Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“Tourists,” Seychelle whispered in Ambrielle’s ear. “The lifeblood of Sea Haven.”
“How can you tell?”
“The way they’re dressed. They’re artfully casual. We’re just casual. They have money; their clothes are designer; so are their purses. Look at the jewelry they’re wearing.” She put a hand over her engagement ring. “Savage insisted on this diamond. He says it matches my eyes. The stone in your ring is very special as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if those women would recognize Ice’s work if they saw it.”
Instinctively, Ambrie followed Seychelle’s lead and put her hand in her lap, ensuring if the women happened to glance toward the large table, they wouldn’t see her wedding and engagement rings.
“Czar,” Inez said. “I don’t want to take advantage in any way of Torpedo Ink, so if Lana is wrong, you let me know. Ambrielle is a financial advisor, and she offered to untangle the mess of my finances for me if it is at all possible. Everyone knows I have no money to pay her, but Lana said Ambrie is Torpedo Ink and the club still owes me a debt. I’m sitting here trying to figure out how that could be true.”
Her tone was painfully proud. Doris and Mama Anat, facing Czar and Blythe, looked as if they were going to fall out of their chairs to try to warn the president. Lizz leaned toward Inez as if she could somehow shield her.
Czar gave Inez a faint smile. “You really didn’t pay any attention at all to the paperwork I sent you, or anything said at the meetings, did you?”
“Czar.” Blythe’s reprimand was gentle. “No one likes those stuffy meetings, with the exception of Master.”
“I like them,” Jimmy said.
Ambrielle could tell by the shocked reaction of the members of Torpedo Ink that no one had expected the boy to talk. Even Reaper and Maestro flicked their gazes from the street to the boy for one brief moment. Blythe pressed her lips together, but not before Ambrielle could see that they were trembling. Even Savage, Keys and Destroyer reacted by slowly turning to look at the boy. Lana gripped Tessa’s wrist and Seychelle and Anya held hands hard enough that their fingers turned white.
“You do?” Czar’s tone was very casual, his voice pitched low. “What do you like about the meetings, Jimmy?”
“The numbers, mostly. Master explains them to me. He knows I like them. Inez has part interest—one-third, so she gets one-third of the profits. The profits should be reinvested back into the store, but only a percentage. Master invests part of Inez’s profits for her, so she makes more money.”
“Wait,” Inez interrupted, leaning across the table toward the aisle and Jimmy. “Does someone at the meeting say the Caspar market makes a profit?”
Jimmy nodded. “Master says it does. The numbers do, I mean.” He frowned and looked up at Czar. “Am I getting it mixed up?”
“No, that’s what Master tells us at the meeting. The market has been making a profit, and Miss Inez is a part owner, just like you said. I’m glad someone was paying attention.” Czar smiled at Inez. “I believe Ambrielle can straighten out your financials for you, Inez, without worrying. If the Sea Haven store isn’t turning a good profit for you, perhaps you might have Zyah take a look at what you’re doing there. She worked internationally for a large chain and has impeccable credentials. You should be making even better money in the Sea Haven store than we do at the Caspar one.”
Sabelia set the tea and scones in front of Blythe and Czar and a drink in front of Jimmy. “I know absolutely nothing about numbers, Jimmy. When I have to make my bank account add up correctly, I’m going to ask for your help. Do you charge money? Is that going to be your regular job?”
Jimmy shrugged and fell silent. Ambrielle had the feeling the child could maintain his silence for long periods of time. She looked to Seychelle for an explanation.
Seychelle leaned in close. “He doesn’t speak to anyone. Sometimes Emily—that’s another one of Czar and Blythe’s adopted children. But he doesn’t speak.”
Jimmy had indicated he’d spoken to Master, or rather Master had spoken to him, explaining how profits and investments went.
“How old is that boy?”
“He just had a birthday and turned seven.”
The two women had finished their shopping, paid for their lotions and oils and then found a table a little apart from the Torpedo Ink group, more toward the front near the bay windows. As Sabelia took their orders, two men entered. They hesitated just inside the doorway, suddenly noticing Reaper lounging against the wall. The bells shook and danced, the music a wild symphony of welcome. For no reason other than that hesitation, Ambrielle felt a small frisson of alarm creeping down her spine.