Page 19 of Emergence and Ascendance

"You do," she confirmed.

I did. Elias was a great husband to my sister and an even better father to my niece and nephew. I respected him and loved how he cared for and loved his family.

A family that I was never going to fucking have…

"I'll let you know when I get in touch with Jona, and if I don't, I'll let you know when Miles will be on his way to get her."

"That works. Love you."

"Love you too."

"And are you sure you're okay?"

Aja.

"I'm good, Cress. Better than I have been in years."

I ended the call and another came through from Werner immediately after.

"Yeah."

"It looks like she's scheduled to finalize the paperwork next Tuesday."

Scotlyn was due to arrive this morning, and after some digging, I found out her survey team was supposed to meet up at the property by ten. I planned on being there to set up a meeting with her to offer an alternative to what she assumed was happening. There was no way in hell I was letting her walk away with what belonged to me.

"Get me a time and location."

"Done, I already emailed the details. I assume you plan on joining them."

"I do."

"You want me there?"

"No, but I need you to be available just in case."

"Understood."

I ended the call with Werner and leaned back in my chair, processing what I planned on doing, but then I got sidetracked by the beautiful face trying to fuck me by offering twenty-percent over asking price. Fucking brilliant and exactly what I would do. Scot Whitney, who I now knew was Scotlyn Whitney, had played this shit perfectly but she also hadn't considered how important this was to me. This property would mean a steady flow of residual income that The Collective couldn’t touch. It was time to get up close and personal with the brains behind the beauty that was Scotlyn Whitney.

five

Scotlyn.

When I pulled up, I was surprised to see a Bentley parked near the entrance of the property but even more surprised when I realized who it belonged to.

My eyes were immediately drawn to him leaning against the side of his car trying to look casual. A man like Christian didnotlook casual. A woman’s wet dream? Intense? A walking red flag? The perfect disaster? Sex in a tailored suit? All of those applied but definitelynotcasual. His sexy ass was proving to be very cliché. Cocky and used to getting whatever he wanted because that was the only reason he pulled up on me. He wanted something I had and was about to be sorely disappointed. I walked up and stopped a few feet away.

"Mr. Devereaux." Up close I know I’m in trouble. The world attractive is too simple to describe this man.

He further confirmed that when he delivered an unfairly sexy smile. "Ms. Whitney. Just wanted to welcome you to Crescent Falls myself."

"How sweet but I'm guessing your welcome comes with strings attached."

"Straight to the point. I like that..." He pushed off his car and moved closer. The man was incredibly sexy and the powermove of being here only added to his persona. Pulling up on me was very cocky and ego driven. It fit the visual and had a cluster of butterflies launching their attack in my stomach. “…I won't insult your intelligence."

I arched a brow and his eyes met mine although mine were covered by my shades, which I was very grateful for because now I was currently eye fucking him. These shades gave me the ability to completely enjoy this fine ass man without being too obvious.

"You came out of nowhere and outbid me on a property I've been vetting for months."

---