Masquerade (Swept Away #2.5)(5)
“I don’t know.” I made a face. I had no interest in going to the ball.
“Steve will be there, and I want you to meet my girlfriend, Roma.”
“How is Steve?” I thought about the awkward young man who had worked for Bradley, Inc. since he was a teenager. Our father had taken him under his wing and Steve had almost become like a third brother—though neither David nor I really liked him and I was pretty sure the feeling was mutual. Guess that’s what passed for brotherhood in the Bradley family.
“He’s fine.” David’s voice was low. “Though if Bianca goes digging, she could upset the balance between us all. Steve especially.”
“Well, you know, the sins of men.” I looked through the window.
“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The sins of men always come back to haunt them.”
“So you’re not going to help me with Bianca?” He sounded angry now and I knew that I had wound him up too much. David was like a delicate flower. You had to be extremely careful when handling him or he would break.
“Oh, I’ll help you. We can talk this weekend, at the ball.”
“Great.” David sounded satisfied. “Oh, and Jakob?”
“Yes?”
“Bring a date.” And with that David hung up the phone. I sat back on the couch and looked around the opulent living room for a few seconds before smiling. Everything was coming into place; a little ahead of schedule, but I didn’t mind. I would finally get the revenge I’d been thinking about for what seemed like half my life. I’d take down London, Larry, and then David. I was saving David for last. The takedown of my brother would be the victory I’d savor the most.
two
“Jakob, some people say it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, I’m telling you that’s not true.” My mother’s face was anxious. “If I could take back having loved so hard, I would have.”
“It’s not your fault you loved Dad so hard.” I grabbed her hands. “He was a fool for letting you go. I’m sure he regrets it.”
“He was a fool.” She nodded. “But Jeremiah Bradley was not the only fool I knew, Jakob. Or the one who I blame for my broken heart. No, he was a weak man. Everything in his life dictated that money was more important. My only hope in life was that you weren’t poisoned by his greed and want any of his money.”
“Money is not the most important thing in the world, Mother. It’s what causes countries to go to war, and diseases to continue to flourish and people to starve.” My voice was passionate as I tried to show her that I wasn’t about the money. I wasn’t like my father. I wouldn’t make choices that would negatively affect her just so I could make money.
“You’re wrong, Jakob. Money is important. It’s the most important commodity in the world. Without money you’re no one. Life tells you what to do. With money, you decide your fate. With money, you make your own choices. Make it your goal to have money, my dear. I would hate for your life to be dependent on others.”
“But you said you don’t want us to take my father’s money. You said that . . .” My voice trailed off at the stern look on her face.
“You’re a smart boy, Jakob. I don’t want you taking your father’s blood money. His fortune is intended for David, anyway.”
“David doesn’t like me.” Even as a child I knew that my half brother didn’t have sentimental feelings for me. At first that had hurt, growing up around him, knowing he was my brother, even if he hadn’t known right away. Being the maid’s child in a rich environment had shown me just how the two halves lived. It had shown me that life was harder but simpler when you were poor. I didn’t have to want for anything that I needed, but I’d never been able to have the name-brand sneakers and clothes that my peers at Harrow Meade were able to afford. I was very much the pauper at the school, but that didn’t bother me. Maybe it was because I was a handsome boy, so girls were all over me; even while the boys taunted me, due to superiority and jealousy. It didn’t hurt that they all wanted to rebel against their rich and dominating fathers by dating the poor kid at school. That all changed once word got around that I was the illegitimate son of a banker, as cold with his child as he was with his figures. Then the whispers became about something else and people wondered if I was just eclectic and that was why I looked so poor.
“It doesn’t matter if David likes you.” She kissed my cheek. “Your mother loves you.”
“Don’t you ever want to get married?” I looked at her hesitantly, not wanting to hurt her feelings with my question.
“There was only one man I’ve ever loved enough to want to marry and he already was. I thought he loved me. I thought he wanted to be with me. I did things I’m not proud of. Things I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life. Things that keep me up at night.”
“What things?” I asked softly, staring at the pain in her eyes. “What happened, Mother?”
“Don’t worry your head about it. Just remember what I tell you. You’re a smart, handsome boy. You’re my life. Don’t make the mistakes that I made and don’t become your father. I want a different life for you, Jakob. I want you to travel the world. I want you to be happy. And if you ever fall in love, I want it to be with a woman who deserves your heart.”