about Bird of Paradise, but he could barely keep his eyes open.
He fell back onto his pillow.
I leaned in to cover him with his blanket when he whispered, “There’s four billion in bullion in Geneva.” He paused for a gasp of air. “Your mother doesn’t get a fucking dime.”
Oh, she will. I would see to it. Considering my mother had married a serial cheater, she deserved more than a dime.
“It’s all yours and Britney’s. Don’t let that bitch Tammy get a hint of it.”
“Why Britney?” I asked.
He gestured for me to stop asking questions.
I kissed his sunken cheek and left, my heavy tread reflecting my mood.
Why would he leave money to Britney and not my mother, who’d been married to him for fifteen years?
I tugged on my cuffs and straightened the satin lapels of my tux. My late grandfather’s diamond cuff links sparkled in the dim lighting of the car’s cabin. Unlike my father, my paternal grandfather had believed rewards came from honesty and a spotless reputation. I respected him and was a better person for having known him. Without his influence I might have turned out more like Brent.
James pulled up in front of a columned building. Purple and red lights highlighting the sculpted details gave it a magical appeal, especially against the turquoise twilight.
My new driver was about to jump out when I held up my hand and said, “I’ve got this.”
I ran over to Miranda’s side to help her out of the limo.
She thanked me and stood on the curb, admiring the architecture of the building where the gala was being held.
I lost my tongue when I first saw her dressed in that hip-hugging pink gown, revealing enough milky cleavage to make my pulse race.
I needed to stop imagining her naked. Miranda was more than just physically beautiful. She had a kind heart and spirit—qualities sorely lacking in my circle.
“Are your eyes okay?” I asked.
She rubbed at her eyes and frowned. “I’ve never worn contacts before, and they’re very irritating.”
“You can just wear your glasses if that will make you more comfortable. You look great either way, but glasses really suit you.”
“No one’s ever told me that before.” She gave me a shy smile.
“That’s surprising. I think they’re cute. Ready?” I held out my arm, and we continued up the stairs to another gala event that looked just like all the others.
After taking over as CEO of Peace Holdings, I’d continued attending these things to raise capital for my own development projects. I’d quickly discovered it was increasingly futile. My dad’s old cronies passed on my projects, telling me they were too idealistic and unprofitable. And I had very little in common with the guys my age, who were mostly socially awkward tech guru wannabes from Silicon Valley.
A jazz quartet grooved away on stage, performing the classics. As we sipped on excellent champagne, I centered my attention on the drummer, an elderly Black man, who could have taught me a thing or two about syncopation.
Standing close by, Britney acknowledged me with a grin. As her eyes shifted from me to Miranda, her smile faded. Miranda was the belle of the ball. No one came close in the beauty stakes—not even Britney in her tight blue number with a plunging neckline. Judging by her scowl, she knew it too.
I wanted to wait until she’d had a few drinks before asking her for more details on Bird of Paradise. She’d sidestepped my earlier questions like a crab on a full moon and scuttled off when I got distracted by a call relating to the car chase.
I’d learned who was responsible for turning a dull night into anything but. It had been a disgruntled investor named Tony Varela. He wanted his dough. “Ten million plus interest,” he’d growled, sounding like a Scorsese character.
“Instead of ramming my car and frightening the shit out of my passenger, you could have just called,” I said.
“Where’s the fun in that?” he asked with a sinister chuckle.
He threatened to send someone to have a “friendly” chat with me if I didn’t pay up within twenty-four hours.
This time, I was prepared. I had an ex-Special Forces fighter as my driver. And with Miranda close I needed to protect her.
I wondered why Peace Holdings had dealings with such a shady character, considering that my father was a serious snob and preferred to rub shoulders with high society. Even though, when it came to the opposite sex, he had a thing for wild women, my mother was the