arguing with my family again. They’re upset with Andreas and me, and want us to leave and have one of our older brothers run the vineyard.”
“Oh no, that’s awful. Can they do that?”
Temptation (Billionaire Venture Capitalist #4): A Second Chance Billionaire Romance Page 19