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“It is. It’s plenty of reason to get them out of the country. I’m just glad we’re on the same page.”
“We are. I’m not sure how we’re going to do it. The Castilles have a tight reign these days. They’ve been grooming your brother-in-law to take over the steak empire.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s not going to be pretty whatever we do.”
“It doesn’t have to be pretty. It only has to work.”
“I agree.” She walked to another corner of the open floor. “Which corner office do you want?”
“I do like the sunsets,” I answered. “How about the west corner? You take the east?”
Kennedy smiled. “And that room in the middle?”
I laughed. “Wait until you see what I have planned for it.”
Her phone dinged. “Hold on. That’s Crew.” She stopped to respond to a message from him.
“Why don’t you have him come up?” I suggested. “Maybe we could call Seraphina. We could at least talk together. I noticed Kimble wasn’t lurking.”
“He doesn’t lurk,” she retorted. “He is a bodyguard. Not a lurker.”
“Same.”
“He’s out. Doing some security work. It’s his job.”
“I thought he just liked to follow you everywhere.” My teasing was beginning to make me sound like a dick. “Sorry.” I walked it back.
“I’m hoping some day you two kiss and make up.” She batted her eyes.
“That is unlikely.”
She texted Crew. “Oh shit. He can’t get up here without the key.” She handed me the glass of champagne. “I’ll ride down and bring him with me.”
“I can go,” I offered.
“No. Let me just talk to him for a second. Okay?” She walked toward the elevator bay. I followed her, pressing the button for her. The doors opened. “I’ll be right back.”
I leaned toward her, sliding both hands around her waist. She tilted her lips upward.
“We’re having dinner at my place tonight,” I explained between kisses.
“Your place? With your mother?” she questioned.
I chuckled. “No. The new place. You’ll see.”
I ran my thumb along her jawline. It was hard to let her walk in the elevator, even if it was only for five minutes. My heart pounded in my chest.
“Knight.” She wiggled away from me. “I’ll be right back.”
I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Okay. I’ll get some of the plans out.”
The doors closed and I heard the engine roar as the elevator carriage descended. I walked over the canisters where the architect plans were rolled together and stored. I unfurled the first set and spread them out on a sheet of plywood balanced by sawhorses. I used my phone to anchor one sign and keep it from curling up. I grabbed a discarded brick and laid it on the opposite corner.
I tried to predict what Kennedy would think of the plans. Would she like the layout? How many changes would she make? Thinking about what she had done at the Vieux Carre, I knew it was going to be extensive. Ridiculously expensive. An over the top budget. Fuck. She might spend more than we made the first quarter just getting the offices the way she wanted.
I laughed. It would be worth it. To see her happy. To see her thrive here. To finally be together. To take control of the city.
I glanced at the elevator. It was quiet. I walked to the doors, leaning my ear closer. I sent her a text. There was no response.
It had been close to ten minutes since she’d ridden the elevator to retrieve Crew. Was the key stuck?
