“You bloody well achieved it!” Nora incredulously puts in.
Heads will fucking roll for this. “The land belongs to no one at the minute.”
“No, possession is nine tenths of the law—that place belongs to me!”
“Nora, nine tenths are worth nothing when battling someone with more money. Someone ruthless.” A hiss goes out, and the remains of a store-bought sandwich are aimed at my head. “Yes, I am ruthless,” I admit, glaring at the perpetrator as I pluck lettuce from my hair. “But I am also in love.”
Catcalls and jeers of disbelief follow, but I push on.
“I did this to prevent anyone else from doing so, because that would’ve upset Eve. She hurts to see her friends suffering, to see animals suffering. She lives her life for others, and I wanted to do something for her to show that I understand. That I seeher. I would never do anything to hurt her.”Not now.
“Only, you did.” Yara’s tone is without inflection, but the barb still twists. “And that letter brought us here.”
“And Duggan!” shouts a young voice.
“You could’ve just bought it and donated it to Nora,” she persists. “It would be small change to you.”
“Yeah, we’ve seen your property portfolio!”
“Bought it from whom?” I run my hand through my hair, tamping back my frustration. “It currently doesn’t belong to anyone. The timing of the letter was a mistake and the fencing wasn’t due to go up for another month.”
“Well, my lawyer says I have squatter’s rights.” Judging by the direction her gaze slid, Nora appears to be taking legal advice from the would-be tire slasher.
“Your ten years of usage does provide you with some rights. But I’d hoped you would transfer those rights to me, for a substantial sum, of course. It’s complicated to explain, but with those years as mine, I could take ownership of the land and protect you. All of you.” Eve, Nora, the animals.
“What a load of—” This time, I duck in time, avoiding a launched apple core.
“Why not just transfer it into Nora’s name?” Yara demands.
“Why would I?” My frustration spills over.
“Because it’s mine, you thieving git!” the old woman shouts.
“Let me finish!” I bellow. Nora’s face falls, and regret pokes me like a hot finger to my chest. “I’m sorry,” I add immediately, infusing my apology with the emotion driving me.Apprehension. Irritation. Hope. God, I hope.“I wasn’t trying to take anything from you. I was trying to set the animal sanctuary up as a charitable foundation. To provide it with an income generated by the land value to safeguard your future.”
“Why didn’t you just tell Nora that?”
“I had every intention of doing so.” Jesus Christ. Are they even listening? “But I had more pressing concerns,” I add in the understatement of the year. “The letter was scheduled to be sent in a month to give me time to explain everything to Nora. It was to be a surprise for Eve.”
“And those were the boyfriend points.” Yara looks unimpressed.
“I was hoping Eve might take a role in the foundation.” To my friends, I add, “That was before I saw how much she loved Northaby.”
“When you decided to give her a safari park instead.” Fin’s mouth tips, seeming to imply I’m an idiot. But his eyes are warm, at least.
“I’d hoped she’d make that choice.” I’ve already signed a contract with Mandy, one full of guarantees and stipulations that have ultimately made me the sugar daddy of dozens of species.
“It’s not a ringmaster’s outfit he’ll need.” Matt chortles as he adds, “It’ll be wellies and overalls.”
“My mistake was using one of my offshore registered companies as the legal entity to secure the land.”Please tell me you’re getting this ...
The skinny anarchist’s chest puffs. “Sounds suspect to me.”
“How old are you?” I demand.
“Fourteen,” he replies with a grunt.
“Come back in twenty years, and tell me what you wouldn’t do for love.”
