Page 9 of Until Bax

CHAPTER3

Bax

“When we get to the property tomorrow, you and I can go over the changes you’ve made to the blueprint and confirm that everything will fit within the property lines.”

“It will fit,” Albert says, and my fingers flex around the steering wheel.

“Itshould, but we still need to confirm that before we submit everything to the county. You’re not just wanting to change the interior layout by adding another room to the already existing floor plan; you want to add an extra three-car garage that changes theentirefootprint of the house,” I state calmly, wishing Talon would have agreed to call Albert back instead of pawning the call off on me.

I love my job, but I absolutely hate dealing with our clients. At least the ones who think that, just because they have some money, they should be allowed to do whatever they want.

“We purchased three acres. If it doesn’t fit, I should just buy a house in a subdivision and save myself the headache of building.”

He did buy three acres, but the lot is longer than it is wide, so what he’s trying to accomplish might not be possible, at least not with the second garage attached to the house.

“We’ll figure things out tomorrow when we meet at the property.” I turn onto my street, and it takes me a minute to comprehend the sight in front of me. A large semi is backed up to the edge of Kourtney’s driveway, almost blocking the entire cul-de-sac.

Olivia is standing in front of the truck, wearing sneakers, a pair of tight black shorts that hit her midthigh, and a loose, long-sleeved top that is cut off, showing a glimpse of her waist, her hair up in a bun on top of her head. Both her hands are up, pressing against the front grill like she is preventing the truck from moving or could possibly stop it from going forward if the man behind the wheel decided to put his foot on the gas.

What the fuck?

“Albert, I’m going to have to call you back. I just ran into an issue.”

“That’s all right. I’ve got some work to do. I’ll just see you tomorrow at nine.”

“That works. See you then.” I hang up as my gaze locks on Olivia, who looks panicked. Then again, she’s facing off against a fucking semi.

I angle my truck in a way that, if the semi tried to leave the cul-de-sac, they’d have trouble getting around me without hitting my vehicle, then throw the shifter in park. Getting out, I tell Gemma to stay and slam my door shut.

“Oli, back the fuck away from the truck,” I order over the sound of the engine of the semi revving as I walk up to her.

“They told me they’re not dropping off my stuff unless I pay them two thousand dollars on top of the eight thousand I already paid them.”

“All right.” I get close to her and lower my voice. “We’ll sort this out, but I need you to back away from the truck.”

“I—”

“Please,” I grit out, and she looks like she’s about to listen, but right at that moment, the engine revs once again, causing her eyes to narrow.

“No.” She lifts her chin stubbornly. “I’m not moving until they give me my stuff.”

“Oli—”

“I’m not moving. You’re going to have to pry my dead body from their bumper.”

Fuck me. I don’t remember her being so stubborn when she was younger, but then again, I don’t really know thewomanin front of me.

Pulling out my phone from my back pocket, I dial 911, then tuck my cell between my shoulder and ear before I step up behind her and wrap my arms around her in a bear hug.

“What are you doing?” she shrieks when I lift her off of her feet.

Ignoring her, I carry her toward my truck. Then, with her still kicking, wiggling, and shouting for me to put her down, I tell the operator to send an officer to my address. When I get to my truck, I put her on her feet and press her up against the side of it, using my height and weight to hold her in place so she can’t get loose. Opening the door and maneuvering her into the space, I force her up and onto the passenger seat, hearing the semi move forward and catching a glimpse of it out of the corner of my eye as it gets closer to my truck.

“I’m not?—”

“You’re going to sit here until the police show up,” I clip, cutting her off, and her head jerks back, her eyes flaring with disbelief.

“I’m not a kid. You can’t tell me what to do!” she shouts, attempting to get out.

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