Page 28 of The Protégé

The list ranged from wealthy individuals to corrupt politicians with skeletons in their closets. We all had them, but some were worse than others. These people valued their money and materialistic belongings more than anything else, and the best way to punish them was to take what mattered most to them.

Over the years I’d stolen from murderers, child molesters, and corrupt business executives who committed heinous crimes. The world was a corrupt place, and it made me feel better to know I had a part in righting a wrong.

I skated on the slim line between vigilante and villain. But that was how I got shit done.

Sometimes I sold the goods to the black market and donated the money to a good cause anonymously. Other times I kept the artifact if it interested me.

I went into my garage and pulled out my duffle of supplies when Jasper called me.

“Why are you calling me again? I already told you I’m not selling the island.” Emotions were already high, and I wasn’t in the mood to entertain him.

“C’mon, why not? What are you doing on that island anyway? My boat sailed past it. Why do you need security around a construction site?”

“Because of people like you. I don’t want my cousin getting injured because he thinks he’s invincible.”

He snorted. “You building some astronomy shit?”

“Watch your mouth,” I said calmly. “Remember what happened the last time you insulted my mother?” The asshole was testing my patience or simply stupid.

“Man, you’re too serious. I didn’t mean it that way.”

Oh, you did, Jasper. I know you.

“I’m glad we’re clear about that. Astronomy is too complex for simple minds like yours. It’s okay that you don’t understand it. Don’t insult it. It could be the very thing that stops you from achieving your dreams.” I gathered patience. “Just a tip from one businessman to another—don’t disrespect another man’s interest. Especially a man who has what you want.”

I could imagine the annoyance on his face. He wasn’t used to people talking down to him. I wasn’t one of his fake friends who buttered him up just so they could use him.

Jasper didn’t care about protecting the Reimann legacy. But I did. I didn’t want a family squabble to be in the next celebrity gossip magazine. Jasper had paid off many people to keep his shit from getting to the press. But I knew every time he got arrested from bar fights, drove under the influence, got caught doing drugs, or acted inappropriately with women in public. The list was too long and my temple throbbed.

If I continued talking to him, I might not perform what I had to do today.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, let me know.”

“Nothing’s gonna change,” I said firmly.

“Why are you so stubborn?” he asked.

Why are you such an idiot?

“In business, you need to learn when to let things go. It’s not beneficial to cling to an unsuccessful venture. There’s nothing that’s going to make me sell Quintile Island.”

The more he couldn’t have it, the more he wanted it. This was his MO.

“There’s an island for sale near Bora Bora. I’m going to put in a bid.”

After a pause, he said, “I already did.”

I smiled at the obvious lie. This information wouldn’t be public for two more weeks. But he could purchase that island for all I cared. It was well past time for him to focus on something else.

“Okay. Good luck.”

My mom had purchased this island and left it to me when she passed. Nothing in this world would make me sell it.

“Haven’t you heard that persistence pays off? I’m going to buy my own island and build an amazing tourist attraction.”

“Persistence in the right direction pays off. But in the wrong direction, it would lead you off the cliff or into a dead end.”

He laughed. “Man, you’re morbid. You need to go out and have fun. Want me to introduce you to some ladies? You like them big or small?”

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