“So, when our dad passed, we approached Mr. Redford and he sold it to us. However, our inheritance really only covered the cost of purchasing the property. In comes your dad, who had his own family money from the life insurance payouts from his parents’ deaths, and he offered to invest in the renovations if we split the ownership four ways and went into business together. We all agreed, and the Indigo Royal was born.”
“Wow,” Drea muttered. It was all she could manage to get out. Blinking rapidly, she tried to clear her head and wrap her mind around all he was telling her. It was just so much to take in at once. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“After the accident, we decided that it was best if publicly it just seemed that we own the resort,” Miller stated.
“The lawyers all told us that it was the best way to protect you and your interests if no one knew that you had inherited so much at six months old,” Vaughn added.
“Your dad was nothing if not overprepared, so he had a will created right after you were born, leaving everything to you and leaving you to either me or your grandparents. They were too devastated by the loss of both of their daughters to take you in, so I convinced these two, and your life as you know it was formed.”
“It didn’t take a whole lot of convincing, mind you,” Grayson added with a smile.
“Technically, you’ve had an equal vote in everything since you were eighteen. But we opted to wait until you were twenty-one, in case you had wanted to go to college. I should have told you years ago, baby girl, but I’ve been selfish in wanting to keep you here. Can you forgive me?”
“Keep me here? Where would I go?”
“Per the lawyers, we are supposed to offer you a buy-out option. In case what you want is the money, rather than an equal interest in the resort. Grayson and I have been under the impression you knew about this and opted to stay, rather than the three of us buy you out,” Vaughn stated.
“Buy me out? No, this resort is my life. I’m the family part of Quinlan Family Resorts!” she said, raising her voice on the last part.
“I like hearing that. Although technically you’re the Miller in Quinlan-Miller,” Grayson laughed.
She stood up from the table and started to pace slightly behind her chair. This was massive news. Suddenly, things started to make more sense. Why Grayson took her on the trip to Florida to look at the boat and why he asked for her opinion on hiring Kyle. Why Vaughn had included her on the discussion before bringing on Dalton and promoting Leona. Why Miller insisted she sit in on his choosing of the new silverware and linens, even though the idea of looking at another colored napkin made her want to cry. These weren’t them just asking their niece, they were asking their business partner.
“So I have an equal say in things?” she asked, stopping her pacing. “So if there is something I want to do with the resort, I can do it?”
“Well, we have to discuss and vote,” Vaughn said, pointing out proper business etiquette. “But yes, if there are changes you’d like to make or something you want to improve, you get as much of a say as any of us.”
“Do you know what this means?” she excitedly asked Kyle, who had been sitting quietly at the table the whole time.
“You get your spa?” he answered, standing up from the table, holding his arms out.
“Yes!” she said, leaping into his open arms. He caught her almost instinctively, picking her up and twirling her around. When he put her feet back on the ground, she immediately popped up to her tiptoes and kissed him.
She was so excited about what her uncles just told her that she didn’t stop to think that they were all watching her now as she wrapped her arms around Kyle and continued to kiss him. He didn’t seem to be thinking much about that either, returning her kiss full force, sweeping his tongue lightly across hers. She pulled away from his lips, giggling, and looked into his eyes. She could see the same happiness she was feeling reflected back and it made her heart skip a beat. That was, until she heard her uncle’s voice.
“What the fuck is going on?!”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kyle’s heart leapt into his throat and his stomach dropped as he heard Vaughn’s booming voice from next to them. He’d gotten so lost in the excitement radiating off Drea that he’d totally spaced that they were at breakfast with her family. Her family that didn’t know they were together. Not to mention that they’d just dropped a major bomb about the resort.
“Get your hands off of her,” Vaughn growled.
“Vaughn!” Simone chastised. He glared at her before standing up.
“I’m going to ask again, what the fuck?”
“Uncle Vaughn, I can explain,” Drea started, pulling away from Kyle.
“You don’t owe anyone an explanation, baby girl,” Miller said.
“Is this why you took her away for the weekend? To seduce her? You used our property to try and take advantage of our innocent niece?”
“No, sir,” Kyle started. “Please sit and let Drea and I tell you our story. I promise it’s not what you think.”
Shit, Kyle thought. He knew this moment wouldn’t go well. He’d imagined it in his mind hundreds of times and every time it ended with a different one of her uncles, if not all three, being very, very upset. He drew in a deep breath as he sat back down, hoping to convince Vaughn to do the same.
“No, I will not sit down. And I’m sure it’s exactly what I think. You don’t get to decide you love her now that you know she has money. If you didn’t love her before, you don’t now.”
“But I did,” Kyle shouted, standing back up. “I do. I do love her.”
He heard Drea’s sharp intake of breath as he said the words. He hadn’t meant for them to come out like this, but here they were. But just as he was turning to address Drea, Vaughn cut in.
“I’m sure you do. Because you just heard all about how she owns a quarter of the Indigo Royal.”
“Give it a rest, Vaughn, and stop accusing our employee of being a gold digger!” Grayson said.
“Prove to me that he’s not and I’ll consider rescinding my accusation.”
“Consider?” Drea chirped.
“Vaughn, have you watched these two, like, ever? They’ve been circling each other like animals in heat for years. It was about time something happened,” Miller claimed.
“I’m just glad he decided to shit rather than get off the pot,” Grayson added, looking over at Miller.
“Me too,” Simone stage whispered.
“So you all have known about this? And you’re okay with her being with…him?” Vaughn said, gesturing toward Kyle.
The statement was a punch to the gut, and Kyle couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Is this really what they thought of him? Some money-hungry lowlife who would prey on Drea to get what he wants? He’d worked here for five years, poured his heart into this place, and this was the reaction he got.
“You really think so little of me, sir?” Kyle asked.
Vaughn just shrugged.
“Uncle Vaughn, you can’t be serious!” Drea exclaimed.
“He only wants you for your money, Drea.”