Page 126 of Where the Wicked Reign

It was a massive expansion plan down at Brimbank Waterfront, a neglected space in the south end of the city. There was information she’d obtained from city officials’ communications, citing the plan to develop the entire area. Something that hadn’t even been announced yet. I hadn’t even heard rumors about it, and I had my ear to the ground more than most.

“Jesus Christ,” I breathed. “This is major. It has the ability to alter the landscape of the city, the tourist trade, so much.” I eyed her. “And it will change the face of Camlann Corporation forever into a heavy-hitter if you can become a part of it and make this a reality.”

“That’s the plan.”

“You didn’t know about the proposed development down at Brimbank?” Milo asked me, obviously wondering how that could possibly be when I was so plugged in to things.

“No one does, outside of certain city officials.”

“You hacked them?” Milo asked her.

“Hackedis such a negative term,” she answered.

“You know, with what you’ve put together here, you didn’t need to do that. You don’t need the leg-up, this plan speaks for itself. It’s incredible, Cat.”

“I couldn’t take any chances. I’ve been stampeded over before. I wasn’t going to risk that this time. I’ve made damn sure I’ll be ahead of the game once this goes public.”

“You’re talking about Santino?” Milo asked.

“And possibly the location that you wanted forLusterbeing given toNocturnea few years back,” I added.

“Both,” she told us, honestly.

“You’ve had to fight harder than most just to make any progress,” Milo realized aloud.

She nodded. “And sometimes fighting fair isn’t enough. Hence me going this route with this.” She took my hand and told me earnestly, “But I’m telling you now because I trust youandalso because with the partnership you’re offering, I couldn’t keep you in the dark about something this huge. It didn’t feel right.”

I gave her hand a squeeze. “I appreciate that, darlin’.” I put her laptop down on the coffee table. “You know, though, now you’ve brought this to me, we could do a lot more together partnership-wise. There’s significant capital I can bring to the table from Carver Group, and with the hotel aspect you’re looking to do, my standing where that’s concerned withOpulent Grandwill add a lot of clout. You’d have a controlling stake in our proposed partnership, so you’d be able to rest assured there where the balance of power is concerned.”

She looked at me incredulously. “You’d be willing to do that?”

“It’s different for me. There’s no one out there actively trying to undercut my power. Besides, mine is more established. I’ve been more fortunate than what’s happened to you, meaning it’s not as much of a struggle for me. As such, it’s also not an issue.” At least not from a business standpoint. Power in other areas, however… yeah, that was a whole different ball game for me. “But with this expansion plan, partnering together, we’ll be able to change that for you.”

I saw her taking my words in, mulling it all over.

Then she smiled and shifted on the couch, pulling her legs up under her as she told me excitedly, “Let’s start with the hotel and nightclub partnership and we’ll go from there.”

“Sounds good to me. Any time you’re ready.”

“Now?”

I chuckled. “All right then.”

Milo rose to his feet. “I’ll whip up some sustenance while the two of you get to work on that. While we’re delayed getting to our war meet, anyway.”

“Thanks,” Cat said, beaming out at him.

“That delay is over with,” Nico’s voice suddenly sounded from behind us, and I looked over the couch to see him striding back in.

“Calls taken care of, finally?” I asked. “What the hell kept you on back-to-back ones for the last couple of hours?”

“The Benzinos finally struck back like we’d been expecting.”

Milo moved to his high-alert, rigid state. “How bad?”

“They hit the Flower Market.”

“One of your fronts for Marchetti coke operations,” Cat spoke. “That aspect is currently Giovanni’s purview, yes?”

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