Page 47 of Headed for Home

“That’s beside the point. They’ve made my life miserable. I detest everything about them and now you’re their partner.”

“But I did it for you,” I try again.

“You shouldn’t have.” Her dry tone is almost comical.

“Do you want me to kill the deal?”

“Yes,” she says without pause. But then she sighs. “If that Robert guy wants to sell his property, it’s not my business. But I don’t like that you’re involved with Sutherland Homes.”

“It’s not ideal, but they agreed to stop bothering you and your family.”

“Yeah right,” she scoffs. “For how long?”

“Indefinitely.”

She pauses, a breeze kicking up her wildflower scent. “How much did you give them?”

“Less than my limit.”

“Is this bullshit bargain worth selling your soul to the devil?”

The urge to touch her lifts my arm, but I drop the limb seconds later. “Your happiness means everything to me, beauty. That’s why I did this. You haven’t heard from them in over two weeks, right?”

“I figured they were on vacation,” she grumbles. “What’s to stop them from coming after us again?”

“Me.”

She tugs at her hair. “You’ll fund them to build elsewhere until you’re broke.”

I shrug. “If that’s what it takes for you to be left in peace.”

Cassidy hangs her head. “You should’ve talked to me first.”

“But then you would’ve convinced me not to invest.”

“Exactly! It’s a shitty position you’ve put me in.” She bites the inside of her cheek, avoiding my gaze. “I wish you hadn’t paid them.”

“Will you forgive me?” I reach for her fingers, threading the tips with mine.

“It’s hard not to. Your intentions were decent. Not another penny, okay?”

“But—”

“No, they don’t deserve it. We can get rid of them the old-fashioned way.”

“Like feed them to the pigs?”

She laughs, which is a great sign. “Ignore them until they lose interest.”

My smirk makes a miraculous comeback. “Obviously, I was just testing you.”

“Uh-huh, I’m still not pleased about this. You’re earning your nickname.” Cassidy clucks her tongue.

“Will you let me make it up to you?” I pull her flush against me, wrapping us in a hug that soothes the ache.

She rests her chin on my sternum, fluttering her lashes. “How might you do that?”

“I can be very creative and thorough.” A peek at my watch spurs me into action. “But first, we need to hustle or we’ll miss the surprise.”

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