Page 23 of Seductive Nights

Grant nodded, "You're a smart woman Margo. I was going to get to that, but you beat me to it. So I'll look at that this week. In the meantime, I will ask Attorney Zsidai and Ms. Stigler to leave, and we'll tell them she will not be part of the business. Further, her proffered ten percent is only five percent."

"Yes, those are my wishes."

Grant stood and shook her hand, then Carley's. "It was nice meeting you, Carley."

"It was nice meeting you too, Mr. Park."

He nodded. "If you two want to step out, I will keep them in the other conference room until you're gone so that you don't have to have an awkward run-in with her."

"Thank you, Grant. I do appreciate it, and I'll wait for your call."

She left the building with Carley, and while the news was upsetting, it wasn't as bad as she had thought. As she sat and listened to Attorney Zsidai and Grant, thoughts about the corporate documents came into her head. She felt better and better that Logan could go fuck himself wherever he was. He sure as hell wasn't in heaven. He wasn't getting his last wish, or any wishes for that matter. And that fucking mistress of his could go to hell for all she cared. She was fighting mad. Even though she was fighting a dead man and his slut on the side.

13

Jace jogged down Main Street. He turned left onto his street, Classified Drive. He chuckled every time he saw the name. The house he'd purchased a couple of years ago was the former Governor's Mansion. It was his vacation home, actually. The governor was shady, involved in too many illegal things, and the house sat empty for years when he slipped out into the night to hide from the FBI.

Jace had remodeled it, via Quinn and an interior designer, and it had been the perfect hideout, as it was hidden behind a forest of palm trees.

He could slip in and out, without anybody even knowing who owned the Governor's Mansion. These days, that was a great feat for a small town. Not easy to do, especially since he owned a visible business.

Jogging up the front steps to his palatial looking home, he unlocked the door and stepped inside the cool air-conditioned home. Twisting the lock behind him, he enjoyed the cool air as it brushed his damp skin. He sauntered toward the kitchen at the back of the house. He made himself a large glass of ice water with electrolyte powder in it, watching the powder disappear as he stirred it.

He drank it down in between breaths, as he waited for his breathing to return to normal

He'd taken to jogging after the lunch hour every day. Unfortunately, it was the hottest part of the day, but he worked late nights and then slept in a bit later in the morning unless he had things on his mind. Then he worked his ass off all day. The last thing he wanted to do after he finished work was jog at one or two in the morning. So this had been his compromise - jog during the hottest part of the day, sweat like a pig, come back and replenish himself, and feel proud that he had gotten the jog in. That's where he was right now in today's journey.

Leaning with his back against the counter, he thought about what he had to do yet today. A new band was playing from the neighboring town at the Sandbar tonight. Thank God he had Mason as his bartender. He was good. He was really good.

To try to keep his mind off the town council and what they would think of his business, which was what was keeping him awake at night, he'd asked Quinn to go with him, as well as the architect Quinn used to design the barracks for him. He'd come and answer questions. Just having those two people as a show of business acumen, he was going to do alright. That should have been enough to relieve his anxieties, but this was a big deal for him.

Slugging down the last of his electrolyte water, he trudged up the steps to his bedroom. He started the warm, not hot, water in the shower and began pulling out clean clothing for this evening at the Sandbar.

Jumping in the shower and letting the water cool his body, he closed his eyes and willed the water to wash away his anxieties. He was doing a good thing here. He was running a good business. Flashes of Margo shot through his head. What was it about her? Was it because she didn't like him, and he had this need to make everybody like him? Was that it?

Well, he wasn't gonna get tangled up in that. Why should he feel insecure about anything?

He finished his shower and dressed for the evening in a pair of khaki shorts, one of his bright-colored Hawaiian shirts, and his favorite brown leather sandals.

He jogged down the steps, stepped out of the front door, locked it behind him, and then sneaked through the palm trees to Sunset Beach Road, directly in front of Sarge's Sandbar.

The weather was beginning to cool, though it still needed to come down a little bit. As he stepped into the bar, Mason was behind it, putting clean glasses away and setting up for the night. The Margarita fountain was full and ready to go. The Sandbar punch dispenser was filled and mixing their signature drink. The garnishes were cut - orange slices, lemons, limes, pineapple, and the cherry container was full.

"Are you all set, Mason?" He looked over what still needed to be completed.

"Yep, getting there. The band is setting up outside."

"Good." He grinned and clapped his hands together. "Okay, let's get this party started."

Mason chuckled, and Jace stepped outside to check the tables. Teresa, his longtime server, was straightening up chairs and raking the sand under the tables. He watched her work for a few moments and thought Quinn was right; having floating decks on the sand would be much better.

He was gonna do that for sure. It would also eliminate the sand coming into the bar every day.

People started filing in and taking a seat at their chosen table. The band began sound checks, and he happily set up Grace and Hanna's table. They had asked him to reserve their favorite table, and he was pleased to do it. He set up a special little centerpiece for them, a little bouquet he had delivered earlier in the day.

His friends supported him in everything he did and he wanted to support them as well. He kept himself busy until the band began playing, and the tables filled.

Hanna and Grace arrived, and he took them to their table. "Here you go, ladies. And just for you, special flowers."

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