Rebel Heir (Rush Series Duet #1)(29)

Of course, I knew exactly what they weighed, and I was pretty sure that the things outweighed his skinny ass. I looked up, my bloodshot eyes beaded with contempt. “Are you saying you’re incapable of performing your job?”

“Uh…no. No. I’ll…I’ll get them up there.” He continued to stand there, staring.

“Are you waiting for something?” I bit out. “Get to work.”

“Umm. Sure. Right. Yes, boss.” Even though he said that, when he saw me get up and head over to the door, the pansy-ass stayed frozen in place. For a heartbeat, when his eyes grew wide, and I thought he might shit his pants, I almost felt bad for the guy. Almost. Though that notion wore off before I slammed the door in the fucker’s face.

For the last three days, I’d managed to avoid Gia. I’d been planning a renovation of one of the rental properties I owned out here, and the permits finally came through from the town. While the demolition crew I hired ripped out the dated kitchen and back deck, I spent most of the days meeting subcontractors to get quotes on doing the remodel. Even though I could afford the extra cost of hiring a GC to do that type of shit, I liked to manage my own construction projects. And God knows, I could use the fucking distraction from spending all my time watching over Gia at this place.

My cell phone rang, and the first genuine smile I had in days appeared on my face. I sat back into my chair while I answered. “Well if it isn’t the birthday girl. Sleep in? I called you two hours ago.”

“I was actually out getting supplies,” my mother said. “The phone rang while I was driving, and I don’t know how to hook up the hands-free thing. You’ll have to do that for me this weekend.”

“Alright.”

“I bought a new set of acrylics and some extra canvas. I’m hoping the sunset is as beautiful as it was last year out there.”

“The weather is supposed to be nice. When are you coming out?”

“This afternoon, if you don’t mind. I know I usually come out on Friday, but I need to get back early to help out at the summer cookout they’re having at church.”

“Of course. Whatever you want. You’re welcome anytime. You know that. Let yourself in when you get here, and I’ll try to be home early from the restaurant. I’ll bring home a nice birthday dinner with me.”

“Actually…I was thinking of coming to the restaurant for the sunset tonight to paint, if that won’t interrupt your busy time or anything. I won’t take up much room, just a chair in the corner of the rooftop bar. I don’t even need to bring my easel.”

“Bring anything you want. I’ll close the fucking place if having other people around distracts you.”

“Heathcliff…your language.”

I was transported back to being ten again. “Sorry. I’ll try to watch my mouth. But can you lay off the Heathcliff around my place of business. No one knows my name is anything other than just Rush. I’m like Madonna…only with a bigger di…. Never mind, just call me Rush at work, please, Ma.”

“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll see you in a few hours.”





It was almost five by the time I emerged from my office. I hated to sit behind a desk all day, which was the primary reason it took me the entire afternoon to catch up on all the paperwork I’d been avoiding. The kitchen staff had arrived and were here prepping for the start of the dinner rush when I stopped in.

“I need something that isn’t on tonight’s menu made, probably for about seven o’clock.”

“Sure thing, Rush. Whatta ya need?” Fred, the head chef asked. He’d been my first hire when I took over the place five years ago.

“Salmon Oscar. Just like you used to make at McCormick and Schmick’s.”

He pointed a pair of tongs in his hand at me and smiled. “You got it. Whatever you’re in the mood for.”

“It’s actually not for me. But I appreciate it. I’ll probably just order a burger to eat later.”

“Hot date?”

“It’s my mom’s birthday. She’ll be here in a little while.”

Fred winked. “I’ll make it better than I made it when I worked at McCormick and Schmick’s, then.”

I figured I’d head upstairs to section off a little area for my mom to paint before she got here. Thursdays were busy, but usually more so after the dinner rush ended. By then, the sunset would be long gone, and she wasn’t a late-night person anyway.

Climbing the stairs two at a time with a cushioned indoor chair in my hand, I hit the rooftop and froze. We hadn’t opened yet, but my staff was busy setting up tables and stocking the outdoor bar. Everyone bustled around getting ready, except for my bartender. Rhys. Instead of working, he had his forearms resting on the bar while he flirted with a woman. And not just any woman. The smiling asshole was standing there flirting with my girl.

Fury pumped through my veins as I stood there watching. Rhys said something I couldn’t hear, and Gia threw her head back laughing. Fuck. She was so beautiful when she smiled.

As if she sensed me watching her, Gia’s head turned and our eyes caught. She straightened her spine and jutted her chin out, almost daring me to do something about whatever I’d just walked out to see.

She isn’t even on tonight. What the fuck is she doing here?