Jamie-5 (15 page)

The walk in pantry rivaled most grocery stores. It was a big as the entire townhouse that she and Pi had lived in until recently, and Pi’s entire house in China. It was forty feet long and twenty feet wide. There were shelves along every wall and a double one down the middle. The shelves where empty, but Dane had no doubt that when her grandmother was living, they were packed tight with staples and anything else that might be needed to feed an army. By the time they were coming back through the dining rooms, Jamie and Devin were coming down the stairs.

“There are twelve bedrooms down each hall, six on each side. Each room is as big as a small apartment. There’s even a fireplace in each room and a settee area. The beds are all stripped and the furniture is covered. The bathrooms have both a shower and a tub and a linen closet just inside the bath. We’re guessing the master suite is down here somewhere. Want to help us find it?” Jamie wiggled his brows at her and she laughed.

Before they found the master suite, they found two living rooms, a library, and a study.

There was a very masculine office next to the study that smelled of cigar smoke and cologne.

And they found what could only be the cloth room.

The room’s walls where covered in tapestry. Old and new, there must have been over a hundred of them. Some were behind glass. Others hung on antique hangers and had faded over time. There was a round chair that sat in the middle of the room that was white, as was the carpet on the floor. What little walls showed had pin striped silver and white wall paper. Dane remembered this room.

“Grandmother would come in here a couple of times a day. She said it was her paradisiacal room. She told me that when I got older, I’d need a room like this. She said I would need somewhere I could go and let the day’s events wash away. She told me my grandfather collected these for her. And that she could never part with them because of it.” Dane picked up one of the smaller pieces and held it to her cheek. It was softer than she thought it would be and she felt tears fill her eyes. Before she could turn away, Jamie walked up behind her and pulled her back against his chest. Closing her eyes, she leaned into him.

“Dane, do you think we could live here? It’s up to you, but I think you look happy here.

There are so many memories that you have. I know it’s big—hell, it’s fucking huge, but we can hire people to help run it.”

“James, I love you very much, but you know this can’t last. I’m a freak and I don’t want to hurt you. I know I will, but—”

“Dane, I love you too. And I’m going to tell you that every day for the rest of our lives.

We’ll hurt each other, I’m not so naive to think what we have is perfect, but I’m willing to give it my best shot. And if I hear you call yourself a freak again, I’m going to put soap on your tongue.”

They both laughed and he turned her in his arms. The kiss was gentle, a whisper of a touch as he brushed over her lips. Then after another touch, he deepened the kiss and touched his tongue to hers. Hunger consumed her; need to touch and to be touched surged over her. Groaning deep in her chest, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body to his. When he reached down and lifted her by her ass, she wrapped her legs around his hips and tightened around him. His answering growl moved along her veins like heated molten lava.

“Christ, I can’t get enough of you. I find myself looking for places to ram you up against and fuck every second I’m around you. I’m getting to the point where I almost don’t care who’s around when I do it either. Let’s find the master bedroom and break it in right now.”

“Uhhh, Jamie, you might want to wait on that,” Devin said from behind them. “There is a security officer here to see the owner of the house. Seems that Martin didn’t tell me there was an alarm system. He’s right now calling in back up. Pi is going at him with a broom.” Dane took off running and only got lost once. By the time she skidded to a stop in the front hall, Pi was on the floor in cuffs and Ronnie was screaming that she was going to have his badge by the end of the day. It might have been funny if Dane had not been so embarrassed—both by the guard and Devin overhearing her and James.

“This is my house. If you could let my…my mother go then I’ll show you some identification. These are my attorneys, Devin and Veronica Grant. My grandmother Savannah Sharp left this to me and this is the first time I’ve been out to see it.”

“The alarm went off and we had no prior knowledge of anyone being here, Miss…Messenger. I’m sure you understand that we—”

“Actually, I don’t. Understand I mean.” Dane’s voice was sharp and hard. “We’ve been here for a good hour and you’re just now showing up? That doesn’t bode well for the security of this home, do you think? I mean, what if I had been living here already? Could I expect the same sort of service from your firm? Mr. Grant, if you could make note for us to find another firm as soon as possible then—”

“Now see here. This is our beat and we take care of—” The officer sputtered.

“When I speak, you will not interrupt me. I pay the bills, not you. As soon as I start to work for you, then you can say all you want and I’ll listen. Now, I want you off my property right now. And if I don’t have a formal written apology from you and your firm by end of business day Monday on the way you’ve treated my mother and my home, I will sue your ass. Then not only will you be out of a job, but every member of your ‘back-up’ will as well. Have I made myself perfectly clear?”

She didn’t think he was going to answer. She was also afraid that he might. Just when she was going to back off, he did.

“Yes, ma’am, I understand. I’ll let my superiors know that you have made demands…requests to that effect immediately. But in my defense, I was—”

“You’d do well to leave well enough alone. I’m in no mood to fuck with you anymore today. Leave or I’ll send my hounds after you. And by hounds, I mean the best attorneys in the state.”

He left without another word and when he pulled out of the drive, Dane was surprised that he did not spin his tires, but he drove out sedately and within the speed limits. Grabbing the back of the chair next to her, she dropped into in and put her head between her knees.

“Wow, remind me never to piss you off. I think you left claw marks he’ll feel for a very long time. I think you’d better find yourself a new security firm quick. I doubt they’ll be making a quick trip out here for anything. Unless it’s to watch the house burn down,” Ronnie said as she sat on the floor in front of her. “You all right, honey?”

“No. Yes. I think so. Maybe. I can depend on you two, right? I mean as my attorneys? I know that the estate is big, I’m not sure how big, but I’ll need someone I can depend on. Will you do it for me?”

“Dane, honey, we should talk before you decide that. This estate isn’t big, it’s massive,” Devin said above her. “I’ve never handled anything this big before. You might be better off going to a bigger firm for them to keep it straight for you.”

“How much is it, Devin? Mr. Dexter told you, didn’t he? Tell me.” He looked uncomfortable. Dane was afraid it was bad, very bad.

“Honey, you should really do this in—”

“Tell me, damn it!” she snapped. “I’m tired of people treating me like some sort of idiot.

How much is it worth?”

“Eight billion. Everything? Its seven point seven four billion dollars. You’re not rich, Dane, you’re scary rich. That’s what Martin said anyway.” Devin smiled. “I think he might be right.”

“Holly carp, Missy Dane! We buy two houses.”

~CHAPTER 16~

Jamie looked over at Dane and waited for her to say something. Anything. He was not sure what he could say; the numbers kept circling around in his head like a merry-go-round. Even as a math professor, he was having a difficult time visualizing eight billion dollars. When she stood up and sat down again for the second time, he turned to the wall of glasses and opened the cabinets beneath it. Perfect.

Pouring her a half a tumbler of the dark liquid, he handed it to her. “Here, baby, drink this.” He should have said sip, but by the time he’d realized that, Dane had tossed the bourbon back like a pro. Coughing hard did not stop her from glaring at him.

“I need to take a walk. No, I need to…can I borrow your car?” She looked at him. “I need to get away for just a few…for just a little while. I won’t be gone long.” Jamie wanted to go with her, but knew that she needed to work this out on her own.

Reaching into his pants, he handed her the keys. When she leaned in and kissed him, he wanted to shout to the world, but simply kissed her again.

“Missy Dane, we sleep here tonight? I find sheets. We make big party. I order pizza from Daddy place. Okay?” Pi said, just a little nervous.

“Yes, I’ll pick it up on my way…I just realized I don’t have any money. I have more money than I’ll ever spend in my lifetime and I don’t have a single penny on me.” Her laughter scared Jamie a little and when he started to reach for her, Ronnie pulled out her purse.

“Come on, Dane. you and I will go visit a friend. Devin, you and Jamie fix up a few bedrooms. I’ll call the nanny and have her bring Marie here. Pi, why don’t you see what you need in the kitchen in the way of groceries? Then tomorrow we’ll go shopping for whatever you need.”

When Ronnie leaned in and kissed him, she whispered in his ear that she would take good care of her. With a quick kiss on the cheeks, both women were gone. Jamie looked over at his brother who looked pole axed.

“So, do you think she’s good for the money?” Devin looked at him for several seconds then threw back his head and laughed. The tension was broken but not the bomb.

“I have a client worth more than all of our combined assets. Christ, wait until I tell Nicky.

He’ll shit a brick. I’ll have to hire an accountant and someone just to watch over her money.

Holy shit, eight billion.”

“Yeah, that’s a lot.” He started up the stairs, not caring if he followed or not. She was worth more than anyone he knew. And this house…how the hell could he expect her to stay with him, a lowly teacher, when she had all this.

“Jamie?” Devin yelled as Jamie cleared the stairs. “What’s up? You don’t think she’s going to change, do you? My God, that woman loves you. Why I have no idea, but there you have it.

This isn’t going to change her. You have to believe that.”

“Yeah, sure. Let’s get her house put together. I never did find the master bedroom. Do you think she’ll want to—”

“Jamie, look at me.” Devin turned him around. “She loves you. This won’t change anything.

It’s not going to change the woman that she is.”

“Sure it will, Devin. Like she said, she has more money than she can spend in several lifetimes. I’ll fix up the bedroom down here. I just need a few minutes. I’ll be all right.” He hurt. His heart felt…trampled. He did not know if it was because she wanted to be alone and had taken Ronnie, or that she did not want him with her. He walked into the biggest bedroom he’d ever seen and sat on the unmade bed. Even this room screamed money. Laying back, he closed his eyes.

~~~

They’d been driving for about ten minutes when Dane realized she was with Ronnie. She looked over at the other woman and frowned. How the hell did that happen? She supposed that it was a good thing she was not driving.

“Where are we going? I don’t remember leaving the house. Pizza, I remember pizza. Why are you driving?” Dane looked around. She had no clue where they were.

“I have money, you don’t. I was wondering if you’ve talked to Cait. She feels really bad about what happened to you that day. I know that you and her have a history, but I think you two need to clear the air. Especially now.”

“Why especially now?” Dane looked out the windows. “You know I’ve never met a nosier bunch of people in my life as you guys. Are there any boundaries you guys don’t cross? All I wanted to do was keep a man from getting killed and my past has come up and snapped my butt, I’ve had my apartment trashed, and now I’m going to visit someone who hates me. I’m not saying you guys are to blame for all that, but still.” Truth be told, she really couldn’t blame them for any of it, but she was rambling. A person did not have to make sense when they rambled. If there wasn’t a rule about that, there should be.

“Especially now that you and Jamie are getting married,” Ronnie went on. “You are going to marry him, aren’t you? They can be pushy at times, the Grant men, but they love you more than you’ll ever be loved or ever hope to be loved.” Dane wondered who left this woman in charge and realized that no one would have left her in charge. She’d have knocked the crap out of the person in the front of the line and taken over. Probably killed the other leader with one fist tied behind her back.

“Hold on a second there! Married? I don’t think so. Married? Why would he want to marry me? As my mother used to say…fuck her. She didn’t love me, why should I quote her? I don’t think James had any plans in making our…relationship? Whatever it is, I don’t think he plans to make it permanent. We’re having a great time in bed. Yeah, we love each other, but that doesn’t mean…why would he want to marry me?” Dane felt her heart pound in her chest. Marry?

“You know you keep asking me that,” Ronnie said with a laugh. “Maybe you should ask him. And loving someone is a great reason to marry someone. Is it the money? I would imagine that would make a difference in someone’s life, but Jamie has had money all his life. And you too for that matter. What’s a few billion between lovers?”

“The money? No, I don’t care about the money. It just makes it so we can do what we want when we…you know, you’re scary. I am not marrying James. Besides, it’s a moot point. He’s never asked. I would think that’s a pretty important thing when two people make the decision to get married, don’t you? One of them should ask the other? What are you doing now?” They had pulled up in front of the hospital. Dane had a scary thought that Ronnie was going to knock her block off and then throw her out of the door as she zoomed past. She really needed to take a break here. These sort of thoughts were nuts.

“Get out. Cait’s room is two thirty-four. She might have little Paddy in there so try not to piss her off too much. It might sour her milk. Go up there and play nice. I’ll be back in an hour.