Naughty & Nice (Merry Elf-Mas 2)

Chapter 13

Rolly

I t was cute how Angel thought he could pull with wool over my eyes. If I hadn’t seen that devastated look of longing as he gazed at the store, I might have let things slide. I saw it and had the power to fix things, so that was what I planned to do.

I didn’t know what was going on with the arson case. It was odd that Angel hadn’t gotten his money, but there had to be a reason. If money was the thing holding him back from his dreams, then I knew where to get some. Which was how I found myself driving to that vacant shop to meet Jack. There were advantages to having a rich nephew-in-law.

As I cruised through the city streets, my mind wandered to that night I’d picked the boys up at the club. The things that had gone on that evening had caused a seismic shift in our relationship. My poor pup had looked so ill but had perked right up at the word home.

In the short time we’d been together, I’d learned that was what Damon needed. A home, and I was more than happy to give him a loving one. From the tidbits I’d picked up, I knew neither of my boys had love-filled childhoods. That might be what led them into pet play, but that was just my armchair psychology opinion.

Whatever it was, Damon had been even more affectionate and had even dropped the L bomb. That had taken me by surprise. Not that love had a trial period or time limit, but this thing between the three of us was still pretty new.

This was just my hunch, but I think me and Angel saying it at the club had spurred him to say it. I know when Angel had said he loved me; it was out of a drunken impulse. He didn’t mean it the way I wanted him to. When I’d said it back, I meant it, but they didn’t need to know that. I was too old to play games, and if I felt I loved these two, then that was how it was. I just didn’t want either of them to feel pressured. They were half my age and didn’t need to settle for my old ass if they didn’t really love me.

Damon wore his heart on his sleeve, so I didn’t doubt his feelings could be true. Angel, on the other hand… Well, I knew I’d have to work hard as fuck to earn his love. Thus why, on my day off, I was checking out a shop to gift my kitten.

For it being a weekday, there wasn’t a parking space to be found near the store. I found one half a block away and grumbled as I walked to my destination. As I approached, I spotted a figure that looked more at home at a metal concert than downtown Frostdale. Mr. Metalhead took off his aviators and waved like a madman when he spotted me. It always threw me seeing Jack dressed down. Was it normal for billionaires to have nose rings?

“Hey, Rolly. Good to see you.” He pulled me into a bear hug, almost knocking the wind out of me.

“Hi, Jack.” I returned his hug with a shake of my head. “So, what can you tell me about this place?”

Jack let me go and turned to the building. “Well, it turns out this is one of my properties.” He pulled out a key and winked at me.

He unlocked the door, and we walked in. As I scanned the space, I realized I had no idea what I was looking at or for. To me, it was just an empty room. I noted there were two other doors that probably led to a bathroom and out back.

Jack’s boot steps echoed as he walked around. “This is a wonderful space.”

Damn, I was so thankful he was here. Having someone who knew what they were looking at was a blessing. Otherwise, my ignorant ass would nod along with whatever the realtor or whoever said. “What makes it good?”

“It’s a decent size and nothing pre-built is in here.” He waved his arm in a wide arch. “Your boy could come in and do whatever he wanted.”

“Okay, but what is he going to need and how much will it cost him?” I hoped Jack had some insight into what a floral shop would need. If I could get the ball rolling on making this place usable for Angel, I was sure to earn some affection points.

Jack looked thoughtful for a moment before shrugging. “Dunno about what he needs. Only flora I know is my baby.” He snickered, and I rolled my eyes. “But the rent, I can tell you.” He whipped out his phone and brought it to his ear. “Mr. Hartford.”

While Jack had his conversation, I walked further into the shop. I tried to imagine the place as Angel would see it. Pulling up what I recalled from other florists gave me a vague image. At the center was my kitten. He’d be surrounded by flowers, arranging them into beautiful displays. Being surrounded by all that color and softness suited him.

I knew he had a chip on his shoulder about his appearance. He couldn’t stand people forcing certain stereotypes on him. I’d long assumed it had something to do with his childhood. Damon had let slip about Angel’s dad being one of those macho alpha military fuckers. I’d spent more than my fair share of time with douchebags, just like that, in my military days.

It pained me that Angel had been raised by such a tool. There was nothing wrong with how my boy looked or acted. If he wanted to be cute and a bit feminine, so what? There was nothing wrong with that. He could enjoy things just like the rest of us. If it didn’t meet the antiquated ideals of others, it was their loss. I just wished he could see that himself.

“Good news.” Jack’s words pulled me out of my head and focused on him. “I secured the building through January and talked to one of my project managers. After you talk to Angel, we’ll hook them up to move on opening this place.”

Wow! This was why Jack wasn’t just a trust fund brat. He knew his shit and made his own damn money. “That’s amazing, Jack. What do I need to put down for a deposit?” I had some money squirreled away, and I hoped it would be enough.

Jack gave his hand a dismissive wave. “Don’t worry about it. There are all kinds of grants and whatnot for startups. Like I said, my project manager can help with all that once Angel’s ready to move.”

“Jack…I…Don’t know what to say.” How was one man this kind? I was going to nominate him for sainthood.

He threw an arm over my shoulders as he ushered us to the door. “Just say thank you.”

“That isn’t enough. I don’t like owing debts.” I couldn’t let him off on this one. It wouldn’t sit right with me and it damn sure would unsettle Angel.

Jack sighed as he cast his eyes skyward. “What is with you Jolly’s and not simply accepting gifts?” He brought us to a stop just outside and looked me dead in the eye. “I’m not doing this out of charity, pity, or some false sense of justice. I’m doing this because you’re family.” Damn. “I take care of my family. What matters to you matters to me.” He was going right for my jugular. “I also like to help small businesses succeed. I come from the bloated, self-absorbed corporate world and those assholes suck. Seeing little businesses do well is my way of giving that world a big middle finger.”

Winters for president! I kid you not. This man could figure out world peace, end hunger, and solve global warming all before breakfast. Next time I saw Holli, I’d tell him he could never leave this man. “I humbly accept your magnanimous gift.”

He rolled his eyes and gave my arm a playful punch. “Smartass.”

We parted ways with promises of hanging out soon and keeping posted on the store. Jubilation danced through my veins as I turned my car toward home. I hadn’t expected things to be that easy. I’d been sure that I’d be shelling out some major money and signing some sort of paperwork today. Now I’d take that money and buy a really nice gift for Holli and Jack’s wedding.

With the logistics out of the way, I could focus on how to tell Angel. If there had been a contract or something, I’d have put it in an envelope for him to open. Since there wasn’t one of those, I’d have to think of something else, but what?