Page 52 of Shameless in Vegas

“I don’t have any independent income and neither does he,” she goes on. “So I was thinking we could use the money intended for a wedding to perhaps invest it in some kind of business venture that he and I could use to ultimately provide for ourselves.”

I’m squinting again, this time at my wife, becausehuh?

Abusiness venture?

Provideforourselves?

It makes so little sense that I’m rendered speechless.

Despite my sudden and rare inability to speak, Papá ispleased, and he chuckles jovially.

“Mijita, what a delight you are indeed.” He reaches across the table to pat her hand, and then gestures casually. “Your suggestion comes from a humble place, and I appreciate that. However, I have already built a large enough business venture that will provide for you both and all of my children for as long as they need. My expectation was that eventually Joaquin would fully abandon his ways of bachelorhood and come to work with me so I can prepare him to take over for me one day.” He chuckles again. “Perhaps you could assist me in convincing him to do that.”

“Uhhhh…” I point a finger gun at him. “I distinctly remember a time when you told me youweren’tgoing to give me that position. You said I would have to start at an entry-level position, andColinwas going to get that position.”

Colin cuts his eyes to us, suddenly bewildered. “Um, I turned down that position years ago.”

“Precisely.” Papá turns over his palms in a casual shrug. “Colin declined, you have shown me recently that you are committed to a mature change in your lifestyle, so now I’d prefer if we continued with the original plan. After all, originally, it was the stipulation for you receiving your inheritance. I think it’s suitable to reinstate that stipulation now that you are showing me a semblance of the responsibility you’re capable of.”

My jaw falls open, and every thought of the secrets between Natalia and I is suddenly gone with the wind. “What? My taking over at the company wastied to me getting my inheritance?”

“Yes,” he says easily. “I’m not in the business of rewarding anyone for doing nothing. Not even my own children.” He points at me. “Prior to this change of events, I was simply going to give youless. Now you have the opportunity and responsibility to earnall of it.”

I scoff, throwing my hand in the air and letting it drop in my lap. “Are you going to withhold Isla and Graciela and Lili’s inheritance iftheydon’t go to work for you?”

“No.” He nods at Lili, whose eyes are shifting uncomfortably. “Your sisters have a responsibility to marry well and in a way that behooves the company. Graciela has done that. Isla has, too. Lili will eventually.”

Lili slumps in her chair and groans. “Ugghh…this so archaic.”

“Yeah,” I underscore, raising my brows, “it kinda is.”

“Even people who are as privileged as we are must make sacrifices for the good of our family.” He presses his large index finger against his chest. “The sacrifices I made are far worse than you will ever be able to imagine. And I will not have entitled children who believe everything they desire in life will simply be handed to them.”

“If I may suggest an interim solution,” Natalia demurely speaks up, her lashes fluttering as she does another uncomfortable shift in her chair. “What if Joaquin and I took on a project to help us both learn discipline in our lifestyle to help prepare him for the discipline of going to work with you? For example, I’m sure your position requires you to be a good steward of your company’s assets. Perhaps Joaquin and I could pursue an effort that requires stewardship with our finances. Perhaps we could use a sum of money, such as one you allocate to us…” She gestures casually at the resort brochure in Elle’s hands. “The wedding budget perhaps, since neither of us are interested in having a real wedding. And we could use that to invest strategically and grow it into either our own nest egg or even learn to live on the interest.”

I shoot another incredulous look at her, because what the hell isthisall about? “Huh? I don’t want to invest in anything, and I definitely don’t want to try to live on a—”

“Mija.” Papá chuckles again, and he islovingthis. “You continue to astound me.” He wags his finger at me. “I think I like this idea,hijo. I think we should start on it soon. Perhaps Monday.”

I can’t even believe what I’m hearing right now, and I’m honestly kinda pissed at Natalia for throwing a wrench into my lifestyle like this. You know… beyond everythingelseshe’s here to do.

“I… but, I…” I stammer, words failing me in either language, because what thefuck? “I don’t even… you know… like, knowanythingabout investing! And Ijust boughta three-million-dollar condo! There’s no way I can start making dividends fast enough to cover the friggin’ monthly fees and annual property taxes. This is insanity!”

Papá laughs heartily like all of this is one big joke. “Sure you will,mijo. I will show you exactly what I do, and then you will do it. We will sit down with Bernard and get you all set up. You will be surprised how quickly a well-honed portfolio can grow.”

I scoff. “Who the hell isBernard?”

“Bernard Schuler,” he answers. “Over at Astor, Ziegler, and Co.” He hitches one of his thick shoulders. “He handles all my investments, equity, commodities, and hedge funds. He knows how to do it all, and he’ll do it all for you. There is nothing for you to worry about.”

“But… but… but, I…” I scoff again, gaping at him until…

Ohfuck.

I didnotfucking see that coming, andholy shit.

Natalia isgood.

Papá just handed her the information Xavier demanded on a silver fucking platter, and I didn’t evennoticebecause I was so blindsided by the idea of losing my bottomless allowance for the first time ever.

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