Paulien couldn’t have been more pleased: George did exactly as he promised. Her father’s associates in Italy found George some runners, and business picked up considerably because of it, paying all of Everard Sureties’ clients, including her father, generous profits. And now George was planning to accept a dozen of her father’s friends as investors.
“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s as if your father was the catalyst who turned the tide,” George said as they lay in bed after making love. “As soon as he got involved, got his business associates involved, there was a sea change. Where everything had been stagnating, now everything is booming.”
“That’s wonderful,” Paulien mumbled, drifting off to sleep. “I’m glad.”
“When I offered him his first month’s profits, he said he wanted to reinvest the money—and add to it. I let him triple his initial share. But he’d like to invest even more.”
She pulled into wakefulness. “Are you going to let him?”
“Things are running much more smoothly, and far more transactions have been completed. Profits are skyrocketing, so I suppose . . .”
She snuggled into his side. “I’m so proud of you. Helping him. All his friends . . .”
“I take it that means you’d like me to let them all buy more shares?”
“If you can. I wouldn’t want you to do anything that would be bad for your business.”
“I’d have to cut back on some of my original clients’ requests. Even with the additional runners, there are only so many trades we can process at a time. The early investors wouldn’t be happy about that—especially given their recent gains.”
“He’s going to be your father-in-law,” Paulien reminded him, melting as she said the words. “His friends and business associates will become yours, potential Everard Sureties clients for life.”
“Oh, this isn’t going to last that long. The Italian economy is picking up, and the cost of their IRCs is going to rise and cut into our profits.”
Paulien sat up. “When do you think that’s going to happen?”
“Six months, maybe fewer. But unless something derails the country’s growth, the price isn’t going to stay this low for long.”
“But what about Everard?” she asked, both confused and concerned. “How will you keep going if that happens?”
George pulled her close. “We’ll stop taking in new money, pay all the clients their proceeds, tell them the run is over, and close down the business. They’ll be disappointed, but they’ll also have earned back three or four times their initial investment—and I’m betting every one will be ready to become a part of whatever new venture I come up with. Same with the staff.”
“So this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?” Paulien asked slowly. “Investing with you? Something to jump on?”
“I’m not sure I’d put it that way,” George protested. “But there are profits to be made now that may not be possible later. So, in that sense, I suppose, yes.”
Paulien knew George always underplayed his potential, particularly when it came to Everard Sureties. He was consistently self-deprecating—about both himself and his business—and never promised what he couldn’t produce. “Can his additional investment be my wedding gift?”
George laughed. “I have a far better wedding gift in mind for you than some investment.”
As much as she wanted to hear more about her wedding gift, Paulien persisted. “I’m serious. Would you consider letting Papa and his friends give you however much they want? And let me invest my trust fund money? Maybe my brothers will want to do the same with theirs. How about my mother and her family?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, doll.” He frowned. “What if it doesn’t work out? What if I’m wrong and Italy’s economy picks up more quickly than I think? I don’t want my entire new family to be angry with me.”
“Please?” she begged, wanting more than anything to share her good fortune with everyone she cared for. “If it’s not your wedding gift to me, it can be our wedding gift to them.”
“Is that what you really want, my sweet, generous darling?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.
“Yes,” she replied happily. “That’s what I want.”
“Then that’s exactly what you’ll get.”