Page 49 of The Billionaire Land Baron

Daisy clapped as though he’d performed some kind of Olympic feat. He could see her working out how to best get close to him when he was sitting on the edge of the board. It was the perfect position—easy exit and hard access. Plus closer to the mayor.

Jake hadn’t had a full conversation with McClure because of Daisy throwing herself at him, which was making him tense. Borderline angry. He hated mixing business with anything else. It was clear that the mayor was very much about mixing. He wasn’t sure if Daisy was meant to be a distraction or if he was hoping she could snag a billionaire, but either way, McClure was fine playing this game. Time to channel Xander and get this done.

Striding across the board, Jake made his way back onto the pool deck and into a chair near the mayor.

“Let’s talk land and permits,” Jake said. His voice sounded firm, sure. He hadn’t used this voice much during the time here in Lucky. As he told Xander, he didn’t like smooth-talking. But he’d learned to channel Xan when it was time for tough conversations. It was easier when he kept the goal in mind. This time was a little harder since his goal was getting a casino built that ultimately ruined the life of the girl he liked, but hey. It felt good to hear the command in his voice again.

“You don’t need foreplay.” The mayor laughed at this crude joke. Daisy hadn’t moved and in fact had downed Jake’s whole drink. She seemed to have enough sense to know it was time for business talk and kept back.

“I don’t like play,” Jake said.

“That’s what your reputation tells me. Now what do we need to get things in order?”

“This is happening. I just would like for it to happen with the town rather than to it. For that, I want to be sure we’re all getting what we want and need. You are a big part of what we need and we want to make sure you understand that and feel our appreciation.”

“What do you need?” McClure puffed on his cigar and did not offer Jake one.

“We secured the land along the Sabine, east side of downtown. Now we’ve got some trouble with the permits office and city zoning to extend Main further that direction and reroute Kincaid Boulevard. We need you, specifically you, on board to make this happen for Lucky.”

“And what are you offering?”

“Besides the obvious surge in jobs, revenue from tourism, and real estate development, we have cash. Obviously, not in the way that we could pay you directly, since that would be fraud. You understand.”

“The catch being that small towns don’t like this.”

“They don’t. They should, and they will, but they never do at the outset. People fear change. This will change Lucky. But it will provide jobs and security and things that Lucky has never had and will never have without it.”

The mayor puffed his cigar. “And this deal isn’t half bad for you.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t be here without knowing this was a sure thing for all parties.”

“I like sure things. Cigar?”

“I don’t smoke,” Jake said. He felt like he could finally take a breath. The conversation had shifted from convincing to celebrating. Didn’t take long, just like Xan said.

“Well, let’s at least shake on it,” McClure said.

Jake hated so much about this man, even after an hour at his home. The servants that he treated like slaves, the daughter he watched oozing sexuality, the need to have his ego massaged. But he held out his hand.

Jake had never done a deal in a bathing suit. He should have felt uncomfortable, but the opposite was true. He had the usual thrill from getting what he wanted, but somehow felt even more powerful, especially with towering over the mayor, who had to look up and shade his eyes to make eye contact.

Daisy sidled up beside Jake and pressed her body into his, her arm around his waist. Dang. He hadn’t seen her coming.

“Well, look who the cat dragged in,” Daisy said.

Jake turned to see Rhett walking shirtless to the pool with a loose arm around Shelby, who was clearly trying to shake him off. Her eyes widened when she took in Jake with the mayor’s hand in his and Daisy draped over him. Then her eyes narrowed and she shook her head just slightly. Jake dropped the mayor’s hand.

“Why, Shelby,” Mayor McClure said. “Have you finally come to take Rhett’s proposal seriously? You know we’d all love to see you in the family.”

Daisy stiffened, giving Jake the opportunity to step away from her. Clearly not everyone would love to see her in the family. He wondered what bad blood ran between these two. Likely it ran back to childhood. Both were beautiful, though in different ways. Clearly both were hot-headed. He could sense a temper coiled under Daisy’s perfect tan skin.

There was an awkward moment of greetings and hellos. Mayor McClure patted Jake on the back and said, “Now that business is done, I’m going to leave y’all to enjoy. Dinner will be out in a bit.”

A housekeeper appeared with a tray of fresh rum drinks. Jake didn’t take one and watched, concerned, as Shelby drained one in a long swallow. Daisy giggled and Rhett watched Shelby the whole time with a grin that Jake did not like. At. All.

Jake pushed past Daisy and hooked an arm through Shelby’s. “I’ve been staying at Shelby’s Airstream. She’s on Airbnb. It’s been pretty incredible. I’m kind of glad you all don’t have a hotel here.”

Shelby squeezed his arm. Not in a good way. “Y’all,” she corrected softly.

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