Indulge

by E. B. Walters

  “You never asked for my blessing before you asked my daughter to marry you. What if I say you can’t have it?”

  Annoyance flashed through Lex. The man was deliberately making him jump through hoops. But as annoying as Finnegan was, he was Jillian’s father and Lex had to put up with him.

  “Then I’ll marry her tomorrow without it, because I can’t live without her. I won’t.”

  Finnegan studied Lex intently and then slapped him on the back. “That’s all I wanted to hear, son. Speaking of those who want to hurt her, have you found the people responsible for the venom?” His glance went to Douglas, who was talking to Mrs. Petrosian’s assistant.

  “Not yet,” Lex said. “Now that Douglas is back on his feet, he’s back on the case.”

  Finnegan glanced at the Petrosians. “You think one of them was behind it?”

  “That’s a possibility. Or we could be dealing with a different enemy.”

  “Yours or New York?”

  “Douglas already checked into the death of Jillian’s father, but the case was never considered a homicide. They’d ruled it as an accident and closed it years ago, so yes, this is likely one of mine.”

  Finnegan nodded. “I like your honesty, so I’ll be honest too. If anything happens to my little girl because of you, I will come for your head, Fitzgerald,” he warned.

  “I expect nothing less, sir.”

  “Good.” He shook Lex’s hand.

  Lex stayed by his side and watched the two families mingle. “How’s retirement, sir?”

  Finnegan didn’t answer right away. “We always thought we’d have lots of things to keep us busy when we retire. Rowan wanted to take up golf. He works at an auto body shop and is driving his wife crazy.”

  The man was deflecting. “What about you, sir?”

  “With the New York threat out of the picture and your man on the job, I should just buy myself a boat and take off into the sunset like an Eskimo.”

  Lex chuckled. That was ancient tradition that was no longer practiced by the Inuits. But even then they’d only done it during famine. “I was hoping you’d help me with something if you’re not too busy.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I own a resort in St. Martin that is undergoing extensive renovation. In a month’s time, we will open for business. Like most places on the island, the main building has a casino and a large theater for live performances. The manager tells me he needs to hire someone to be in charge of entertainment.” Actually, Hank Beaumont, head of the Caribbean office of Fitz-Valdez, hadn’t started searching yet. “The theater was previously used by acrobats, aerial, and bike stunt artists. The Director of Entertainment will be in charge of booking shows. This is a salaried position.”

  Lex had Finnegan’s full attention.

  “I’m also looking for an in-residence attraction that will be featured several times a week. This could be a bike stunt show.” He was laying it on thick, but he didn’t want the old man to have a doubt of what he was offering. “The show can always expand to include other performances.”

  “Like the circus?”

  “No. No animals and no clowns.” Lex shuddered. “Aerial. Dance. More like Cirque du Soleil. The Director of Entertainment will decide what should be included in the acts.” Lex paused and sipped his drink. “There will be a housing stipend for the key personnel.” Lex watched the man’s expression. He could almost taste his excitement. “So if you happen to know a small company that would be interested in a deal like that, I’d really appreciate an introduction.” He pulled out his card and handed it to Finnegan. “In the meantime, I have a dilemma on my hands.”

  Lex talked about the possibility of the Fearless Finnegan Troupe and the Bay Area Circus performing on Armed Forces Day and having a private show for his business associates before the main attraction.

  “When?” Finnegan asked.

  “Next week on Friday. We can book the Staples Center and find sponsors. All we need you to do is come prepared.” Lex waited. He saw the interest in the man’s eyes and the struggle to do the right thing.

  “Cian has contacts in the military. If you can get a venue…” He whistled. “We’ve never performed at the Staple Center. But with the publicity we’ve been having, we can do it. We haven’t sold our rigs yet. Rowan told me to hold on to them for a little bit. He’s not going to believe this. The boys would love…” The light dimmed in Finnegan’s eyes. “I’ll ask them,” he said, speaking slowly as though already formulating a plan.

  “Let me know as soon as you can. My secretary can start making arrangements. Also, think about my other offer. St. Martin is not a bad place for retirement, and employees get to use the golf course for free.”

  Finnegan still frowned, but he smiled when Jillian came to join them. “Come on, you two. Lunch is about to be served and you’re still talking.” Her eyes volleyed between them. “You can finish your conversation later.”

  Jillian took each of their arms and guided them to a table. As soon as she let her father go, he went to join his brother Rowan and waved over Jillian’s older brother. Throughout lunch, Lex kept an eye on them. He’d expected them to pull Jillian aside and tell her what was going on, but despite glancing at their table several times, they didn’t.

  ~*~

  After lunch, Lex escorted Jillian and her grandmother upstairs to her suite to collect an old box, then to the penthouse. The others joined them, and the noise level shot up. Lex went to find Jillian and found her in the bathroom.

  “We’re never sending our children to visit your grandmother.”

  Jillian looked up from zipping up her toiletries bag. “Why?”

  “She doesn’t like kids. You should have seen her face when Sophia started acting up.” One medium suitcase was on the bed and a smaller one was on the floor. “Two suitcases?”

  “And a hat box. I’m packing for our honeymoon in a cold and a warm place since you didn’t tell me where we are going.”

  “We’re going somewhere warm.”

  “Good. How did it go with my father?” Jillian asked.

  “He said he’d think about it.”

  She groaned. “What’s there to think about?”

  “He wants to check with your brothers and Uncle Rowan.” Annoyance flashed in her eyes. “No, stay out of this, Jillian. Do not call your father.”

  She gave him an innocent smile. “Now why would you think I’d do that?”

  He tapped her nose. “I know that look in your eyes. You asked me to convince him, so let me do things my way.” She nodded, but he didn’t believe her. She was chewing on her lower lip, and she wore a calculating expression.

  “I don’t understand,” she finally said. “Elena said they were bored and unhappy. Ricky’s online comments are practically a cry for help. Don’t get me wrong. He loves to work at Leeds, but”—she shook her head—“I know my brother. He misses the troupe. They haven’t sold the rigs yet, so it’s just a matter of telling Ross that they want to do a gig together.”

  Lex had a feeling they might be discussing his other offer too, but he was not discussing St. Martin with Jillian until it was a done deal. “Are you sure you still don’t want to know where we’re going for our honeymoon?”

  She threw him a disgusted look. “Changing subjects on me doesn’t make this discussion go away. And no, I don’t want to know.” She dragged the suitcase off the bed.

  “Whoa. Leave that alone.” He took the suitcase from her and hefted it. “What are you carrying in here? Your entire wardrobe?”

  “Never ask a woman what she’s packed, sweetie.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Have fun tonight, because tomorrow…”

  “You’ll be my wife.” He stroked her cheek.

  “And once we exchange vows, you are mine to do with as I please.” She grinned and wiggled her brows. “Wherever and whenever.”

  Just like that, nothing else mattered but capturing her smile. He lowered his head
and laid siege on her mouth, savoring her sweetness. When he lifted his head, her face was flushed. “You became mine the moment you left that trailer and feigned interest in my bike. The ring is just a formality.”

  “It wasn’t feigned. Your bike is beautiful.” She slipped out of his arms and blew him a kiss as she started for the door. “You were just the hot guy riding it.”

  “I’ll take hot over beautiful any day.” He caught up with her before she opened the door. “Douglas and Troy will drive you to the mansion. If you need anything while there, let them know. If you need to talk to me, I’m a phone call away.” He lowered his head to steal another kiss just as his phone went off.

  He ignored it, but not Jillian. She reached behind him and plucked the phone from its holder. She lifted it to see the caller while still kissing him. Amused by her antics, he grabbed the phone from her hand and scowled at the name on the screen.

  “I must be losing my touch if you can kiss me and answer the phone,” he growled.

  Jillian grinned. “I’d hoped it was my impossible father.”

  “I told you to stay out of my business, woman,” Lex warned, smacking her ass as she opened the door. She blew him a kiss and left the room with the smaller suitcase. He brought the phone to his ear. “What’s happening, Paula?”

  “Your future father-in-law is here.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Lex escorted Jillian downstairs, waited until the Jaguar left the parking lot, then headed to the office. “Is Finnegan alone?”

  “No, he is with his son and brother.”

  Lex thanked her and pushed open the door. Finnegan was by the window admiring the view. His son Cian sat on the edge of his seat, while his brother Rowan was sniffing one of the Cuban cigars Lex kept in his office for his guests. He put it back when he realized they were not alone.

  “Help yourself,” Lex said.

  Rowan grinned. “Don’t mind if I do,” he said and took one. “Thank you.”

  “Nice view you have up here, Fitzgerald,” Daniel Finnegan said, turning to face him. “Has Jillian seen it?”

  “She has.” He closed the door behind him.

  “Did she ask if she could walk from your building to that one over there on a tightrope?” He pointed at a building across the street, and Lex felt a little ill. The old man grinned at Lex’s reaction.

  “Dad,” Cian warned while his uncle chuckled gleefully.

  “Stop messing with the boy’s head, Danny. Sit down, son, before you keel over,” Rowan urged Lex, pointing at the chair behind the desk. “We have business to discuss.”

  “She gave me plenty of gray hairs, and now it is his turn,” Daniel said, slapping Lex on the back on his way to his seat. “He said he would support all her crazy ideas, and I thought that was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “Do you remember the first time she saw Jonas do the tightrope and she decided she could do it, too?” Rowan asked, then he and Finnegan burst out laughing.

  Lex didn’t find anything funny about Jillian on a damn tightrope. Worse, they continued with more anecdotes, the next ones even less funny. The more they talked, the more Lex realized he was about to be saddled with the in-laws from hell. They were enjoying watching him squirm, and the more he did, the more outrageous their stories became. Cian shot Lex a pained look and shrugged.

  “It wasn’t funny at the time because she was only twelve and the bike was too big for her. I almost crapped in my pants watching her ride it,” Finnegan continued.

  “She almost broke her neck that time,” his brother said, and both men became quiet as though reliving the moment.

  “I was going to ground her, but the look on her face stopped me,” Finnegan said slowly. “She was so proud of herself. I was proud of her. Scared and angry, but proud. She was finally a Finnegan.”

  “That’s what she told Cian when he scolded her,” Rowan mumbled. “If you give our Jillian the freedom to do as she pleases, she will send you to an early grave.”

  “She was seventeen when she started free running with a bunch of kids in the neighborhood.” Finnegan glanced at Lex. “That was it for me. So I sent her off to Hollywood to Chris where it’s all smoke and mirrors. She was unhappy with my decision, but I couldn’t let her do that free running nonsense.”

  “Free running?” Lex asked.

  “Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, doing flips on ledges to the ground, running and climbing walls…” Finnegan shook his head. “If she suggested this idea about the Fearless Finnegans working on your island resort just so she can get back on the stage, I have to say no to your proposal, Fitzgerald.”

  “She doesn’t know about my offer.” He studied the three men. “I don’t do family members favors,” he lied smoothly. “This is a business proposition. If you choose to accept my offer, you have to work hard or I’ll get someone better to run it. I pay top-notch dollars for top-notch shows. From the ones you book”—he glanced at Cian since Jillian had said he was the PR guy for the troupe—“to your own performances. If you need to add more stuntmen and women to your troupe, that’s your choice. I only insist you keep the name the Fearless Finnegan Troupe. That name means something to many people.”

  They nodded.

  “I have some stipulations,” Lex said.

  “Like what?” Finnegan asked.

  “You must use at least one Leeds bike in your stunts.” He searched their faces. The others nodded, but Finnegan didn’t. “Is that going to be a problem?”

  “No,” Cian said.

  “Yes,” Finnegan said at the same time. “Bikers are like jockeys. Once they find a favorite ride, they don’t like to change.”

  The man was being deliberately difficult, or testing him. “Horses die and jockey’s move on, Mr. Finnegan,” Lex said, keeping his voice even. “They bond with new rides. Your riders will get used to Leeds bikes or modify them to suit their needs.” Lex leaned back. “We could even start a whole new line based on your specifications.” Something flickered in Finnegan’s eyes—amusement or respect, Lex wasn’t sure.

  “We can do the performance next week for Armed Forces Day, too,” Cian said.

  Lex dragged his eyes from Finnegan to focus on his son. Cian was a man Lex could conduct business with. “That’s good news. Can you use a Leeds?”

  Cian nodded. “Yes. Ricky likes your Street Rider XDs. He can ride it.”

  For the next half an hour, they discussed both deals. “Mrs. Watson will draw out a contract and send it to you. Have your legal team take a look at it. Then we’ll meet again to sign it. She will also be in touch with you about next week’s performance.”

  By the time Lex escorted his future in-laws to the door, everyone in the office had left, except Paula.

  “I’ll take care of the rest,” she said. “I have a list of sponsors who will be more than happy to have their names associated with the Armed Forces Day event.”

  “No, there’ll only be one sponsor. Infinitus Agendum.”

  “I don’t have their contact,” she said, frowning.

  “I do. I’ll send you all the information you need tonight.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks for staying. See you tomorrow?”

  She grinned. “Wouldn’t miss it. Will Dom be there?”

  “I’ll make sure you are seated beside him.” He grabbed his things and headed to the penthouse. It was too quiet. He’d gotten used to having Jillian and Douglas around. His brothers, in-laws, and cousins would not be arriving for the bachelor party for another hour. To chase away the silence, he turned on the TV. It was nice not to hear people discuss Jillian, thank goodness. He switched to ESPN and hiked the volume. Immediately, his phone rang. He recognized Rod’s number

  “What the hell is that noise in the background?”

  “Television, Mr. Media Man. What’s going on? Please tell me your people have something on Warwick and his foot soldiers? Douglas is back and is itching to get to work.”

  “Nothing so far. My people got a hold of the footage
from the Montage. Now, feel free to chew my ass, but I figured you’d want to know what was in it.”

  Lex tensed. “Go ahead.”

  “Douglas and Troy paid a brief visit to the kitchen and spoke to the chef before Jillian and her grandmother went to have tea.”

  Annoyance coursed through him. The implication of what Rod was saying was not lost on him. There was no way Douglas would want to hurt Jillian. He trusted the man with his life. “I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation.”

  “The guys told me to leave it alone, but I thought you needed to know. The camera covers the entrance to the kitchen. It showed them going in and a few minutes later, they came out with the chef.”

  “Thanks, Rod. Like I said, there’s a perfectly a good explanation for their presence there.” Lex hung up and frowned. What were Douglas and Troy doing in the kitchen at Parq? Of course, they’d never try to poison Jillian. Douglas had been with him for years. The man would be sick and still drag himself out of bed to take care of him. He was loyal. Lex helped him with his investments, so he knew Douglas could have retired years ago and lived comfortably for the rest of his life, but chose to stay in his service. There was no way he would want to hurt Jillian. Troy might still be new to his household, but he was already devoted to Jillian. Besides, he was Douglas’ protégée.

  Still… this was Jillian.

  Lex checked his watch. He had time before his brothers arrived. He placed a call to the Montage, then grabbed his helmet, goggles, gloves, and a jacket and headed downstairs. Next, he called his brothers. He was in the garage when he changed his mind about going to the Montage and called Douglas.

  “Did you and Troy talk to the kitchen staff at Parq before Jillian and her grandmother had tea yesterday?” Lex asked.

  “Yes, sir. Mrs. Petrosian instructed her assistant to book a table at the restaurant and asked the chef to make their usual. I went downstairs to make sure everything was okay. That they had everything Ms. Jillian and her grandmother wanted. The chef promised me she would personally prepare their tea. Troy tagged along to learn.”