His thumbs caressed her cheeks and she smothered a sigh.
“Believe me, I thought of it. But the mob is another whole layer of corruption and protection. They don’t mess with that. Not even for me.”
Leaning toward his warmth, she said, “Then thank you. It’s nice to know I’ve got people looking out for me. Even if they are on the wrong side of the law.”
“You can thank me better than that.” The glimmer in his eyes taunted her.
Without her heels, she had a height disadvantage so she stood on her toes, pulling his head down to hers. And as their lips touched it allbecame better.
* * * *
“Hey, Scott, that shipment of lumber just arrived at the Danbury campus. We should be good to go next week.” Jack sauntered into the office as Scott looked up from the paperwork he was ensconced in. As his cousin plopped into the chair behind the new desk, Scott sighed.
“Sounds like you’ve got everything under control.” He tried to hide the annoyance in his voice, but the constant problems with the mill building site were causing him a permanent headache. Today he’d been here at the main office of Holland Construction for too long. He had managers, accountants, and secretaries to handle all the paperwork. He liked to be in the field.
“Everything okay?” Jack asked, his feet propped on the desk.
“It’s fine.”
“Doesn’t sound fine.”
“Why did you order the shipment for this week when we don’t have the employees available for the job for two more weeks?”
“You sent me those two new guys from your friend, Jian. They seemed capable, so I figured I’d get them started on the preliminary stuff before the rest of thecrew arrives.”
Silence filled the room like a viscous substance and Jack lowered his legs. “That’s not a good thing to getstarted early?”
“It’s fine, Jack. You’re half owner and have a right to make any decisions you want.”
“But it doesn’t sound like it was what you would have done.”
“You’re running that site, so it’s your call.”
“I can check with you first if that’swhat you want.”
Running his hands through his hair, Scott swallowed hard. “As half owner you don’t need to check anythingwith me first.”
Jack stood, moving closer. “I owe you a lot. My life. Callie and Jonathan’s lives and well being. If it weren’t for you, I might have been picked off by one of Cabrini’s men long ago. I’m simply trying to do my share around here so it doesn’t all fall on you. I’m not tryingto take over.”
“I didn’t say you were.” Though often lately it felt that way. But he didn’t need an argument right now. There was enough on his plate with all the crap being delayed on the mill project. They’d had yet another permit somehow go astray this week, setting the electrical work behind schedule.
“Tell me what you want me to do, Scott. Do you want me gone? The business to yourself? We can do that,”
“No, of course not. I’m thrilled you’re around more and don’t still have a damn price on your head. I’m simply being stupid. I ran this place by myself for years, and I guess I’m a bit territorial. I built this business into what it is today.”
“And you don’t want me walking in, taking half of what you made. I get it.”
“No, Jack, it’s not—”
“No, Scott, listen, if it’s easier for you to simply hire me as a foreman, then that’s what we’ll do. Or I can leave and find other work. I didn’t want to be dead weight, but I don’t want to usurp any of your authority either. Just tell mewhat you want.”
Lowering his head, he rubbed his eyes with his thumbs and breathed in deep. What did he want?
“This company was left to both of us. We both need to run it. I’m used to doing everything my way but that isn’t necessarily the right way. I have to accept that.”
Leaning against his desk, Jack folded his arms. “It’s worked until now, so why don’t I back off?”
“I don’t want you to back off, Jack. I want to be partners with you. If I can pull this stick out of my ass then it won’t be such a problem when you make choices that differ from what I would have done.”
