Page 9 of The Darkest Knight

She shifted. She’d never liked talking about herself. “With a balance of trust, respect, and love, our bond has grown and strengthened. I trust Abby that she’ll alert me in a time of need.”

“Do you still have seizures?”

“I’ve gone six months without one. Five months before that.”

He was quiet for a long time. “How much money are you providing?”

Her cheeks flushed. “Well, none.”

The silence seemed to spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Then he asked, “Do you have an amount of money in mind to cover expenses?” He lifted a brow.

“I do.”

“Before we get to a number, I’m curious, where will these animals be trained? And do you have trainers in mind? Do the veterans also have to have training before they take a dog?”

“Yes on the trainers, and yes, the veterans will need training also.” She scooted to the edge of the cushion, refusing to lower her gaze. “Regarding where, well, that’s where you can help too. I understand you have prime property here that isn’t being used. Cabins, out buildings, space…”

He blinked. “So, you’re not only asking for a substantial amount of money, but you’re asking for my property too?”

She laid her hands in her lap. “Mr. Knight—”

“Please don’t call me by my father’s name. It’s Seth.”

“Okay, Seth.” She moistened her lips, trying not to fidget under his pensive stare. “I know it’s a lot, and not all the details have been ironed out, but Angelina assured me you can afford it.” His eyes were cool and he pinned her with an icy blue stare. His hair landed below his ears, his beard scraggly. He certainly didn’t fit the appearance code of the military. He had a nice smile, when he actually smiled, which she doubted was often unless he meant it as ridiculing. She understood what prompted these changes in him. She knew how horrible it was to lose someone. She’d lost a good friend too.

“Angelina had been after me for a long time to do something with this place.”

“And it’s very odd that you haven’t. Maybe you’ve been waiting for something special to come along?” When one brow shot up, she swallowed hard understanding what her words insinuated, which was far from what she intended. Sure, he was attractive in a brute sort of way, but she wasn’t looking to get to know him better unless it came with an attached business deal.

“Do you plan to lead this adventure yourself?”

“I thought the two of us would steer the helm. It’s a big project and Angelina had said that you were great with business.”

“Has my late sister given away all my secrets?”

She sighed. Should she be honest? She had a feeling if she wasn’t, he’d see straight through her, and she couldn’t risk coming off as not being transparent. Not when she was asking him to dump a lot of money for the project. “She did say that your heart was broken.”

He dropped his hands into his lap, his shoulders widened as he shook his head and dropped his feet to the floor. “I can’t just give you an answer on this, Ms. Shane—”

“Reese.”

“Okay, Reese. I need time. I have to think about it, run it by my brothers.”

“Oh, I didn’t know they shared in ownership here.”

“They don’t, but we watch each other’s backs, and as good at business as I am, they’re even better. If I agree to this, there must be a safety net so neither one of lose big here, as anyone can in a business deal. There are aspects I need to understand completely before I invest the money. I’d also need a contract drawn up with a stipulation that no matter what happens, whether the business fails, or a personal falling out, that Landing Knight cannot be touched.”

“I’d never—”

He held up a hand. “I’m not saying you would.” He shifted forward. “And you would be considered an employee.”

She blinked. “The project is my idea.”

“Are you investing any money?”

Her shoulders slumped. “No, I’m not.”

“There are rewards to this. You will be on the payroll.”

---