Page 5 of Best Laid Plans

I had always believed that Sentinel, with its stunning natural landscapes, opportunities for outdoor activities, and serene environment, was suited to be a resort town. We were going to market the enclave as a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta (which was 90 minutes away) for those who could afford it.

"Who will run the project from Savannah Lace?" I asked.

Nina arched an eyebrow. "Let's discuss your needs, and then Luna Steele will decide who runs the project. Our lead architects usually act as project managers."

I thought about that for a long moment. "I met Luna. I don't think she likes me much."

"You shouldn't have called Nova a bitch in front of her then," Nina surprised me by saying. She waved her phone at me. "My EA, who is also our receptionist, informed me about your little verbal scuffle with Luna."

I was impressed. Nina obviously generated loyalty, and this was a close-knit company. "Luna said that if I have a problem with Nova, Savannah Lace won't work with me."

"Luna is right."

"I thought you were a businesswoman, Nina," I bit out. How could she not see that Nova was dangerous to her business?

"I am. And I'm also a good judge of character. If we're going to discuss Nova at Savannah Lace each time we meet, as much as it will pain me from a business perspective, we will back away from the Sentinel Heights project."

Nina was no-nonsense. Valen had warned me about that, and the occasions I'd met with her socially had made that clear to me as well.

She'd need evidence against Nova. I'd get her that.

"I want Nova to run the project."

Nina raised her eyebrows. "Nova is an office manager, not an architect." She tapped her fingers on her table and watched me carefully. "But she is a certified project manager and has been picking up project management jobs for us when the architects are busy. But you know what? Sentinel Heights might be just the thing to catapult her career in the right direction."

Or get her behind bars, which was where she deserved to be.

"Will she agree?"

Nina laughed softly. "Whatever torch you've been carrying for Nova, trust me, she's left what your family did to her behind her. She has a full life in Savannah with people who love her."

"I'm not carrying a torch for her," I ground out.

"Really?" Nina quipped. "You see her one time in what…seven-eight years, and you're trying to get her fired. She, on the other hand, probably treated you politely like she would any client. What does that tell you?"

"It tells me that she's a damn good actor."

"Maybe so, but what it tells me is that you still have feelings for Nova, positive or negative," Nina pointed out, and then added, just to piss me off, "She doesn't seem to have given you much thought."

"I was a mark for her, Nina. Women like her don't think about their marks."

"You're wrong about Nova," Nina said confidently. "And I hope that working with her will teach you that. In case you're thinking you'll be alone with her, there will be an architect working with her."

"Not Luna Steele."

"Luna is busy with some other massive jobs. She and I will identify the right architect for your project once we do a debrief." Nina picked up her landline phone and spoke into it. "Rachel, hon, can you ask Nova to come to my office right away? Thanks."

A part of me was excited to see Nova again. I couldn't wait to show all her colleagues, who were fighting for her honor, how lacking she was. Another part of me, my dick, still responded to her like it always had. My Sugar was pin-up-model gorgeous. Not stick thin, but with curves that made you want to run your hands all over them.

Even that first time—hers, not mine—she'd been all that. Fucking sensual, generous, the kind of lover I'd never had before. She'd been a virgin. I didn't doubt that. I knew that for Nova sex wasn't casual, probably because her mother had been a prostitute.

I'd overlooked all that because I'd fallen in love with Nova, bought her innocent act. She'd been all I thought about when I left for Yale, after spending an amazing Christmas break with her. I'd been desperate to have her when I came back. I was five years older than her when we met. She'd been seventeen, and I waited until her eighteenth birthday—made it fucking special for her. We made love, and I knew this was the woman I'd marry.

She went back to her hovel after. I had decided I'd pull her out of there, and take her with me to New Haven, but that's when all hell broke loose.

She'd stolen my grandmother's jewelry. It was my fault. I'd shown the baubles to her—I'd wanted her to see grandma's engagement ring, the one I'd intended to give her.

It was all gone, and it was never found again, except for a couple of pieces that Pete had found in Nova's apartment.

---