“Ten billion dollars isn’t really insignificant,” she grumbles, then she bumps my hip with hers. “I feel the same way, except the girlfriend part, obviously.” I chuckle, which I think is what she was looking for. “But I’m super glad you guys are making that work. I think you’re going to find yourself blissfully happy with this arrangement, and now that you’re all working to make her dreams a reality, she will too.”
“So, what do you want to do about the rest of the inheritance?”
“Do we need to do anything?”
“I think we need to decide whether we keep the properties or sell them. They’ll be a monetary drain if we don't ever want to sell them. We could use them for holiday homes if we like them, but realistically, how often will we go abroad?” She bites her lip, her classic tell that she’s thinking, so I wait her out. If I keep talking, she’ll let me lead the conversation, but I need to let her get things out of her head.
“I know I said I didn't want anything to do with them, but it’s our legacy, I guess. The count didn't sound like a nice man, but our biological father was Dad and Chuck’s best friend. He can’t have been all bad. We could hire a manager to oversee them, and we could turn them into Airbnbs. That way, they pay for themselves, so we don’t really have to worry about them. Plus, if you want to surprise Harlow with a trip to the French Riviera, everything will be ready. I feel like that’s a decision that lets us keep this connection to our biological family, and it would also make Dad proud too. I think he’ll be glad that we’re not severing all those ties, and we’re still being purposeful. You know Dad taught us to always be smart with whatever we had.”
“The castle in Romania and the property in Colombia, too?” I ask, mulling over her idea. It sounds pretty good to me. Neither of us needs any more work, and with the possibility of renovating the property for Harlow, I don't have time to flit around the world, looking over everything. “I think it’s a good idea, but would you be opposed to dealing with all of it? Harlow’s new venture will keep us busy, and I've possibly got a deal closing on that cruise line I wanted to purchase. If that goes ahead, I’ll be rebranding and refurbishing the five ships in the fleet, plus the hotel in Hawaii. That’s going to have its grand opening soon. I know it’s a lot to ask, but you could take your designs with you, and Nana could oversee the day-to-day runnings for a few months if need be.”
I thought she would blow up and rant about her job being just as important as mine, which has been her go-to argument in the past, but she’s weirdly quiet.
“You know, I think I’d like that.” Holy shit! What’s going on with my sister? She’snevergiven in that easily to anything that meant she’d lose time at Neighpalm Couture.
“Is everything okay at work?” I ask her, concern evident in my voice, but she waves her hand.
“Yes, yes. I love designing. Jace is an amazing designer and so easy to work with. Of course, Lindy and Rowena try to undermine me at every turn, and that’s just bothersome, but it’s a temporary problem. It’s just that the whole industry is so superficial. Everything is based on looks and what one person decides is a trend, and you know I’ve never liked designing shit to follow a trend. The best thing about Neighpalm Couture is we design real clothes that people want to wear, not shit that’s just for the shock factor on the runway. I’m just so tired of it all, Jax. I want to look into sustainability in the fashion industry and using natural fabrics. I don't want to deal with the day-to-day headache of it all anymore.”
My mouth drops open, and I stop on the spot. “Never would I have thought the day would come when you got tired of playing with the superficial crowd.”
“It used to be fun, but now it’s a drag. I want real friends, and I want to make Neighpalm Couture a label that looks to future-proofing. We deserve to be a long-term name in fashion instead of a short blazing star that burns out within a couple of years. The hiatus that Dad and Nana forced on me was actually somewhat of a blessing in disguise. Although I thought I was dying to get back there when it happened, it made me realize how unhappy I had become. I'm all in favor of your idea. Design is where my heart lives, and the new arrangement will give me time to help take care of all the new responsibilities on our shoulders.”
Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever been prouder of my sister. My family and I have always known that Jazzy had depth, that she had creativity and drive and what it takes to really shine. For so long, she’s been content to let the world see her as a superficial girl because that was safer for her. If she never took risks, if she never showed her real passions, then she could hide from the world despite being front and center. This sounds like a real change for her, like my sister is ready to be the woman we all know her to be, and I can’t fucking wait for her to take the world by storm. Of course, if I make a huge deal of this, it’s just going to freak her out, so I’ve got to play it cool.Deep breath, Jax, control the proud brother vibes.
“Okay, sounds like you have a handle on everything, but make sure you say something if it becomes too much. Don't bottle it all away. I’ll dump everything if I have to. In fact, I could probably find someone to temporarily take over at Resorts and Hotels, and we could do that together.”
She leans closer and kisses my cheek. “It’s fine;I’mfine. I promise. You’ve got Harlow as well, and I don't want to drag you away from her and everything you guys are doing for her.”
She tucks her arm under mine and drags me over to DS and Jenny grazing in the day paddock. “The more I think about it, the more excited I am. If the house across the road has a secret vault, what’s to say none of the other places do too? I’m looking forward to exploring them all. Maybe, if she has the time, Harlow and I could even do a girls trip when all of this dangerous stuff is all over. A sister bonding trip where she could show me what she likes to do in those abandoned buildings she loves.”
A new set of worries starts to plague my mind. My sister, and possibly my girlfriend, too, in these foreign countries on her own. Yes, she’s done this kind of thing before, but we don't know anything about the houses or the people who’ve been looking after them for the last twenty-odd years. Not to mention the count’s less-than-savory reputation—another problem I need to worry about. I’ll talk to Thomas and see what he thinks. Maybe I can convince her to take Jace with her. I would feel better if she had at least one person I knew with her, and he’s a great guy. He’s fit in perfectly with the family over the last week, just like he was always there, and Harlow already adores him like a brother.
“Come on, help me get these two inside for Harlow,” she says, handing me Jenny’s halter and bringing me back to the task at hand.
“Declan said that they’re bringing the tiger back here. Do you think it’s a good idea if they’re near it?”
Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. “No, not at all. Let’s take them over to the other barn and see if Josh can find them a place over there. Wow, a tiger. I can’t wait to see it.”
“Do you think you could help me set up something special for Harlow? Maybe a picnic or something, so I can talk to her about everything. Shit, Jazzy. How the fuck do I do this?” I put the halter on Jenny’s head, and we walk to the other stables to look for Josh. My nerves are already ramping up at the thought of asking Harlow to share her life with us and maybe move in together.
Jacinta is smirking at me, but not in nasty way, just that smug sister face. “Don’t stress, bro. I’m sure you only have to ask, and she’ll jump at it. She’s already packed up to move out there, and with Melinda and Chuck and Max also making California their home, I think you’ve got this in the bag. I see how she looks at the six of you. Just be your charming self, and it will all fall into place.”
The animals’ hooves echo on the floor of the barn as we enter, matching the beating of my heart, but Jacinta’s words have given me a little more confidence, and now I can’t wait for Harlow to get home.
ChapterEight
Harlow
At the sound of my voice, they all peek up from the corner of the room they’re in. Really, room is a generous term. Quite honestly, the thing is a cage, a barebones one at that. The only thing in the enclosure is a bunch of old blankets, and that’s where they were hiding, but now that they’ve heard me, five curious cubs come running over on unsteady legs until my feet are surrounded. Sinking down, I run a hand over them as they try to compete with each other for my attention. I pick one up by the scruff of the neck and bring it up to eye height. I examine his eyes, which look to be a bit runny, and there’s discharge coming from his nose too. Black fleas are crawling all over his tummy, and it’s raw from him scratching at the biting bastards.
“Aw, poor baby,” I coo as he screeches at me plaintively. I put him down with his siblings and go back out to find Thomas squatting down next to Jim, closing his eyes. Jay shudders as he takes in the blood surrounding the body.
“The cops have to look at this; they’ll need to call the coroner and tell his wife or whatever she is out there.”
“Okay, will the two of you give me a hand carrying what I found, please? I don’t want to separate them from their mom, but I’m pretty sure she’ll have to be euthanized after attacking Jim. Being in a safe place is our best hope of training them. Plus, they all need checking over. I’m sure the doc will have a carrying cage or something we can put them in.”
To their surprise, the tiger cubs have trailed behind me, but I was expecting a reaction like that. Leaning over, I grab two by the scruff, passing one to each of the men before handing Thomas a second and taking the last two myself. With a cub under each arm, I lead the men back around the front to the flurry of activity that’s taking place. There’s an Animal Control truck with a transport crate on the back of it, and Doc Davies has recruited Declan and one of the cops to assist him in rolling the tiger onto a sling. Together, they’re going to shift her into the crate in the back of the truck.
