“You pegged me perfectly with everything except the business aspect. I’ve always been about the sale, Cass. You should know that better than anyone. Once I figured out how to tie income to that ability, it was a like a golden carrot dangling in my face. I had to have it.”
“So, you’re still rich?”
“Yeah.”
“Like moderately wealthy?”
“Cassie, millionaires don’t shop here.”
“You’re a billionaire? Really?” She’s shocked, staring at me with her jaw dangling open.
“Yes. What’s the matter? Is that bad?”
She starts crying again and swats at her eyes. “A billionaire sleeps on my floor.”
“I love you, Cassie. I’d sleep on a bed of nails to be near you.”
She smiles at me through the tears, and I want to stay like this forever. In that moment, she sees me, all of me, and I fucking love it.
CHAPTER 20
JON
W e drive down a few blocks to a Midtown heliport. Cassie blinks at me as I coax her inside.
“But where’s the pilot?”
“You’re looking at him.” I grab my headset and start pre-flight checks.
I feel her eyes on the side of my face. She says something, but I can’t hear her while wearing the headset. I reach across and flick on her microphone. “Say that again.”
“Where’s the cocky slacker version of Jon Ferro?”
I laugh. “Back in high school where he belongs. Did you really think I’d put all my eggs in one basket? You saw who holds the handles, right? My parents are insane.” I swallow the rest of my reasons before they come rushing out. She’s not certain of me anymore. This doesn’t mesh with what she knows about me, but that was years ago.
I didn’t stop living when we parted ways. If anything, I pulled my shit together because of her. I realized my mother could cut me off at her whim, so I took my money and stopped dicking around. I sold off the toys, invested here and there, and figured out what I needed to do.
The pilot's license was a necessary evil. If I needed to cut my budget, I didn’t want to get stuck flying commercial between my businesses, wasting time with airport security and delays. After getting those licenses, it seemed stupid to skip the helicopter certification. It’s helpful to be able to dart above the city—especially at rush hour. So, I bought a few planes, a jet, the helicopter, and started another business offering private flights to individuals and companies who don’t want to deal with owning an aircraft. Everything I possess is dual purpose, making life easier while making money. I hate to admit it, but I learned that from Dad.
That man is a genius. Everyone thinks Mom came with an endless pile of cash, but Dad’s the one that keeps a large portion of it regenerating. I didn’t understand until I got back from that summer with Cassie and caught hell from Mom. After, Dad called me into his office—which I'd always thought was there for show—and sat me down. I expected him to finish tearing me a new one, but, instead, he asked me about my net value and possessions. He listened thoughtfully as I spoke, then suggested I downsize my jet and lease it when I wasn’t using it. He explained in detail how I could earn money from it by providing an economical flight option to time-conscious businessmen, while I stared at him, shocked.
That’s why mom doesn't walk away, why she lets him have his affairs. She needs him. She’s good at getting her fingers into everything, exerting pressure, and wielding power. Dad’s skills, though more subtle, are just as integral to running an empire—which is exactly what they’re doing.
“Is this safe?” She glances around, yelling in the headset as she strangles her seat belt.
I continue preparing for lift off and say something to the tower, before answering her. “Perfectly. Sit back and enjoy the ride. It’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the yacht club on the upper east side. I’m taking you sailing.”
“Ooh! On a boat?” Cass is
“So, you’re still rich?”
“Yeah.”
“Like moderately wealthy?”
“Cassie, millionaires don’t shop here.”
“You’re a billionaire? Really?” She’s shocked, staring at me with her jaw dangling open.
“Yes. What’s the matter? Is that bad?”
She starts crying again and swats at her eyes. “A billionaire sleeps on my floor.”
“I love you, Cassie. I’d sleep on a bed of nails to be near you.”
She smiles at me through the tears, and I want to stay like this forever. In that moment, she sees me, all of me, and I fucking love it.
CHAPTER 20
JON
W e drive down a few blocks to a Midtown heliport. Cassie blinks at me as I coax her inside.
“But where’s the pilot?”
“You’re looking at him.” I grab my headset and start pre-flight checks.
I feel her eyes on the side of my face. She says something, but I can’t hear her while wearing the headset. I reach across and flick on her microphone. “Say that again.”
“Where’s the cocky slacker version of Jon Ferro?”
I laugh. “Back in high school where he belongs. Did you really think I’d put all my eggs in one basket? You saw who holds the handles, right? My parents are insane.” I swallow the rest of my reasons before they come rushing out. She’s not certain of me anymore. This doesn’t mesh with what she knows about me, but that was years ago.
I didn’t stop living when we parted ways. If anything, I pulled my shit together because of her. I realized my mother could cut me off at her whim, so I took my money and stopped dicking around. I sold off the toys, invested here and there, and figured out what I needed to do.
The pilot's license was a necessary evil. If I needed to cut my budget, I didn’t want to get stuck flying commercial between my businesses, wasting time with airport security and delays. After getting those licenses, it seemed stupid to skip the helicopter certification. It’s helpful to be able to dart above the city—especially at rush hour. So, I bought a few planes, a jet, the helicopter, and started another business offering private flights to individuals and companies who don’t want to deal with owning an aircraft. Everything I possess is dual purpose, making life easier while making money. I hate to admit it, but I learned that from Dad.
That man is a genius. Everyone thinks Mom came with an endless pile of cash, but Dad’s the one that keeps a large portion of it regenerating. I didn’t understand until I got back from that summer with Cassie and caught hell from Mom. After, Dad called me into his office—which I'd always thought was there for show—and sat me down. I expected him to finish tearing me a new one, but, instead, he asked me about my net value and possessions. He listened thoughtfully as I spoke, then suggested I downsize my jet and lease it when I wasn’t using it. He explained in detail how I could earn money from it by providing an economical flight option to time-conscious businessmen, while I stared at him, shocked.
That’s why mom doesn't walk away, why she lets him have his affairs. She needs him. She’s good at getting her fingers into everything, exerting pressure, and wielding power. Dad’s skills, though more subtle, are just as integral to running an empire—which is exactly what they’re doing.
“Is this safe?” She glances around, yelling in the headset as she strangles her seat belt.
I continue preparing for lift off and say something to the tower, before answering her. “Perfectly. Sit back and enjoy the ride. It’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the yacht club on the upper east side. I’m taking you sailing.”
“Ooh! On a boat?” Cass is
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