“It’s not my fault you and your brother act irrationally around money,” Gideon said defensively. “No one would bat an eyelash if I donated five million to a children’s hospital or a foundation that funded research for cancer. But because this is you two, because you’re taking this so personally, it’s suddenly crazy for me to help out.” Then he faced me instead. “I might as well give you the rest of my speech,” he said. “I may have worked hard to earn my position with the corporation that my great-grandfather once started, but I didn’t personally accumulate more than a fraction of what I’m worth. And for the rest of my life, I will make money in my sleep. Is that something I should just let sit there? Or should I set money in motion and place it where it will do good? Rhetorical question, for your information.” He took a breath, and my mouth twitched. He could be damn cute when he was trying to pull off stern. “I implore you both to use your brains. Nicky, your strength clearly lies in teaching and being in charge of the faculty. And Anthony, you’re the creator. When you’re not teaching classes, you need time away from the academy to explore your options online. Expand to offer classes on the internet or music programs on DVD. I don’t know. What I do know is that I would like to fund your expansion. I also know that every role in a company can be hired. If you fear you’ll be trapped in a suit, as Nicky told me, just recruit someone else who will wear the suit.” He adjusted his tie. “This is where you agree with me.”

That was…quite the impressive rant.

I exchanged a brief look with Nicky, who had a pinch of amusement in his eyes and said, “If we don’t agree with him, we only have two deep-fried brain cells.”

“Correct,” Gideon agreed. Then he chewed on the inside of his cheek and clasped his hands in his lap. “Now I’m in the mood for fries. I told you we should get a fryer at home.”

“Then you’d be having fries every day.” Nicky reached up and kissed his cheek. “We talked about this.”

“I fail to see the problem,” Gideon muttered. He let out a breath and gathered the printouts of his proposal. “Do I have your agreement, gentlemen?”

Nicky flicked me a glance and nodded. “Yeah.”

I inclined my head too. I didn’t have it in me to put up a fight I had no interest in winning. Gideon would make it possible for us to take the Initiative several steps further. “You have it. And thank you, Gideon. For everything. I can’t describe what this means to me.”