Page 194 of Savage Suit
She gave me a violent look. “If Mr. Andrews doesn’t work with you onLa Nostalgie, my time here will be over since I’m not going to Paris. I was hired for Amage.”
Fuck, she was right. That’s what I wanted.
Wasn’t it?
“Until I find another position, I guess you can rest easy.”
Ifshe found another position. I wasn’t above interfering with any possibilities. If she didn’t work here until I convinced her to retire, I’d see to it she wasn’t employed anywhere else.
She studied her hands. “By the way, Mr. Keegan, don’t use your vast network of white-collar thugs to hinder my prospects.”
To keep that from happening, I came up with another idea. “When I call Boyd, I will ask if he can convince the others to allow your presentation at their New York office, Ryan.”
Hope flared in her eyes and her sweet smile eased me. “Would you care to know why I’m so set on a certain figure for my personal wealth? You’ve never asked.”
“I saw no need. Money rules the world, so why wouldn’t you want such security?”
“It’s a different type of security I seek, Noah,” she whispered. “My parents left their house to Armani. When I turned eighteen, she said I didn’t have to move. Maybe she was sincere. Her husband didn’t,doesn’t, like me. You saw how he runs the house. The first chance he got, he would’ve thrown me out, not caring if I was homeless. Dakotamighthave taken Logan in as the baby of the family. Meaning I would’ve left Quinn to Armani, who didn’t want that responsibility.” She lowered her lashes. “I don’t ever want to worry about having a roof over my head or eating. I want to buy a house and have money saved for repairs and upkeep.”
I hated she bared her soul in front of others. Were we alone, I could’ve sworn she’d never have to worry again and taken her in my arms to kiss away her despondency. We had an audience, so I remained practical. “Are you sure Quinn isn’t wrapped up in your goal?”
“Isn’t she always?”
“Quinn’s a grown woman. She knows you love her and will always be there for her. Let her live her life, so you can be free to live yours. You don’t fret over Logan as you do Quinn. How many years separate you?” I already knew from my background check. “All three of you.”
“I’m five years older than Logan and three years older than Quinn.”
“Not an enormous gap for you to mother her as you do.”
“I worry about Logan. Not as much as I do Quinn. She took the deaths of our parents hard. She had nightmares and fell into a deep depression. I thought I was going to lose her. Ihadto be her mother figure. Armani had her kids and husband. They were her priorities. Logan grieved for Mama. He rarely spoke of our father. Quinn wanted to be with Daddy. She wanted togoto him.” The tears glistening in her eyes turned them silver. “I swore to my parents if they could hear me and helped me to save Quinn, I’d always take care of her, no matter the cost.” She sniffled and swiped at escaping tears. “I was afraid they wouldn’t listen to me. They died angry and disappointed in me, so I didn’t know if their punishment would take Quinn from me.”
Rosa swiped at her wet cheeks.
“I don’t know hownotto mother Quinn. Maybe it’s a crutch.”
No maybe in it.
“You think so.”
I couldn’t judge Ryan’s tone, so I didn’t deny or confirm.
“I see it on your face, Noah,” she said with a sad smile. “Just say it.”
“Your treatment of Quinn is a crutch,” I said carefully. “One you needed since you had no one to worry about your well-being.”
She nodded. “I never wanted Quinn to worry or to feel any shame at however she conducted her life. When our parents were alive, she was quieter. We couldn’t wear makeup or heels until after our sixteenth birthdays. They monitored our reading material. We had one computer that Quinn, Logan, and me shared. We each got five hours a week. For every rule we broke or poor grade we received, they subtracted fifteen minutes from our allotted time.”
Considering her upbringing, her sunny disposition amazed me.
“I don’t want money for money’s sake, Noah. I want it for safety and security. Not only for me, but for Quinn and Logan too.”
I nodded but said nothing. She was softening toward me again and I knew she’d made her decision. “You’re not going to Paris, correct?” I had to make sure.
“No,” she said with a sad sigh, and her lips turned down with unhappiness. “I would prefer knowing the entire story. Something deeper made you go ballistic. However,La Nostalgiemeans everything to you. You’re extremely competitive and you’re chomping to beat Sauncier. Yet, you’ll give up both. For me. That swayed me to change my mind. I want to go. I wish I would’ve seen pride, encouragement, and excitement in your eyes. Heard it in your voice.”
She made me feel so fucking low. I wanted to tell her there’d be many opportunities for business trips, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. A working environment left her vulnerable in so many ways.
“If it was just about traveling…” Her voice trailed off and she gave an indignant sniff. “I understand your trauma, so either you could’ve come with me, or I would’ve gone on my own.”
