An Improper Deal(49)

Before he can grab it, I snatch the mug and start drinking. The fresh java should taste great, but I can’t taste anything. The caffeine still works, though, kicking my brain into gear.

“I need to shower. After that, we should get brunch soon and get going,” he says. “We have a meeting.”

I hold the mug with both hands and keep it in front of my face like a mask. “About what?”

“You wanted me to create an escrow account for your money, to ensure that it would be there when we divorce.”

I nod.

“That’s smart of you, but it’s foolish to keep it in a bank where it won’t pay you any real interest. You’ll probably lose money after inflation.”

He makes sense. It’s a line my dad often used to lure in clients. But I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with the information. It’s not like I can find a magical bank somewhere that’s going to give me a decent rate of return.

“There’s a financial advisor I use at OWM. He handles all my investments, and he’s excellent. I thought it’d be a good idea to ask him to manage yours as well. Who knows? Maybe it’ll be worth a lot more than a million after a year.”

I blink at him over the rim of my cup. Investing the money never even crossed my mind. At the same time, I can’t help doubting whether this is legit. Dad was supposed to be a champ too until it turned out that he ripped everyone off. “How can you be sure he’s not a scammer?”

Elliot raises his eyebrows. “Scammer? Like he’s embezzling?”

“Or, you know…a Ponzi scheme,” I add in a near whisper.

He laughs. “I’ve done my homework. Trust me. I wouldn’t have given a penny to someone I hadn’t vetted thoroughly.” He tugs his earlobe. “OWM doesn’t take on new clients and a mere million-dollar account isn’t something they’d usually consider, but they’re making an exception for me.”

Good god. What kind of people treat that much money with such disdain? Elliot’s talking like a million bucks is something he finds when he digs between his couch cushions.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask. “You don’t have to bother. All you have to do is hand over the money, and your end of the deal is finished.”

“Because.” He shrugs. “It isn’t a lot of money, so it’s even more important to be careful so it stretches and provides you with the kind of comfort you want. Besides, once the news gets out about your money, unscrupulous assholes will come after you.”

Will they ever. And most of them will look upstanding and perfect. That’s how they make you feel like they’re doing you a favor by taking your money.

“Just my way of ensuring you don’t get taken advantage of,” he adds.

And just like that he whacks at the tight ball in my heart, making it crumble a little. I can’t remember the last time somebody seemed genuinely interested in what happened to me or Nonny. I hate him a little bit for that. He isn’t supposed to be considerate, not after calling me Gigi.

“Thanks,” I say tightly and turn away before he does or says anything else nice. I gulp down the rest of the hot coffee and place the mug in the sink and start to walk toward the staircase leading to the master suite.

“Beautiful.” His voice is soft, but no less forceful for it.

I stop for a moment, but don’t turn around. “I have to get ready,” I say, then resume my ascent.

* * *


Elliot

Goddamn it.

She’s still upset.

I should’ve kept my mouth shut. But I couldn’t. The expression on her face was amazing, like she couldn’t believe she was climaxing again. My name tore from her, and it hit me like a drug. Her name tickled my mind, rolled around on my tongue as my muscles melted. And that, more than anything else, made me whisper the name I gave her.

What I didn’t expect was for her to turn away. Or cry.

She was quiet though. I almost didn’t notice. And I hated it that she was shedding tears at all. Sex is supposed to be fun. It isn’t the kind of thing you’re supposed to feel anything more about, but she did, and I want to fix it.

Getting Omega Wealth Management to take her on as a client was my peace offering. She should’ve been thrilled. I even explained the significance—although it was awkward as hell because it sounded like I was bragging or something—but damn. Gavin Lloyd only allowed it because I asked extra nice…and shamelessly leveraged his friendship with Elizabeth’s cousin Mark. I even had to bring Gavin’s pregnant wife and son into the conversation, saying, “Wouldn’t you want to know that the money you set aside for them was in competent hands?”