Entangled (The Accidental Billionaires #2) - J. S. Scott Page 0,28

they do whatever was the safest and easiest way to accomplish things.

Maybe it was a little weird that my protective instincts toward Skye were still so prevalent. But they weren’t going away, so I’d have to learn to roll with it. She was the mother of my child. So it might be totally normal to feel that way.

She had a smile in her voice when she answered. “That would be nice.”

“Don’t ever be afraid of me,” I insisted. “I’d never hurt you or Maya. I might be an asshole at times because I want you both to be safe and happy. But I swear I’d never touch you in anger.”

I wasn’t the type of guy to ever hit a woman in anger, and I wanted to make that clear. That kind of behavior was for fucked-up cowards.

“I know,” she said simply.

I was silent as I pulled into the parking lot of the café. After I’d thrown the truck in park, I asked, “Do you want to tell the crew that you’re shutting the restaurant down for a while? I still think you should make it what you want it to be.”

“I want to make it different than it is right now,” she considered. “I’m afraid that if I don’t change it, the café will become obsolete. Citrus Beach has been changing for a while. It’s a small beach city that’s been growing like crazy. Trendy eateries are popping up everywhere. The place needs some specialties. It needs to be rebranded.”

“But?” I could hear the hesitation in her tone.

“It’s a lot to ask for you to become my partner and invest in a place that really needs a lot of work. But if I don’t do it, I might have to close it down eventually.”

I tightened my hands on the steering wheel. “If you’d take it, I’d happily gift you the money, Skye. But if being your partner is the only thing you’ll accept, then I’ll do it.”

I already knew she was way too proud and ambitious to take something for nothing. Hell, she could have collected a boatload of child support, something she was entitled to get, and she hadn’t even done that.

So I’d compromise. This time. I didn’t much care what it took to get her to eat more and work less.

No woman should look as weary as she did most of the time.

“Thank you for believing in me,” she said softly.

“I know you can do it,” I said sincerely. “I agree completely with your assessment. And I don’t want you or Citrus Beach to lose the café. But it needs a whole new brand to stay relevant.”

Even though it was annoying that I couldn’t get her to let go and trust me, I totally understood why she wanted her independence. She’d never had any kind of security in her life.

I wanted to give her the café that would keep her feeling independent. I never wanted her to feel trapped again.

“Then I accept,” she said firmly. “I’ll let the crew know.”

I smiled even though she couldn’t see me in the dark cab.

That was one victory won, but it hadn’t come easy.

However, she trusted me a little, and for right now, that had to be enough.

CHAPTER 10

AIDEN

I jerked on my tie the next morning as I made my way downtown. I hated feeling like I was being strangled by a tight noose around my neck, and I was itching from the heavily starched shirt I was wearing.

I wasn’t a custom-suit type of guy like Seth and Eli Stone.

But we met with potential partners and clients in our offices, so we had to look like professionals.

To be honest, I wasn’t really ready to see Seth’s face right now. But it was Monday morning, and I’d promised I’d be at the office.

Business was booming, and I had an obligation to the company.

I need to let Seth know I’ve made some decisions.

Sometimes, I really wished I enjoyed the thrill of the acquisitions and the projects that were under development.

At first, the whole idea of working in partnership with Seth had been appealing. But I’d pretty much discovered that real estate did nothing for me.

I’d rather be fishing.

I’d rather be in a pair of jeans and a comfortable shirt.

I’d rather be making a bigger difference in the world now that I had more money than I could spend in a lifetime.

It wasn’t like I didn’t appreciate the fact that my siblings and I were now filthy rich. But the transition had been . .