Building Billions - Part 2 Read online

  “You really need to tell him,” Cass said.

  “But if I can’t find these answers, he’s going to think I’m incapable of doing my job,” I said.

  “He didn’t hire you to be a detective, Ash. He hired you to be an accountant. You’ve done the accounting work. Now let him to the rest of it. Or whoever he has to do the rest of it.”

  “I got this job because I took initiative.”

  “And now you look like an idiot. You’re chasing all these dead ends hoping to solve some big mystery when it could all be a big misunderstanding. Did you ever think this might be a software issue?”

  “I already talked with the tech department. I checked the equations in the spreadsheet application myself. They’re all correct. The coding is correct. The hardware’s only been changed out once, and that was to accommodate the load of clients Jimmy took on six years ago.”

  “Shit. You really dug into this.”

  “I really did, but I want solid proof. Jimmy is still recovering his image from that stuff in the media, and this would be a massive blow,” I said.

  “Did he ever figure out who made the accusation? That shit was everywhere for days.”

  “No, but he has a feeling about who it was. Hopefully, that issue was resolved today, but I don’t want to talk about it in case he’s trying to keep it under wraps.”

  “That’s fine. I can respect that. Though I’ll secretly try to pry it out of you later,” she said.

  “Duly noted. I want everything before I go to him. He can’t handle another blow like this.”

  “I think you’re underestimating him a bit, don’t you think?”

  But before I could answer Cass’s question, my phone rang in my purse.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey there.”

  “Jimmy. Hi.”

  Cass gave me a wry little grin as I sat back in my chair.

  “I know you’re taking the day, but I thought maybe drinks tonight might cheer you up,” he said.

  “Drinks with Markus, I take it?”

  “Yes. Drinks with Markus. Is that okay?”

  “Of course, it is,” I said. “I got some sleep and did some more work on these balance sheets, and I feel a little better. Not much, but I’m getting there.”

  “I know these past couple of months have been a whirlwind for you, but I want you to know I’m here for you. I get it. Things can get tough, but everything is okay now.”

  I felt my stomach drop at his words.

  “Yeah. For now,” I said.

  “Come get drinks. It’ll make you feel better. Pick you up at seven?”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  “Am I on doggy duty tonight again?” Cass asked.

  “Could you?”

  “Of course. I love that little guy,” she said.

  “Thank you so much.”

  “But you should tell him. If you want to pay me, then pay me that way. Tell Jimmy what’s going on with his company. It’s his company, Ashley.”

  “Okay. I hear you. I’ll tell him. Once I can get moved. Yikes.”

  “We are so throwing a massive party at your new place,” she said.

  I gave Ocean Homes a call to confirm my move-in time for tomorrow. I was stacking boxes near the front door, making sure things could go smoothly in the morning. I tidied myself up a bit for drinks, picked out a nice dress, and decided to let my hair down for the evening.

  I slapped on some makeup, slipped into a pair of heels, and waited for Jimmy to pick me up.

  The drive over was silent but tense. I gripped Jimmy’s hand harder than I’d intended, and I could tell he was studying me. I felt beads of nervous sweat sliding down my back as my eyes gazed out the window.

  I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get through this weekend without telling him about what I’d found.

  “Ashley. You look lovely as ever,” Markus said.

  “You’re way too kind. Thank you,” I said.

  The two of us embraced before Jimmy enveloped Markus in a hug.

  “I hear Nina finally got what she deserved,” Markus said.

  “Nina was arrested around four this afternoon,” Jimmy said.

  “Well, that’s a relief,” I said.

  “Good riddance too. That woman is nothing but trouble in heels,” Markus said.

  “So, in celebration of having her out of our lives, we’re going to talk about anything else,” Jimmy said. “After I get back from the bathroom.”

  I watched Jimmy get up from the booth, and he planted a kiss on my cheek. His touch was warm and inviting, and it settled the last of my nerves. I watched him walk away as a glass of wine was set in front of me, and I found Markus eyeing me curiously.

  “You make him happy, you know.”

  “He makes me happy too. I just hate that he has to put up with my anxiety sometimes,” I said.

  “Jimmy’s the perfect man for someone like you. Never feel like you’re weighing him down.”

  “I’ll try not to. Where’s Jamie tonight?”

  “She had a spa day and then came back to the hotel and crashed. Must be hard getting massages and pedicures. I’ve been dragging her around to so many things that I didn’t have the heart to wake her up.”

  “You’re a good man, Markus. She’s lucky to have you.”

  “And I’m lucky to have her. I’m a hard man who’s rarely romantic, and I don’t know why she puts up with me.”

  “Because you probably aren’t as rough with her as you think you are,” I said.

  “I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” he said with a wink.

  “And that’s why you and Jimmy get along. You’re both bad.”

  “To the bone,” he said.

  “Does your family live in Canada?” I asked. “That’s where you’re from, right?”

  “No. I’m from right here in Miami. Self-made man here. But when I got my company off the ground, I hit some roadblocks, and it made me establish some outposts in Canada. My headquarters is in Alberta.”

  “Do you like it there?”

  “I do. So does my mother, when she can remember it.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “My mother has Alzheimer’s. I took her with me to keep her comfortable and keep her close to family. I’m all she’s got, and she doesn’t have much time anyway.”

  “I’m so sorry. And can completely relate. My mother has Alzheimer’s too.”

  “How far along is she in it?” he asked.

  “Six years. It’s pretty advanced. I just had to sign off on bumping her treatment up a bit.”

  “Those are rough days. I had to do it with my mother a few months ago. She’s almost at a point where medication and therapy don’t help.”

  “Does she have any lucid moments?”

  “If you're looking for reassurance, I’ve got none. She barely knows who I am now. It’s hard, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But I know when she does finally pass, she’ll be relieved of the hell her own mind put her in.”

  I felt my eyes watering as I looked down into my wine glass.

  “Don’t get mad at him, but Jimmy did mention it to me. He said your mom was having a bad day one day, and it sort of slipped. I wanted you to know that if you need someone who gets it, I get it. Jimmy’s a good supporter, but he doesn’t get it. And sometimes, you need someone who understands.”

  “I’m not upset. You're like a father to Jimmy. I figured he’s probably told you a lot,” I said.

  “Does she ever call you other people’s names?” he asked.

  “No, but she does keep insisting I introduce her to my husband. She’s hell-bent on the fact that I got married.”

  “The last time I visited my mother, she called me Lou, which was close. That’s my middle name. My father’s name was Lou, and I figured she thought maybe I was him.”

  “Do you look a lot like your father?” I asked.

  “People think that. I don’t see it, but we never want to see our parents in us when
we age.”

  “Age. Like you’re old or something,” I said with a grin.

  “I feel old sometimes.”

  “I bet Jamie doesn’t think that. Does correcting your mother ever make her upset?”

  “All the time now. It used to not be like that, but this last time, I corrected her out of an automatic reaction, and she spiraled.”

  “I’m so sorry,” I said.

  “Jimmy tells me he met your mother. How did that go?”

  “Um, about as good as you could expect. She automatically assumed he was my husband and went on and on about our wedding. I was mortified until Jimmy started playing along.”

  “He’s a good man like that. He’s encountered my mother a few times, so it wasn’t his first time with something like this.”

  “She didn’t even get through the conversation before she forgot who he was.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “It’s not a big deal. I mean it is, but I’m used to it. Jimmy took it well, and it doesn’t seem to have made him scream and run for the hills, so that’s a good thing.”

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Is your father still alive?”

  “He’s not. Car accident took him a few years back.”

  “Does your mother ever think he’s still alive?”

  “Worse. She sometimes forgets she even got married. The nurses will come in and call her by her name, and she’ll correct them, tell them her last name is Roth and not Bryant.”

  “How do you deal with that? How does it not break you?” I asked.

  “I might drink a little too much for my own good sometimes. I talk with Jamie about it a lot. But mostly, it comes with times. As harsh as it sounds, you do get used to it. You have to. It’ll crumble you otherwise.”

  “It really doesn’t get easier, does it?” I asked.

  “No. But know that you can call me anytime you want if you want to talk about it. If talking to Jimmy or your friends don't work, get my number from Jimmy. He’ll understand.”

  “Thanks, Markus. I appreciate it.”

  “Did the toilet swallow that man whole?” Markus asked.

  “Nope. I saw you were already finished with your drink and decided to get you another one.”

  I looked up at Jimmy and saw him steadying the drinks in his hands. I reached up for the glass of wine he got for me, so it wouldn’t spill. Then, he handed Markus his drink. Jimmy’s touch on my back was comforting. Reassuring. And sitting at the table with someone who understood what I was going through relaxed me in a way I couldn't describe.

  “To a bright future and a better life,” Jimmy said.

  “Here, here,” Markus said.

  Then the three of us clinked our glasses, settled back into our chairs, and laughed until our stomachs ached.

  Chapter 15

  Jimmy

  I woke up with Ashley’s body entangled with mine, and I sighed. Every morning I got to wake up to her warmth next to me was a blessing. I looked down into her face as her cheek squished into my shoulder, and my heart rate sped up.

  I was in love with this woman.

  I only wished she would tell me what was bothering her.

  I knew something was there. She had been tense all last night. The car ride to the bar had been silent and uncomfortable. I wanted to know what was wrong. I wanted to know how I could make it better. I wanted her to stop pushing me away and let me in like I’d allowed her in.

  I wanted the chance to prove to her that I could support her through anything, no matter how big it seemed to her.

  I didn’t want Nina getting in the way of this. I didn’t want her ruining yet another good thing in my life. Nina was gone, and she wasn’t coming back. I only needed to find a way to convince Ashley of that.

  “Why are you staring at me?”

  “Good morning to you too,” I said.

  “What time is it?” Ashley asked.

  “Seven thirty,” I said. “You ready for the big move?”

  “Crap. I’m already late.”

  Ashley threw the covers off her, but I pulled her back to bed. My lips descended to her neck and I began kissing her, listening to soft moans fall from her lips.

  “Jimmy, I need coffee,” she said.

  “Oh, I’ve got a better way to wake you up.”

  “Then I’ll have to shower.”

  “We can shower at your new place.”

  “Jimmy, I need—oh, right there.”

  I grinned against her breast, teasing her nipple with my tongue as her hips rolled into me.

  She was warm and wet, percolating with the thought of my cock taking her. I pushed my shirt up her body, moved her panties to the side, and slid my throbbing cock into her pussy. She was beautiful. Her eyes were hazy with sleep, but her face was scrunched with pleasure. I thrust into her slowly, waking her up as her body became more alert.

  Her skin flushed, and her hands crept up my arms. She pulled me down to her, our lips intertwining. Even in the morning, she tasted phenomenal like wine and toast and a hint of butter. I threaded our fingers together and pinned her hands above her head. Her toes sent shivers up the backs of my legs. Her pussy was fluttering. Pulsing. Dripping on my skin as my lips nipped at her pulse point.

  “Come for me,” I said in a whisper. “I know you want to.”

  “Jimmy. Oh, Jimmy. So good. Oh ... you feel—”

  Her sentiment was cut off by the intensity of her orgasm. Her jaw unhinged as her body shook, and I could feel her pussy pulling me deeper. Her toes curled into my calves when my cock exploded, filling her with my come while her nails curled into my hands.

  I settled onto her body, cherishing the moment with her, feeling her soft warmth against my aching muscles.

  “Mmm, what a good morning,” she said.

  “And I plan to have many more of them.”

  I slid from between her legs and helped her to her feet. The two of us got cleaned up, and we had just enough time to get coffee. The moving van I had ordered for her was sitting in front of her complex, and men were standing at her apartment door as she eyed me carefully.

  “Just the two of us, huh?”

  “You’ve got help on one end, but I figured you could use some help on this end. Come on. Let’s get you moved in,” I said.

  We sat on the edge of her couch as we watched the movers stack the truck. She kept looking over at me and giggling, and the sound was wonderful. We sipped our coffee and kept moving around, trying to stay out of the way as Ashley called out commands.

  “Yep, let’s take that now.”

  “Nope, do that last.”

  “That goes to the curb. I’m not taking that with me.”

  “Be careful with that box. It’s got glass in it.”

  We drove over to her new place where a host of other men were waiting to unload her things. It was the first time I was seeing where she was moving, and the look of pride on her face was worth it. Between the guys the complex had and the guys I hired, it only took them three trips to get everything upstairs.

  She didn’t have much, but she was proud of what she had.

  I loved that about her.

  “You have a beautiful view of Miami,” I said.

  “And I’m close to the beach.”

  “Want to take a walk?”

  “I really should start unpacking.”

  “We can do that tonight. I’ll help you with it all. Take a walk with me. Let’s go break in the sand.”

  I held my hand out for her, and she smiled up at me. Those sparkling green eyes and that red hair piled high on her head had me bewitched. I couldn't resist that smile of hers. It melted my heart every time she flashed it. We set our empty coffee cups on the edge of her new kitchen counter, and the two of us made our way downstairs.

  Four blocks later, we were standing on the beach.

  We walked hand in hand, carrying our shoes as the waves flooded over our feet. The more we walked, the more A
shley leaned into me, relaxing and casting her worries away. Maybe the stress of the move to a new place was what had been bothering her. I wrapped my arm around her and kissed the top of her head, enjoying the sound of the ocean with the woman I had come to love.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “For what?”

  “For hiring those movers. For that van. For getting me out on this walk.”

  “I’m here to help,” I said.

  “You’re here for more than that. I want you to know I appreciate you, and I care about you. Everything I do is because of that.”

  I looked down at her as the two of us stopped walking.

  “I care about you, too, Ashley. A great deal. I want you to know you can rely on me. I’ll always listen, and I’ll always try to help whenever I can. You can come to me. Always.”

  “I know,” she said. “Thank you, Jimmy.”

  The waves crept across our feet as I raised my hand to her cheek. I ran my thumb along her skin, taking in the softness of her features. I got lost in her eyes, writing books about her beauty inside my head. I guided her face to mine, savoring the taste of her lips as we connected. The sun was hanging high in the sky, and the seagulls were singing off in the distance. She stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around my neck, and I bent her backward to taste more of her and feel her body arch into mine.

  I could’ve stayed like that forever. I could’ve held her in my arms with the sun on our backs and been the happiest man alive. If my company went under the next day, I would still be okay because I knew Ashley would be there to help me stay afloat.

  “I’m the luckiest man alive,” I said against her lips.

  “Then come here and give the luckiest girl alive another kiss.”

  Chapter 16

  Ashley

  Jimmy and I spent the rest of the day on the beach before heading to my place to unpack. He helped me get all the big furniture where it needed to be before we headed back to his place. I knew unpacking was going to be a process, and I didn’t want it to stress me out any more than it already had.