“That is correct, Mrs. Westmead,” Oliver says, remaining professional even though I see the pure disgust written on his face.
“To Miss Jasmine Bianchi, we leave the entirety of the jewelry collection, including all items in the safe deposit box, engagement and wedding bands.” Oliver looks to Jazzy. “Mrs. Westmead left you a letter as well,” he says before passing her a sealed envelope.
“Thank you.” Jazzy’s hand trembles as she reaches out to accept it. I place my palm on her leg under the table.
“Are you kidding me? That’s millions of dollars in jewels!” my aunt shouts. “Family heirlooms! And you’re giving them to a stranger?”
“Jasmine isn’t a stranger. She’s going to be my wife. I suggest you either leave or shut the fuck up,” I snap.
The entire room goes silent. And then my uncle stands, extending an arm in my direction. “Congratulations. I know your mother wanted this to happen,” he says.
“Thank you.” I return the gesture.
“Ah… it’s not… We’re not… I mean, I’m not…” Jazzy shakes her head.
“We are,” I tell her. “We’re keeping the engagement quiet, out of respect for my parents. They deserve to be mourned appropriately,” I add, sounding every bit the proper, snobbish, rich boy I was raised to be.
“Congrats.” This comes from my cousin, Angus.
His sister, Louise, smiles. “Welcome to the family, Jasmine.”
“Thank you,” Jazzy whispers, ducking her head and looking down at the table.
“Okay. To our nephew, Angus Westmead, we leave the Manhattan penthouse and a trust of fifteen million dollars, which he will receive when he’s twenty-five. To our niece, Louise Westmead, we leave the Paris townhouse and a trust of fifteen million dollars, which she will receive when she is twenty-five.”
I look to my cousins. Neither of them comments. They don’t need the money. It’s not as if they’re not wealthy already. All Westmeads are set for life ten times over. Probably more.
“Everything else, including Westmead Industries, is left to our son, Jacob Westmead,” Oliver says, looking to me. “There is also a letter for you, from your mother.” He hands me an envelope that matches Jazzy’s.
“Thank you.” I take the envelope and pocket it. No way am I ready to hear what my mother wants to say to me. I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready. As of right now, her last words are yet to be said. But as soon as I read them, they’re out there. They’re over.
Chapter Twenty-One
I’m finally back at the penthouse at Aces. I told my father I came here to work and to restart my life. I can’t do that if he continues to lock me away. He reluctantly agreed to memoving back to the casino. With the condition I keep security around me all the time.
Right now, there are four men on each floor of the building by the elevators. They look like attendants, but I know they’re not. I do feel safer knowing the place is secure. I’m walking around the apartment, wondering what I can do to make it more… personalized. Maybe I need to go shopping, get some frames and hang some of my own pictures.
Antonia placed some small family photos around the living room, but I don’t think she wanted to overdecorate the place. Giving me the space to make it truly mine.
As if thoughts of Antonia conjured her up, she walks into my foyer. “Hey,” she greets me with a huge smile.
“Miss me already?” I joke.
“Terribly. You have no idea how horrible it is to be surrounded by males day in and day out.” She sighs. “And your brothers are messy little shits.”
“They’re also not kids anymore, Antonia. You can tell them to clean up after themselves.” I laugh.
“What? And have them need me for nothing? I couldn’t.” She shakes her head.
My stepmother was groomed by her Italian mobster father to be the perfect wife, and she really is. Never faulting my father for any of the horrible things he has to do for his “job.” Always being there to support him, no matter what. I do think that’s more to do with how much she loves him though, not just how she was raised.
“I brought you lunch,” Antonia says.
“What is it?” I ask, peering at the container. My stomach growls.
“Lasagna. Let me pop it into the oven. You can set the table.”
After setting the table, I find a bottle of red wine and fill two glasses, handing one to Antonia. We move to the living room and sit on the sofa.