Page 73 of Dark Rover's Gift

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KIAN

As a knock sounded on Kian's partially open office door, Jackson poked his head in. He smiled and rose to his feet.

"Come in." He offered the young immortal his hand. "Thank you for making time in your busy schedule."

"I'm honored to be invited." Jackson shook his hand with a grin spreading over his handsome face. "It was such a nice surprise to see your text last night."

"As soon as Kyra told me her sisters' idea, I knew you were the guy to call. I know that shopkeeping isn't your area of expertise, but you must know a lot about commercial refrigerators and where to shop for supplies."

Despite his young age, Jackson was a successful entrepreneur who ran several commercial bakeries and supplied coffee shops and restaurants throughout Los Angeles. And to think that he had started out as Nathalie's assistant in her father's coffee shop only a few years ago.

His rapid success was awe-inspiring.

"I do." Jackson pulled out a chair next to the conference table. "And I'll gladly show them the ropes."

Kian was surprised. "Do you have time for that? You are always running around."

"I was." Jackson leaned back in the chair. "I'm finally making enough money to employ good help, so I can focus on expanding my empire or take my mate out on all the dates I couldn't take her out on when I was running like crazy, trying to do everything myself."

"Glad to hear that. How is Tessa doing? Is she still working for Eva?"

"Part-time," Jackson said. "She dedicates two days a week to the halfway house. It's important for the girls to see someone who was in their situation and who has mostly healed. She also helps Ella with the fundraising, although Jacki has taken over that part since she got the government to contribute to the cause. The female is a genius."

Kian chuckled. "She is. Or perhaps she just knows humans better than we do. I never expected it to be so easy, nor was I aware of how much of taxpayers' money was being squandered on fake causes. At least ours is real, and all the funds go to the rehabilitation effort. No one's getting rich from it."

Nodding, Jackson crossed his arms over his chest. "If I knew that the real money was in politics and not in commerce or industry, I might have chosen a different career."

With his looks and his charm, Jackson could have done great in politics, but as an immortal he couldn't afford to be in the public eye, so that had never been an option for him.

"I'm glad you've chosen to get into the baking business. Kyra and her sisters are going to be here any moment, and I want to brief you first about their idea."

Jackson leaned forward. "You mentioned that they want to open a grocery store. The refrigeration and freezer units won't be a problem—I have good contacts in the commercial wholesale equipment. The real challenge is the supply chain because we can't get deliveries to the village. Only our people can do that."

"Right. So, what do you suggest?"

"Get them a large van, maybe two, equipped with the same security features as all our other vehicles. They could make supply runs themselves and load up at various wholesale locations around LA." Jackson pulled out his phone, scrolling through his notes. "I can introduce them to my suppliers."

"That could work."

"I can also help them set up accounts or even funnel their purchases through my accounts. That might make things easier for them at the beginning. If they need help with the business side of things, I can give them a few pointers, but I don't have time to hold their hands throughout it. They would have to take a course or figure out things for themselves."

"Of course," Kian said. "I'm thankful for all the help you are offering. It's more than I expected."

As another knock sounded at the door, Kian rose to his feet again and walked over to welcome Kyra and her four sisters.

"Good morning," he greeted them and offered his hand to Kyra first.

"Good morning." She smiled as she shook his hand. "Thank you for agreeing to see us on such short notice."

"I liked your idea, and I brought in an expert." He motioned at Jackson. "Please, sit down, and I'll introduce everyone." He gestured to the chairs around his conference table.

When they were all seated, he took his place at the head of the table. "Let me introduce Jackson. He runs a successful food service empire, and he is the one supplying our café. He's kindly agreed to help with your venture."

"Thank you," Soraya said, studying Jackson with the shrewd assessment of someone who'd learned to judge character quickly. "We appreciate your assistance."

"Happy to help," Jackson replied. "I understand you want to open a grocery store. It's a great idea. The village needs one."

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