“Not a chance in hell.”
We started comparing our overlaps, but there wasn’t much there.
Not till we got to the business side of things.
That was when we found out we’d both been shafted by the same beer distributor. One who’d tried to drop both of us before being reminded of the contracts in place.
“I’ll get Nox to look into it,” Lars said just as someone knocked. “Come in.”
One of the guards who’d been circling the main room opened the door and stepped aside so an older man could enter.
Joss and Lars made for an interesting couple since she was a wholesome-looking teacher and he was a tattooed titty bar owner. I didn’t need the introduction to know that the man was her father. I half expected him to start bitching about the music in the club being too loud before inviting me over for a pot roast supper.
My impression that he was old-fashioned was spot on, and Lars stood and extended his hand to the man like it was a business meeting and not a visit from family. “Noah.”
The grumpy old man returned the handshake before smiling. “I see Remy was by to leave her mark.”
“You just missed her and Joss.”
“I’ll get my baby fix at Sunday dinner.”
I followed Lars’s lead and stood to offer my hand. “I’m Rhys.”
“Noah Lennon.” He took the chair next to me. “Wish I was visiting for better reasons.”
I caught a quick grimace from Lars, but he was quick to mask it. “What’s going on?”
“Are either of you familiar with the Independent Results and Abundance super PAC or Sean Butler?”
“The assholes who try to protest every damn thing in this city that they don’t agree with?” Lars asked, tossing me the crumbs I needed to make the connection.
I was aware of the group, but I’d never paid much attention.
“That’s the one. Sean owns a real estate brokerage and is on the board of the super PAC. He’s also running for president of SBOOB,” Noah said.
The stupid nickname was the least of the Small Business Owners of Boston’s problems. I’d attended a single meeting years prior, and I’d never been tempted again. Rather than discussing changes and strategies to help stand against the big corporations and chains that were knocking out the little guy like gale-force winds against a domino, it’d been a bitch session. An echo chamber of agreement where no one seemed willing to adapt to the changing world.
I was honestly surprised the glorified drinking club was still running.
“Your businesses came up at tonight’s meeting,” Noah continued, looking between Lars and me. “Both of yours. And it’s not for a good reason.”
Oh shit.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
ONLY FOR ME
LUNA
Iwas a waterfall.
I was on fire.
I was a waterfall of fire.
A moan pushed out of me as I was pulled further from sleep.
I wasn’t a waterfall or fire or both.
