Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Henry, when you have a wife, then I will come to you for marriage advice.”
“I have been happily married for three years. I have a two-year-old son and another on the way.”
“Did I know that?” I honestly hadn’t thought he had a family. When had I given him enough time to go home and have a family?
“Yes,” he deadpanned, and I felt a little like an asshole. “I will have the files drawn up by the end of business today. In the meantime, I have already taken the liberty of looking into some of her likes and dislikes so I could pick out the appropriate birthday, Valentines, and anniversary gifts when the time comes.”
“When did you do that?” I asked.
“About twenty seconds after you had me announce your engagement in the Times.”
He wrote a few things out in his notebook. “My preliminary report is filed in your desk now, in your personal folder. I will have the more thorough report filed there as well.”
“Thank you, and congratulations on the baby. Be sure to get yourself a baby shower gift.”
“Already done, sir. The diaper genie is much appreciated.” He pushed his square glasses up on his face.
“Is that all?” I asked, moving to the files that were tucked in a drawer.
At first glance, I was surprised how detailed his research was. The first page was her birthday, eye color, clothing size, and brand preferences, and the second began listing information about her likes and dislikes. This was a good start.
“No, sir, unfortunately, I got several calls from your father’s less-reputable associates. It seems they are not convinced the Dubois issue has been properly handled and they have some… concerns they would like addressed. I tried to brush them off, but they expressed that they feel it may be in their best interest to address the issues themselves.”
Fuck! This was why working in bad faith at all times was a horrible idea.
My father had dealt with these thugs in bad faith one too many times, and now there was no trust. Now I had to talk to them myself to ensure they didn’t put a hit out on the man. I wanted my old friend destroyed, not dead. How was I going to enjoy the look of utter devastation on his face if he was dead?
“Okay, thank you, Henry. I’ll deal with them. Please get started on that report. And just in case they get any ideas, put a security detail on her. I want eyes on her any time she isn’t at home or with me but have them be discreet.”
“Already done, sir.” He turned and went back to his desk a few feet beyond my office door.
I sat back in my chair and flipped through the pages of the report. She apparently had a love of art. That seemed like a good place to start.
“Henry,” I called, and he was back at my door in a moment.
“Yes, sir?”
“Get my father’s associates on the line for me, then call the Met and see if we can arrange a romantic private lunch for me and my fiancée in one of the wings. Call Amelia and make sure she is there at the appropriate time, then clear the rest of my day.”
“Right away, sir.”
“Oh, and Henry?” I said, stopping him from leaving. “Does that sound like something she would like? At this point, I think you know her better than I do.”
“It checks all the boxes, sir. It’s romantic, takes time and effort, and it’s personalized to her tastes. The Met has a special exhibit on a few Impressionists. It opens in a few weeks, but I believe the paintings arrived last week. I’ll try to arrange something there.”
“Thank you.” I sat back, wondering if this was going to be enough.
In the car last night, I had been too rough with a girl so inexperienced. I couldn’t even imagine what she thought of me. She probably saw me the same way I saw certain associates of my father.
Barbaric, uncivilized, and violently immoral.
After last night, she might have a point.
It was time I showed my fiancée a different side of me.
“Sir, these gentlemen decided to make a face-to-face visit,” Henry said, standing at my door again. “I’m afraid the idea of calling to schedule something slipped their minds. Should I show them in?”
“Yes, thank you.” I rolled my eyes. Of course, my father’s associates came all the way here to meet face to face. They were under the illusion that a bunch of unwashed gangsters from the “old country” was going to intimidate me.
They were sorely mistaken.
“Gentlemen, please have a seat.” I didn’t stand.
Which was a sign of disrespect, but if the three men in ill-fitting cheap suits took offense, they didn’t show it. The O’Leary clan was an Irish mob from Belfast, small but well-known and, thanks in no small part to my father, well-funded and connected.