Thorne snorted. No one else at the table so much as blinked.
“You are in direct competition with my establishment,” he said, stating the obvious.
“I prefer to think of it as offering alternatives. Variety is the spice of life, isn’t it?”
He didn’t say anything for a beat. Just studied me with that same unreadable gaze. “I’ve spent decades building The Veil into what it is. The town knows who holds all the power, and their loyalty will remain with me.”
“Then what are you so worried about, Mr. St. Germain?”
“Lucien,” he said. Then he said in a softer voice, “Call me Lucien.”
“Pardon?”
“If we’re going to negotiate your surrender, I feel first names are more appropriate.”
Oh, there was a great deal to unpack in that statement. “My surrender?” I laughed and took another slow sip. “Amusing, Lucien”—damn it, why did his name feel so good on my tongue—“but I assure you, I won’t be surrendering anything. Least of all to you.”
“There are rules in Eternity Falls,” he said carefully. “Structures that maintain balance. Your bar—your presence—disrupts that.”
“Ah.” I nodded. “What an elegant way of saying I’m inconveniencing you.”
His jaw tensed. “I’m saying there are expectations. Ones that affect more than just you and your establishment. When you open a rival venue—especially one on territory historically tied to another family—there can be consequences. I’m simply offering a chance to discuss terms,” he said. “To negotiate before things escalate.”
Juliette’s gaze shot to him, her eyes narrowed.
Lucien ignored his sister and continued, “I am willing to offer you something I’ve never offered anyone else. I will buy the bar from you.”
His sisters sucked in a simultaneous breath.
He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, sliding it across the table to me.
“I think you’ll find the offer more than generous,” he said. “Enough for you to start over. Comfortably. Or perhaps you could buy another business in town. A different business. I’ve heard the library is looking for new ownership, if books interest you.”
Oh, how terribly thoughtful of him.
I didn’t reach for the paper. I didn’t need to look at it to know the number written on it would be far more than I paid for the bar in the first place. But I refused to take the deal, to let him win. My success would not hinge on someone else’s accomplishments. No matter how challenging the restoration was, it would be worth it to call something mine. I wasn’t looking for a quick buck—I was looking for a life, a purpose.
I pushed the paper back across the table with a single fingertip. “No, thank you.”
Lucien silently considered me, his expression neutral. “I can offer another fifty thousand on top of that offer.”
Juliette stared at her brother as though he’d just grown a second head.
“Lucien—” she hissed.
He cut her off with a slight lift of his hand.
Even Evangeline seemed confused. The two sisters shared a glance, but Juliette shook her head.
Lucien didn’t look at either of them. His attention stayed fixed on me. “I’m trying to offer you a way out. An easier path.”
I leaned forward slightly and rested my elbows on the table. “And I’m declining. Politely. Which is more than you deserve.”
Annoyance narrowed his eyes. “Your pride will cost you.”
“My pride is the only thing I can currently afford.”
Juliette’s gaze shot to me, but I didn’t break eye contact with her brother. Not for a second.
