“I won’t. I’m not stupid, Vinnie. I won’t leave your sight, and we won’t linger, just go in and out and get what we need to. What do you want to buy her for her birthday though?”
“I was kind of hoping you’d have that under control,” Vinnie admits, glancing at me, then back at the road. “You’re a woman, she’s a woman, do you see where I’m going with this?”
I raise my eyebrow at him. “What do you normally get her?”
“Last year I got her a gift voucher for that makeup store she’s always spending all her money at.”
“How about a gold bracelet or something?” I suggest. “I guess it depends how much you want to spend. I can use my credit card, unless they’ve figured out my fake name by now and can trace me from it.”
“Why the fuck would I ask you to use your money?” Vinnie asks, sounding annoyed. “You don’t need your cards, or your father’s money. I can give you everything you need.”
“I have money,” I say, a little defensively. I don’t want him having to pay for everything for me, when I do have money put away. I don’t really like the idea of having a man look after me in that way. I prefer to be a little more independent, especially since my father passed away, there are shitloads of it sitting in the bank. His accounts are under his shell corporation, in my name in case something were to happen to him. I plan on giving away most of it to charity but to keep enough to buy myself a house and to support me until I can find a full-time job.
“I know you have money, Shay,” he says in exasperation. “But I want to take care of you, and I can. I have money too, you know. Not fuckin’ millions like you, but more than enough for us to live a good life.”
Sometimes he says things like he plans on us being together forever, and sometimes he acts like he has no idea what’s going on between us. To be honest, I don’t think he really knows what the hell the future will bring, and neither do I. I want him, more than anything, but it’s almost stupid to admit after such a short period of time, isn’t it? I’m keeping my thoughts to myself, but eventually we’re going to have to talk about this. Actions speak louder than words though, and he treats me like I’m his woman. I am his woman.
“You don’t have to take care of me,” I say, gentling my tone. “If I can access the money, I’m more than happy to contribute money toward everything. I don’t like the idea of you having to pay for everything; it just doesn’t sit right with me.”
He surprises me by chuckling.
“What’s so funny?”
“Just thinking about how spoiled and selfish I thought you’d be, but you’re nothing like that at all, as you keep proving to me over and over again. I’ll tell you what, let me take care of everything for now. When everything is a hundred percent safe, you do what you want with your money, but for right now, I’m going to take care of you. I’ll give you one of my cards, and you use it as you wish. You don’t have to ask me for shit; it’s yours—do whatever you want with it.”
That was actually really sweet. I can’t think of anything worse than having to ask him for money, so having my own card without any explanations is very thoughtful of him. Either way, I will be paying him back for every cent that I use.
“Okay,” I agree hesitantly.
“Spend whatever on Faye’s present, I don’t mind,” he continues, reaching his hand over to place the card on my thigh, rubbing his thumb in circular strokes. “Do tell me what’s on this list of yours.”
I glance down. “The present. Balloons. Birthday sign. Order a cake. I thought it would be easier just to get plastic plates, forks, cups, etcetera. And alcohol. I’m going to make some mocktails for Faye, since she can’t drink. The food we can get on Friday, or even Saturday morning.”
“We could get one of the DJs from Rift to come,” I suggest, knowing how much Faye loves to dance. “I think she’ll like that.”
“Excellent idea!” I beam at him. “That sounds awesome, Vinnie. So we’ll all hide out in the back, get Sin to lead her in.” I pause. “And hopefully she actually will be surprised.”
“Don’t underestimate her,” Vinnie says in a dry tone. “She’s a fuckin’ ninja.”
“I believe it,” I say, smiling. “So first stop . . . how about a jewelry store? Tiffany’s? Or maybe we can get her a designer bag, what woman wouldn’t love one of those?”
Vinnie cringes but nods his head in agreement. “I can’t even wait in the car while you run in because of those fuckin’ assholes looking for you. I swear, I’m going to kill them just because of this.”
I roll my eyes at how dramatic he’s being and lean over to press a kiss into his rough cheek. “You’ll survive, Vinnie. I’ll be as quick as I can.”
TWENTY-FIVE
Vinnie
I WAIT outside the store, watching everyone who enters and leaves. There’s only one entrance/exit so there’s nowhere else she could leave from, just in case someone decided to try something. Chances are slim, of course, but better to be safe than sorry.
My mind wanders to Shay, who is happily making an effort to give a woman she only just met a birthday surprise. I don’t think I’ve met anyone like her before. She’s always present, always eager to help. Usually upbeat, even though if I’m being honest, her life is in shambles right now.