Page 23 of Queen of Diamonds
His dad laughed. “Trust me, I’ve considered it.”
Although it was an ongoing joke between them, Rand wouldn’t be at all upset if his parents divorced. They might as well be. His mother lived in one wing of the house and his father in the other. They led their own lives and rarely saw each other, except for the events where she would appear on his arm, seeming to be a loving wife. Regina Stevens liked her husband’s money too much to ever leave him, and his father for some reason seemed content with the way things were.
Helena entered, carrying a tray, and Rand stood and took it from her. “Thank you.” She smiled, then left, closing the door behind her. After setting the tray on his father’s desk, he picked up the cup of coffee and two still-warm chocolate chip cookies. Helena always made those for him when she knew he would be visiting. His father took the crystal tumbler containing the finest scotch whiskey money could buy.
Rand sipped on the coffee that had the exact amount of cream and sugar that he liked. He wondered what Kinsey would think of his father’s mansion. She’d thought it was strange that he owned a biker bar but didn’t like motorcycles or drink, and he supposed it was. What would she think if she knew just how big his family’s bank account was? Between him and her brothers, she’d had some unusual men come into her life. Her reaction when Nate has flashed his badge had been priceless.
“What has you smiling?”
Rand glanced at his dad. “Just thinking of something. You summoned me. I’m here. What’s up?”
“I shouldn’t have to summon you just to see you.”
“If you’d stop trying to talk me into coming to work for you, I’d make an appearance more often.” Rand loved his dad but wished he could understand that Rand would never be happy heading up Stevens Enterprises.
His father stared into his glass for a few seconds, then lifted his gaze to Rand. “It was bad enough that you didn’t take your rightful place in the company, but pretending to own a biker bar… that is what you’re doing, right? Tell me you didn’t really buy that place.”
Rand was only aware of two people in Miami who seemed to know everything there was to know. One was Nate, the other the man sitting across from him. “You really need to stop spying on me and keep your nose out of FBI business. Yes, I’m working undercover there. It wasn’t my choice of an assignment, but you go where you’re told.”
“Son, I worry every day that I’m going to get a visit from your boss telling me that—”
“And I could walk out your door in a few minutes and get hit by a bus.”
“There are no buses on my street.” His dad sniffed in distaste.
Rand laughed. “Yeah, well, you know what I mean.” He set his empty coffee cup on the table next to him. “I’m as careful as I can be, Dad. The thing is, I love my job.” He’d told Harlan this every time the subject of him leaving the FBI came up, but he understood his father’s concern.
“And I’m doing something important. Maybe someday I’ll decide it’s time to quit and come onboard with you, but today isn’t it.”
“Can you at least ask your new boss… Nate Gentry, is it?” As if his dad didn’t know that for a fact. Rand nodded. “Ask him to take you off undercover work? Besides, you’re a Stevens, and owning a biker bar, even if it is pretend, isn’t good for the family name.”
“Since I’m undercover, I doubt it will be a problem.” If he admitted that his undercover days were coming to an end as soon as Nate found someone to take Rand’s place, his father would start recruiting a replacement for him tomorrow.
“Maybe so, but I don’t have to like it.”
“No, you don’t.” Rand eyed his dad. “You didn’t ask me to stop by to rehash my employment with the FBI. What’s on your mind?”
“I need you to attend the Friends of the Library Ball.”
“Because?” Rand braced himself. There was always a reason behind the favors his father asked.
“You’re the plus one for Deidre Cummings. And don’t even try to come up with an excuse. It’s time you crawled out of your hole and started living again, son.”
A woman with black hair and smoky brown eyes flashed through his mind. “Funny you should say that. I’ve been thinking the same thing the last few days. But I don’t need you to recruit women for me. I’m capable of finding my own dates.”
“Too late. I’ve already confirmed that you’ll escort her.”
A prime example of why Harlan was so successful. He just ploughed right through any barriers in his way until he got the results he wanted. “Let me guess. You’re either trying to buy her father out, merge with his company, or—”
“The first one, but that’s irrelevant. She’s a beautiful woman, understands our lifestyle, and would be perfect for you. I’m not asking you to marry her, just go out and enjoy yourself for a change.”
“You just described Olivia, and that didn’t work out so well, did it?” His father was conveniently forgetting his own background and the days when he didn’t have two coins to rub together. He wondered what Harlan would think of Kinsey.
“It would have if not for…” His dad lowered his gaze for a moment, then lifted eyes that reflected the same sadness Rand lived with every day. “I miss Zoe, too. But it’s time to crawl out of your cave, son. You’ll take Deidre to the ball, and you will enjoy yourself.”
Rand didn’t doubt his dad was hurting at the loss of his granddaughter. Even though it was the last thing he wanted to do, the tears in his father’s eyes had him agreeing. “Okay. Give me Deidre’s phone number. I’ll call her and make the arrangements.”
“I know you resent my pushing you to do this, son, but I’m only doing it for your own good,” Harlan said as he walked Rand to the door. “It’s a father’s right to worry about his child.”
