Page 9 of Harvey

“I was just about to take my smoke break.”

“Those fancy cigars can wait. Real men smoke cigarettes, the cheap stuff.”

“Which is a surefire way of getting lung cancer,” Harvey said dryly as he put away the drill he had been using on the wall.

“You are wealthy enough to afford those fancy doctors. It shouldn’t be a problem where you are concerned.”

“Prevention is better than cure, and if you refer to my financial status one more time, you will be eating your food with a straw.”

Jack only grinned at him, dancing out of the way as Harvey bounded down the steps. All around, the sound of construction going on filled the air. Five houses were already up and roofed, with the walls sheet racked and ready to be plastered.

It was a lovely neighborhood with houses and people living there. The place was in high demand because of the level of security offered.

Harvey had been part of the crew for ten years since he left college and did a stint in the corporate office. It had taken him a month to realize that he was not cut out for the office, and after several long and drawn-out arguments with his dad, he had won the battle. Gregory Blackwood reluctantly agreed to let him make decisions about his future.

“It does not take away from the fact that you are the heir- “

“Both of us.”

“Yes. But you are the firstborn.”

Harvey had not bothered to mention that Silas was blood, which meant he was entitled to the money. It would have pissed the old man off more and started another argument.

He was working somewhere he loved and earning a salary like an ordinary guy, even if his name was Blackwood. The men had realized that he was not just the son of the men they were employed, and he was not there to spy on them and report to his father.

He spoke up when he saw something he did not like and minded his own business. They also knew he did not suffer fools gladly and was not afraid of anything or anyone.

He drank with the crew and was unafraid to climb up on top of a roof, no matter how high. He was on time and knocked off whenever the others did, except when he had something to do.

“You called?” Sauntering around the side, he saw his supervisor soaked from head to foot, his face florid with frustration.

“It’s the second damn time this is happening. “

“I would say the water line is too near to the foundation. We must turn off the main pipe and get Ramirez out here.”

“Which is going to take a day or two.” Pulling his shirt over his head, John wrung it dry and rubbed his hands over his arms.

“Not if we have him come out immediately and take the time to deal with it.”

John gave him a hopeful look.

“No.”

“You are the only one he listens to.”

“That’s because you all give him grief about his Mama.”

“The guy lives in the basement of his mother’s place-“

“He loves her.”

“You adore yours and yet found the strength to move out of that fancy place of yours.”

“You know what? For that remark, you are dealing with Ramirez yourself.”

“Come on, Harv. We need to get this thing halfway up by tonight. Please.”

Shaking his head, Harvey dug his phone from the pocket of his denim and made the call.

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