Page 80 of King of Wrath
“Can I ask you a question?” I say as we turn the corner and start up the stairs.
“Anything.”
“What is your role at Kincaid Enterprises?”
“Security,” he answers with a wink.
“Oh. That is helpful,” I grip his fingers tighter as I move closer, pressing closer to his side.
“You know what Mason does. Roman runs the casinos, Leo the nightclubs, and Luke is in charge of the construction of the underground tunnel that will connect our various casinos with those of the families that partner with us. It’s that project that began your father’s demise because Mason intentionally left the Diamond out of the plans, devaluing the property.”
I’d heard scraps of this in the house.
“Luke is in charge of that project? I had assumed it was Mason.”
“His plan, he got all the permitting. But the actual building of the tunnel goes to Luke. He got a degree in engineering and everything.”
My eyes widen in surprise. They really aren’t the typical gangsters Vegas is filled with otherwise.
“And Mason?”
“Yeah. All the schooling at only the best,” Jake says, as he slides my hand from his left to his right so that he can put his arm around me. “Dartmouth. Harvard Law School.”
“And you?”
He shakes his head, but I see the grimace. “Old-school gangster, remember?”
“But how did you learn all the modern technology then?”
He squeezes my hip. “It’s interesting so I studied it all myself. If I had it to do over, I’d get a formal degree, though. I’d develop technologies instead of just using them.”
I cock my head. “Why not do it now?”
He raises his brows. “My share in Kincaid is worth over a billion dollars.”
I nearly trip. “Wait. A billion?”
He stops in the hall. “Yeah, sweetheart. A billion. I was going to sell my shares. Open my own company. But with you joining us, I think I’ll stay.”
“Jake…”
He gives me a soft smile. “Don’t think I’m giving something up. I’ve actually gained all the perspective I needed.”
“You’re sure?”
“Very. Which means whatever dreams you have after this is all over, are yours for the taking.”
My mouth opens and closes. I lick my suddenly dry lips. “So, if I wanted to try my hand at singing?”
“I’ll have Leo book you in our clubs. I’d say that you’d need to audition, but I’ve heard you. You’ll bring the crowds for sure.”
I blink at him. “Jake?”
“Yeah?”
“I think having a billion dollars means you get to do whatever you want. If you want to study, develop technology, you should. Mason’s a smart guy, I bet you could sell him on the fact that it would be to his advantage.”
His chin draws back as he stares down at me. “So you, at twenty, are going to work, and me, at thirty-five, is going to go to school?”