Aiden held up a glass. “Why do you think I brought whisky with me?”
“Is it helping?”
“No.”
He moved nearer, hoping for a bit of warmth. “I appreciate the kindness you’ve shown Vivi.” The kindness being a lack of animosity.
“She’s family now. Can’t believe you married Finn’s Folly.”
“She’s all I ever wanted, Aiden.”
“Well, she doesn’t look to be a bad sort.”
“High praise indeed.”
“And she’s definitely a looker.”
He grinned. “She is that. I have something for you, from both of us.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a leather encased packet and handed it to his brother.
“What’s this?”
“The deed to the Elysium Club. We’ve transferred ownership to you.”
Aiden swung around. “Are you bloody mad? I can’t take this.”
“Nothing for you to take. It’s done.”
Aiden shoved it toward him. “Undo it.”
“If not for you, I’d be on the far side of the world. Even after I finished my sentence, I doubt I’d have ever gotten back here. How many people have you heard about returning? I wouldn’t be looking forward to a life with Vivi. She wouldn’t be anticipating one with me. We owe you. Take it and be gracious about it.”
With a sigh, Aiden tapped the leather against his thigh. “Only if you’ll take twenty percent of the profits.”
“Twenty? I expected you to offer forty.”
Aiden scowled. “I’ve visited the place. You’ve got less than a dozen patrons. It’s going to require a lot of work on my part. I’ll give you thirty.”
“We’ll take ten.”
His brother laughed. “You are the worst bargainer.”
“Learned it from my wife.”
“Lord help you. Twenty and that’s final. Your heart was never really in it.”
“No, it wasn’t. You’re not obligated to make it what I envisioned. Make it a gambling hell for men if you want or for both. Burn it to the ground. It’s yours to do with as you will.”
Aiden nodded. “What I’m going to do is make it a success. By the way, funny thing. Out of nowhere, our bastard of a sire sent word, through his solicitor, that my debt to him is paid in full, that the terms of our agreement are at an end.”
“Maybe his conscience got the better of him.”
“I doubt it. Saw him walking about with a splint on his arm. You wouldn’t have had anything to do with that, would you?”
“The bone in his forearm snapped like a twig and he squealed like a pig whose tail was tugged on.”
Aiden lifted his brows. “It really is broken?”
Finn couldn’t help but smile as he nodded. “I took great pleasure in delivering the blow. He is vile, our sire.”
