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“Because his funds have been put on hold.”
“The reason?”
“Well, he’s been accused of blackmail, extortion, and I’m sure a few other crimes as well.”
I took a deep breath. “In order to get the land then the building designs approved.”
Lachlan snorted. “You were always good at weeding through the bullshit.”
One of my fortes. I rolled my eyes. Dumas. We’d all had our reservations about the secretive man, but he’d checked all the boxes enabling us to go forward, including the money he’d already put down on the project. “Why do I have a feeling we’re the target?”
“That’s what I was thinking as well.”
“Let me guess. You nominated me to handle the mess.”
“I wouldn’t know the difference between a two by four and a header beam and you know it. We could send Grant, but somehow, I think Mr. Number Cruncher wouldn’t do much good either. Besides, he has his hands full with issues of his own in LA. You have a strong connection with Dumas and with the folks in their government office. You up for it, buddy?”
I glanced toward the truck, exhaling as I watched Alexandra climbing into the cab. “How soon?” My thoughts drifted to the meeting I’d left. Obtaining the urban planning authorization hadn’t been difficult, but I’d had the feeling Dumas had paved the way before my arrival eight months before. I only hoped he hadn’t lined the official’s pockets as well.
“A day. Maybe two. That’s all the time the attorney thinks we have before things get ugly.”
Fucking fantastic. “Fine. I’ll figure something out. Email me the details and I’ll get the jet ready. I’ll call you after I’d read everything over.”
“We’ll do a conference call with Grant. I want to make certain we’re all on the same page.”
While the three of us were equal partners, as CEO, Lachlan had always been the front man, his always camera-ready presence adding to our credibility.
“Hmmm… Why does it sound like there’s something preventing you from leaving swanky Miami?”
“Go mind your own business. How is that sexy almost wife of yours?”
“You know women,” he chortled. “Everything must be perfect.”
Perfect. It was a word not included in my vocabulary. “Better than you know.”
* * *
Alexandra
Rarely did anyone surprise me. If they did, it was usually the kind of revelation that eventually became caustic. As I pulled down the street to the condo, I took another deep breath. I hadn’t wanted to admit it to Jameson, but I was like a giddy kid inside, butterflies still swarming my stomach. The nagging voice was still in the back of my mind, but I’d sensed the powerful man was being generous, and that the gift didn’t come with strings attached.
I thought I’d made myself perfectly clear that I wasn’t selling anything, including my body for sex or something else. Laughing, I rolled into the garage, sliding my hand back and forth across the leather steering wheel.
He’d spared no expense. Even though the sticker with the price had been taken off the window, I’d found it in the center console. He’d paid almost sixty thousand for the special edition. In cash. That much I’d managed to get out of the nice but far too lecherous dealer. There was no way I could handle payments and I wasn’t entirely certain I could pay Jameson back in ten years.
I’d checked with my insurance company and he’d been fibbing to me a little. He’d paid for two years of insurance up front. All the bells and whistles too. I remained floored yet cautious. No one ever did anything like this without wanting something in return. Maybe I was just jaded. I did have every reason to be.
After pulling into the designated parking space, I took a few minutes to sit and enjoy the new car smell. I’d had hand-me-downs since I’d learned to drive. The radio was still on, the heavy metal station I’d found on satellite radio jamming with my favorite tunes. I couldn’t help but dance a little in my seat as the bass boomed from the eight speakers inside the cab. Eight. And satellite radio! I’d been lucky to find a station every fifth town on my drive to Miami.
I noticed Charlotte’s car was parked in her regular spot. I had no idea what to say to her.Hey, I was lucky enough to be given a brand-new truck. Why? Because I’m his little subbie.
Oh, God. Was that what I’d become?
A few more minutes of enjoyment before I figured out what to say that wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Exhaling, I closed my eyes, slumping down in the leather seat, running my fingers across the smooth grain. Why would he do something so incredible for a girl he barely knew?
Okay, so the sex was out of this world, the night before what fantasies were made of, but really? I’d never easily trusted anyone, especially when they tried to ply me with gifts. While I didn’t think the man had a hidden agenda, I still couldn’t wrap my mind around his generosity.
