Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
S he walked into Apex Asset Management, an investment company that handled more than one trillion dollars in assets. Lyle had been working here ever since she’d known him and risen quickly through the ranks. The office was a glorified man cave. Dim lighting, dark browns and black. As she made her way toward the receptionist, she was surprised when the woman waved at her as if she were a regular. Assuming she must have her mixed up with someone else, Jasmine paused at the desk to ask about Lyle’s availability as the woman put the phone back in the cradle.
“He’s free.”
Jasmine blinked. “Who is?”
The receptionist, who was around her father’s age, gave her a warm smile. “Mr. Caruso, of course. I’d know you anywhere. You’re the spitting image of your gorgeous sister.”
Her eyes widened at that whopper of a lie, but she didn’t bother to contradict the woman. She was just relieved Lyle was present and able to have a visitor. She waved behind her at whatever security accompanied her. “They’re with me.”
The receptionist nodded kindly and gestured her back to the maze of offices.
It had been years since she’d visited Lyle at work, but he still had the same impressive corner office. He stood in the doorway in a crimson dress shirt that complimented his dark complexion. As usual, he wore no tie, and the top button was undone.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” he said and opened his arms.
The relief she felt when he hugged her nearly made her break down. This was what she’d gone to Roth’s office for. The kiss Lyle pressed on top of her head made her lips quirk in a sad smile. No matter how old she was, he always treated her like a little girl. Sometimes, it irritated her, but on a day like today when she felt lost, the gesture was comforting.
“I’m happy you’re free,” she said as he closed the glass door and gestured her to a chair.
“I just got off an hour-long conference call.” He perched on the edge of his desk in front of her. “I always book gaps in case something comes up. What brings you here?”
“I was in the area,” she said with an airy wave of her hand. “I thought I’d drop by to bother you.”
He focused on something above her head. “They go everywhere with you?”
She glanced back to see Johan and an additional guard had taken seats in the waiting area. The guard she was unfamiliar with scanned the luxurious environment alertly, while Johan made no pretense about the fact he was focused exclusively on their interaction. Could he lip-read? Was he going to document Lyle’s expressions as they talked, with time stamps?
She turned back to Lyle. “Roth insists they shadow me wherever I go.”
“I’m glad he takes your safety seriously.”
“Colette doesn’t have a security team,” she pointed out.
“She only visits two buildings—home and the office. Occasionally, she does business lunches and attends functions, but she’s rarely alone. You, however, could be anywhere at any given time. You’re also the type to attract a sicko. I’m glad Roth has it covered, so I can sleep better at night.”
“Sicko?” she echoed.
He ignored her question and gave her an amused look. “You’ve been causing quite the stir, haven’t you, Minnie?”
“Stir?” she parroted, bewildered. “I haven’t been doing anything.”
“Your recent investments are far from nothing,” he drawled, making her straighten in alarm.
“You know about my investments?”
“You can’t make moves in my territory, cara , without me hearing about it,” he chided. “You’re a Hennessy. What you do will always be noteworthy. If that weren’t bad enough, you’re now the wife of the man who has the Midas touch when it comes to picking the right investments. And when you start pouring millions into certain stocks, everyone’s going to sit up and take notice.”
She felt the blood drain from her face. “Everyone thinks he’s feeding me insider information?”
“Of course.”
“He...” She felt a little faint. “He has nothing to do with the investments I’ve been making.”
“What do you mean?” he asked sharply.
“I reunited with friends from Whartons and met with a financial advisor. I wanted to diversify my portfolio, so I chose companies I thought...” She trailed off at his incredulous look. “What?”
“You’re investing millions based on advice from your financial advisor and your friends’ say-so when you’re married to one of the most successful investors of our generation.”
When he put it like that, it sounded ridiculous. She balled her hands into fists on her lap. “I think it’s best if we keep our marriage separate from business. I don’t want to take advantage of him just because...”
His snort stopped her speech. “Minnie, that’s the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard. You’re married to the man. Asking for advice in his field of expertise isn’t taking advantage of him—it’s expected. Besides, men want their women to ask them for shit.”
“I want to do this on my own! I can do it on my own. I don’t want to lean on him when I have resources at my fingertips.”
Lyle leaned forward, his gaze direct and flinty with temper. “Minnie, he is your greatest resource.” When her stubborn expression remained, he rose, muttering under his breath in Italian as he paced. “Worst thing Maximus ever did was teach you girls you have to do everything on your own. He should have made you into a team. Instead, he made you each other’s competition and the rest of the world the enemy. I finally had to sit Colette down and explain to her in plain fucking English that I’m on her side. I always have been.” He whirled to face her. “And I’m on your side too.”
“I know that,” she said quietly.
“I can’t believe Roth hasn’t tried to interfere.”
If Lyle knew about her activities, there was no way he didn’t know. Aside from the daily observation reports, Roth couldn’t miss the printouts scattered over the kitchen island. If he’d asked a single question about her suddenly hectic schedule or the financial reports she was poring over, it would have given her the opportunity to discuss her investments, but he hadn’t.
“He’s preoccupied with a project,” she said defensively, adding, “I would have thought you of all people would be happy he isn’t butting into what I do with my money. You’re the one who wanted to look over my prenup.”
He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “The prenup is ironclad. The hundred-million-dollar settlement you’d get if you divorced is unheard of. No man would put that into a marriage contract unless he was in it for the long haul. Even a billionaire wouldn’t part with one hundred million if he could help it.”
Roth’s tactic to lull her family into believing their marriage wasn’t one of convenience had paid off.
“There are countless things about your husband that put me on edge, but business isn’t one of them. Hell, even I’m taking advantage. When I heard about the deal he’s negotiating in Los Angeles, I called him.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “You did?”
“He said if it goes through, he’d let me in.” He glanced distractedly at his computer. “He’s supposed to go this week, right?”
“Today,” she said faintly. “When did you call him?”
“A little over a week ago.”
She turned her head and looked out at the view. “It looks like it’s going to snow.”
“It’s supposed to. Winters come on hard and fast this year.” He surveyed her serene expression suspiciously. “You should talk to him about what you’re doing with your money. I guarantee he won’t feel like you’re overstepping some silly boundary. He’ll be happy you’re confiding in him.”
She nodded even though she wouldn’t. She didn’t want to be like everyone else, constantly asking him for financial advice. This was what she’d gone to school for; what her family had been doing for generations. She could do this on her own.
Lyle shook his head as he slipped his hands into his pockets. “The way you Hennessy women think is whacked.”
“You have no idea what I’m thinking.”
“I can read you like a book.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, even though her insides felt like lead. “How’s Polara?”
The smile that lit up his face tugged at her heartstrings. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me outside of Colette. My schedule’s a mess because I don’t like being away from her.”
“I’m so happy for you. At Thanksgiving, you and Colette seemed so...”
“We’re better than ever,” he said smugly. “I knew having a baby would break down her walls. She’s a natural mother.”
“It looks good on her,” she agreed. “But what happens when she goes back to work?”
He flicked his hand dismissively. “Ariana seems to be handling the company just fine. I’m hoping Colette will either step down from her position or get out altogether. I’d like more kids and to have them close in age if possible.”
Her blood ran cold. Ariana was hanging on by a thread, and judging by what Colette had shared at Thanksgiving, she was nowhere near done with Hennessy tried too hard to integrate herself into his schedule? Despite the unholy hour, she’d joined him a few more times at the gym, hoping for the same results when they returned to the penthouse. No such luck. In fact, the last time she went, he left without telling her. By the time she got back to the penthouse, he was gone. She hadn’t tried to mirror his schedule after that and filled her days to keep herself occupied.
And now this. She wanted to throw her arms around him and beg him not to do this. She felt like she was losing everything again. Him, her family... Her eyes filled with tears. She willed him to come to her and kiss her; to reassure her they still had each other, and she meant something to him.
“Is...?” She swallowed hard. “Is there anything I can do?”
There was no mistaking the tears in her voice.
He kept his back to her as he answered with a definitive, “No.”
His rejection hit harder than it should have. She’d had hours to prepare, and still, the pain took her breath away. As the first tear fell, she started toward the opposite hallway leading to the master suite. She’d embarrassed herself enough.
“Endanger yourself and my men by mindlessly running into traffic, I’ll keep you locked in this penthouse or shackled to someone when you’re in public. I don’t give a fuck who sees.”
She halted with her back to him. “I mindlessly ran into traffic because I was desperate to see my husband. I had this foolish notion he would give me a hug and reassure me everything was going to be okay. I was wrong. I won’t be so foolish in future.”
She walked down the hallway with as much dignity as she could muster, willing him to come after her, to engage, so they wouldn’t repeat old habits. But when she reached the bedroom and turned, he’d disappeared.
She didn’t sleep. She lay in bed, her heart heavy, mind in turmoil. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she made her way to his office, determined to discuss what was going awry between them, but he wasn’t there. She called his cell phone. Once again, it went straight to voice mail. She didn’t leave a message. There was no need. She finally got it.