“Of course not,” he said, but she saw through his denial.“I’m old and tired, and it’s time your uncle and I retired.He knows this place in the Caribbean we could hang out and teach local kids a few bike tricks.Your aunt would love that, too.Ricky is looking for a job working with bikes, and Cian is taking accounting classes.”
Jillian shook her head.“You’re really serious about this?What about… me?”She looked at her brothers, who looked uneasy, then her Dad.“I wanted to come back.”
“I know, Jilly,” her father said.“If you want to keep everything and start a new troupe, go ahead.Like you said, you are a grown-up, but I don’t think you’ll be safe.Of course, I’ll have to put my days in the sun on hold to keep an eye on things.Too many bikers cut too many corners.Your brothers…” He glanced at Cian and Ricky.
“Elena is pregnant,” Cian said, his cheeks pink.“She wants a normal life, but I can help out on weekends.”
“And Sophia wants a baby brother,” Ricky said.“But I promise to bring them to watch you.We Finnegans support each other.”
Tears rushed to Jillian’s eyes.They didn’t get it.It would never be the same without them.The whole point was being with them, her family.They were home.She glanced at Lex.No, they used to be home.Her anchor.Home was Lex now.It was only temporary, but she didn’t care.She wanted to be with him.
“No, guys.I don’t want a troupe.Only Finnegans ride in the Fearless Finnegan Troupe.”She glanced at Lex.“Maybe Eddie could use Ricky’s help.I learned everything I know about bikes from him.He knows engines and bike performances.If there’s still an opening…”
Lex chuckled and stroked her cheek.“There is.I’ll let Eddie know.”He explained about the position of bike road testers.
Ricky almost tripped over the coffee table as he hurried forward to shake Lex’s hand.“Thank you, Mr.Fitzgerald.I promise you won’t be disappointed, sir.I’ve seen Leed’s bikes, and they are exceptional.”
After Ricky finished acting like he’d won the lottery and went back to his seat, Lex shot Jillian a glance.“You realize he’d be taking your job.”
“Her job?”Mrs.Petrosian asked, a weird expression on her face.
Jillian nodded.“I was going to test ride bikes for his company.”
“Is that what you do for a living?”
“No.I’m a stuntwoman.”
“The best in the field,” Lex added.
The old woman’s eyes widened.“Oh.”
Jillian wondered if the thugs who’d come to her house had told her about their theory, that she was a porn star.
“I do all the action scenes for actresses,” she clarified just in case there was some cultural miscommunication.
Lex chuckled, clearly understanding her.“Except you hate Hollywood.”
Jillian sighed.“I know.”
“Then you should come home with me,” Mrs.Petrosian cut in.“There’s much more you can learn about your people, tradition, and heritage.The UAN should have a Zakarian sitting at the head of their table.”
Didn’t sound exciting, but Jillian was curious.“UAN?”
“Union of the Armenian Noblemen.”Mrs.Petrosian smiled.“We are restoring noble dynasty and genealogy, and reinstating traditions of Armenian nobility.We need someone to bridge the gap between the old and the new aristocracy.”Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.“You’re young and pretty, and can relate to the younger generation.They’ll love and adore you.Your story alone will inspire our youth.”She glanced at the others, her smile faltering when her eyes met Lex’s, but she bounced back.“You could be our country’s little princess, a beacon of hope, Jillian.”
Wearing pearls, evening gowns, and kissing hands of babies was not her scene.“Mrs… Uh, Grandmother Petrosian, I know I have a lot to learn about my father and your side of the family,” Jillian said, “so I’m happy you came looking for me.But all this is new, and I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
Mrs.Petrosian nodded.“I know, but I’m here, dear.I’ll prepare you.”
Lex stiffened, and Jillian didn’t dare look at him.“How long are you planning on staying in America?”
The old lady’s eyes flickered to Lex.“A couple of weeks,” she said.
Jillian smiled.“That’s good.We can get to know each other.I’m very interested in knowing more about my father.Maybe you could show me some of his pictures and tell me about him.”
“I would love that.I’ll contact you or you can come to my hotel.I’m at Montage.There are so many things I want to tell you.”
“That would be nice.”
