The Sapphire Affair (Jewel #1)(25)

“You didn’t ask,” he said.

Touché.

“Fair enough,” she said. “Besides, my mother helped me out, and I’ve been rebuilding.”

“Good. I’m thrilled.” He leaned back in his chair and glanced briefly at the crowds click-clacking by—businessmen and -women streaming in and out of banks. “But do you need anything now?” He waved broadly behind him. “My bank is right over there.”

She shook her head. “Thank you, I’m good. And speaking of my mom, there’s something I wanted to bring up,” she said, straightening her spine, readying for her mission. This was why she came to the Caymans early. To right a wrong, and the simplest way to do that was to ask.

After all, he’d given her the permission seconds ago.

He raised his eyebrows, waiting.

She drew a quiet breath, letting it fill her lungs, with strength, she imagined. Then, calmly, she asked, “I have a request. There’s something I’d like you to do.”

He cocked his head. “Of course. What is it?”

He sounded so damn genuine. Like he really would do anything she asked.

His eager reply further emboldened her.

“It’s about the money Mom invested in your fund when you started it. I think you should pay her back. You would never have had the hedge fund without her. She made it possible for you to start a business that made you rich. It’s only fair to return the seed money, especially now that you’ve retired,” she said, making her argument crisp and clear, laying out the facts.

But his response was a dismissive laugh. “That’s silly, dear. She has her jewelry sales.”

Her brow knit together. Seriously? That was his answer? She shoved aside the curl of annoyance in her gut, keeping her voice even as she tried again. “Eli, she helped you in a big way when you needed her, and she’s trying to rebuild her business now after the divorce. Don’t you think it would be the right thing to do with the money?”

“She doesn’t need my money if she’s busy selling jewelry again. She’s always been so talented with her little artsy tinkering.”

His money? Ha. The jury was out on whether it was even his money at all. “Her little artsy tinkering? Her little artsy tinkering funded your company that you just retired from. And you made sure she got nothing in the divorce,” she said, a bead of anger coiling through her. Screw her sentimental heart. Her brain quickly erased the question of which Eli was real. He was a rat bastard right now, but if she didn’t get ahold of her roiling emotions soon, her recon mission would go bust.

She reminded herself to breathe. To focus on her prana or something. Whatever that was.

Eli waved a hand in the air, erasing it all. “Bah, that’s crazy. It was a completely fair settlement. But let’s not talk of such unpleasant matters, my dear. Look, our brunch is here,” he said, his eyes lighting up as a new waiter served them their plates.

“Hey, Steph,” the waiter said as he set down her eggs. She glanced up to see a guy who had helped out at Devon’s from time to time was serving them. His eyes sparkled brightly.

“Good to see you, Reid,” she said, rising to give him a quick hug. “What have you been up to? Did you ever get the boat you had your eye on?”

“I did. I’m hoping to start a charter fishing business soon,” he said, and her mind flicked back to Jake. Maybe someday, Jake would return to this island and charter a fishing boat from this waiter.

“You’ll have to let me know if you do, so I can refer tourists to you.”

“That would be excellent,” he said with a wide smile. He turned to her stepfather and gestured to his food. “Bon appétit, Mr. Thompson. It’s always a pleasure to see you here at Tristan’s.”

“And you as well, Reid.” When he walked away, Eli tipped his forehead to the waiter. “Everyone here loves you. You really should move here.”

“Yes, I should. But I like Miami, too. Because I like my mother. She’s not the kind of person who hurts someone she loves,” she said, her voice calm, her tone deliberately low. But her eyes locked with his as she aimed to deliver a crystal-clear message.

He picked up his fork and looked at her, speaking firmly. “What happened between your mother and me is between us. We’ve put it behind us. Let’s you and I do the same. Let’s move on and forge a new relationship.”

Her jaw dropped as she reached for a piece of toast. “Are you kidding me? It’s behind you and her? Hardly.”

“It absolutely is. Shelly and I have moved on. So let’s focus on other matters,” he said, digging into his eggs benedict.

“Eli, you need to play fair. Why can’t you at least return the money she funded your firm with?”

“Sweetheart,” he said, admonishing her.

“Or is that money someplace else?” she asked, pressing the issue, refusing to let it go.

“Steph. Let’s have a nice meal together,” he said, taking time to punctuate each word. He pointed to her plate and her untouched food. “Eat your eggs and toast. And let’s set a time for dinner. I want you to meet Isla.”

“Is that your new girlfriend?” she asked as she picked up her fork.

“Fiancée. And she’s amazing,” he said as he finished chewing. “You’ll love her,” he said, his voice laced with admiration and reverence. “I feel like she’s my soul mate.”