Perhaps I should’ve brought Tolyan after all.
People don’t know what Andy truly is—a monster behind a cherubic face. The bloody history between us is a secret. And it’ll remain that way as long as his parents hold their end of the bargain…
The bargain I made to escape my mother’s clutches and to make amends for my mistake ten years ago.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Dominic
“I’d love to have the entire proposal sent to my office so I can review the details,” Zhao says, giving me a napkin with his direct email address jotted down. “I’m very much in favor of bringing business that can create jobs and enrich our citizens. And it seems like your proposal might meet the requirements.”
Spoken like a true politician and bureaucrat.
“Thank you,” I say. “I’ll go ahead and do that when I’m back in my office.” I’m not stupid enough to hand it off to my assistant. As competent as Brian is, this kind of contact needs to be personal.
“Perfect.” Zhao smiles, then waves to somebody walking toward us. “That’s my brother. I don’t often see him, so I should say hello. It was good to meet you, Dominic.”
“The pleasure was mine.”
We shake hands, then he leaves.
I signal the bartender for a vodka and knock it back. The talk went surprisingly well. It didn’t take that long, both of us focused on getting to know each other, measuring each other as quickly as possible. Zhao is refreshingly cosmopolitan and sharp, nothing like most stodgy Chinese bureaucrats. So when he asked me what my interest in China was, I told him straight, understanding that he wouldn’t care for games.
Since there’s going to be a government review, I expect things to take a while. Still, it’s a major step in the right direction.
Elizabeth was right. There are certain doors that she can open for me because, having grown up in this social stratum, she knows people I don’t. I’ve heard she’s dined with the president and is on the first-name basis with the first lady.
I scan the beach, intending to thank Elizabeth and play the proper date for her. She’s nowhere to be seen. I could have sworn she went off with Ming Ming…but then I spot the birthday girl with a couple of strangers. I start walking toward the group to ask if she knows where Elizabeth is. But before I can reach her, I run into Andy.
Generally a nice kid, my cousin can be slightly awkward, saying inappropriate things and reacting oddly from time to time…although he means well and tries hard. I chalk it up to my aunt’s crappy parenting. The woman has zero maternal instinct, and the only reason she adopted him was to boost her husband’s political career. Voters love family men, especially ones with children.
Unfortunately, Andy has trouble holding on to jobs, and it apparently bothered Dorothy enough that she came to me five years ago. “If you give him a job—any position’s fine—I’ll make sure your business dealings go smoothly.”
I studied her, trying to figure her angle. This wasn’t due to her deep love for Andy. “I don’t need you to make money.”
“But a little political clout wouldn’t hurt.”
“Why can’t Andy get a job with one of the people wanting a favor from your husband?”
“He’s…” She breathed in deeply, bracing herself as though she was about to confess some dire sin. “He’s a bit gauche. You know that. And I can’t have him be a jobless bum. It isn’t good for Chuck’s career.”
“So the kid you got for his career isn’t working out the way you wanted.”
Hatred glittered in her eyes.
“But fine. I’ll get him a job, not because I give a shit about you or Chuck, but because I like Andy.”
And because it isn’t his fault that he’s socially clumsy. If she thought she could get away with it, she would’ve returned him. Apparently you can do that with adopted kids.
Plus, I don’t regret the decision to give him a chance because he’s meticulous with numbers. He’s doing well in internal audit, like I thought he would.
“Hi, Dominic,” Andy says.
“Hey, Andy.” His grin is infectious. “I didn’t realize you were coming.”
“I didn’t know you were coming either. If I had, I would’ve asked you for a ride. I mean, not actually inside the cabin or anything. But maybe if you had a spare seat on one of the wings…”
I laugh. “When are you flying out?”