Page 58 of Booked for Theft

“The thirty thousand came from that company’s profit?”

He nodded. “I also paid for the books out of the dividends. I’m going to be evaluating how to distribute funds to various charities to help as many people as possible. Still, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“Don’t be sorry. We all agree the nine months we lost was miserable, you suffered from depression, and you had self-destructive tendencies. Except your attempts at self-destruction backfired, now you’re feeling guilty over it. I’m sure we can work on a therapy plan for this now that I know it’s a problem. We can start with buying a reasonable fun car—the kind that has a high price tag, great reliability, and longevity. It need not win at the races, but it needs space sufficient to take our babies with us. All three of our babies. I think it should be European make, and we’ll pick it out while we’re on our cruise.”

“That could work. All right. You’re not mad at me?”

“I’m not mad, but we’re going to live to my budgeting standards rather than yours. We will have household rules on how much we can spend moving forward. I’m not saying you can’t spend millions on your precious sheet music, but we will discuss the expenditures first. I am fine with contributing to charities and helping people. I am not okay with living from paycheck to paycheck and worried about if I can afford my next meal. Do I want to know if the Stephen King novel is in the boxes?”

“It’s in the boxes, and I negotiated a fair price with Albert. He received what the book is actually worth, much to his horror. I also offered to help with his investments. He gave me a book in exchange for that work. The book is honestly for you, and it might be even cooler than the Stephen King novel.”

“Bite your tongue! What could possibly be cooler?”

“A first edition autographed copy of Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October.”

I gasped. “He did not have a Tom Clancy.”

“He had a Tom Clancy.”

“There has been a Tom Clancy just gathering dust right under my nose for all this time?” If Ajani hadn’t been on my lap, I would have run to the bedroom, flung myself onto the bed, and wailed. “That’s a priceless treasure!”

“And now it is our priceless treasure.”

“My office must be transformed into a throne room for my precious acquisitions. I’ve read that book numerous times. I like it almost as much as The Stand!”

“I know. That’s why I accepted it. I didn’t want to have to tell you it existed and we didn’t own it. But I have to work miracles with Albert’s money now. He refused to accept actual money for the book. It’s authenticated, too. But honestly, they’re insurance policies for us. Those two books will fit in your purse, and they will sell for millions more than what we paid here over in Europe if push comes to shove. And the government doesn’t view books as money. I’m going to acquire more books that we can take to Europe with us in case we need funds and our accounts here are frozen.”

I admired Bradley’s cunning. “You’re preparing if we have to leave.”

“I am, and I’m using you to do it.”

I cuddled Ajani, picked her up, assured I loved her best, and set her on the floor. “We should take this discussion to the bedroom. Intellect is sexy.”

“I will agree to this should you agree to struggle strictly for my enjoyment.”

“I think I can manage that little.”