Page 84 of Always Be an Us

"Or maybe, it isn’t you. Maybe this is just the universe resetting itself, as my friend Poppy would say. The beginning of a new cycle. What if the abundance of Rainbow Pearls means they’re no longer extinct? And maybe just maybe, we may find a Pink Pearl for the first time in decades! Imagine if it happened as we were reopening the hotel. That would be amazing."

"Yeah. But someone must have left this in the basement then," I say, my mind turning. The pleasure at the discovery is dissipating, and somehow I don't feel so lucky anymore. "Which means that someone was here."

The leather is still damp. It hasn't even been a day or two since the sack was left there.

I see the light die in her eyes when she realizes what I’m implying. "Oh."

"Yeah." I press my lips together, annoyance tearing at me. Even though I’m willing to meet the townspeople halfway and not completely tear down the hotel like I initially wanted to, I despise the idea of someone sneaking on my property and doing whatever the fuck they want. That ends today.

"But why would they go down to the basement and leave that behind?"

"Who knows," I say. "But you know who might be able to figure it out?"

"Who?"

"The cops."

She eyes the orbs and then back to me. "You're going to give it all to them?"

"Yup. Why? Are they expensive?"

She shrugs. "I don't think so. Then again, I've never had it valued before. I don't think they're worth more than other pearls I suppose. Or maybe they are because they’re rarer. Who knows?"

"I need to get to the bottom of who's been trespassing on my property, and why the fuck they would leave this here."

"Yeah. No one should be doing that, especially after you've been nice enough. That's messed up."

It's a pleasant surprise that she has my back on this. For a second, I didn’t expect her to be, especially since I know how much she loves the people in this town.

I decide to table the trespassing for later. The contractors from Atlas soon arrive on the property and the first thing I do is gather them all in my office and introduce them to Emma, who stands beside me.

"Gentlemen," I say to the five men standing across from my desk. "I’ve chosen you for this renovation project because I’m told that you’re the best in town. Now normally that isn't exactly a ringing endorsement…" Emma elbows me in the side and shoots me a look so I amend my statement. "But your portfolio looks good and that’s all that matters to me."

"We won’t let you down, sir," one of them, a stooped-over older man, says, and the rest of them murmur agreement. I notice that their gazes are a lot less antagonistic than before. But I don’t know if it’s my imagination or if they simply changed their minds about me when they learned I was renovating the hotel rather than destroying it.

I don't care either way.

"This is Emma," I continue my speech. "I’m sure most of you already know her but I just wanted to reintroduce her, just in case. She’ll be helping you through this renovation and she'll be pointing out things that you might want to pay particular attention to. Treat her like you would any lead design consultant. Her grandfather used to work here, and she is our liaison, to ensure we’re keeping with the true spirit of the hotel. Any disrespectful behavior toward her will not be tolerated. In addition, I’ll be flying in members of my team from New York to oversee the finer details and I hope you work well with them."

"Yes, sir," they parrot and I nod.

"Alright, let’s get to work."

After they file out, I complete phone calls and arrange details to get my team into town. In the meantime, Emma shows the men around the hotel.

After about an hour, I’m on my way to the main building. I’m barely inside when I hear laughter coming from a hallway on the first floor.

My stomach tenses and I follow the sound, which leads me to Emma, standing with one of the contractors, and laughing at something he said.

It's a man with broad shoulders and floppy brown hair. Straight white teeth when he grins back at Emma. Good-looking, I suppose. Instant hostility fills me at the sight of him.

Before I can control myself, I stalk up to them.

Emma pivots to me when I reach, but I take her by hand subtly pulling her closer while I stare him down. "Shouldn't you be working?"

The smile vanishes off the man's lips. Apprehension enters his gaze. "Yes, I was just asking Emma some questions."

"You have a question then you can ask me," I say without thinking about how unreasonable I sound. "Got it?"

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