Page 61 of A Life Imagined
“I suspect the city doesn’t care where they end up, as long as it’s not here.”
“Durand’s just passing on the problem.It would mean putting children, families out on the streets.”
And then Rayan’s head was no longer fuzzy.In fact, he was struck by a strange clarity.His mind caught on an idea, crazy yet potentially feasible.“We don’t need the city’s money.I’ll find a way to get it myself.”
Mathias eyed him skeptically.“I think that rock hit you harder than you thought.”
“We submitted a proposal to the council for the housing facility,” Rayan explained.“It won’t solve the whole impossible situation, but it will help at least.The majority of funding for the build has already been secured by an EU grant.We only needed the city to front seven million to get it off the ground.”
“Let me guess—Durand wasn’t too keen?”
Rayan nodded.“They voted it down.”
“Seven million isn’t exactly pocket change.Even I’d be hard-pressed to magic that kind of money out of thin air.”
“We could fund it privately, reach out to donors here and abroad.”Rayan gestured at the blackened TV.“You saw the backlash.There will be people who want to contribute.We wouldn’t have anything to do with the city.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”Mathias downed the rest of his drink.“You’ll need planning approval from the council, permits for construction.You can try to skirt them, but as soon as the city figures out what you’re using the building for, they’ll shut you down.”
Rayan frowned.There was the rub—Durand’s opinions on the issue were too entrenched.Even if they removed all the obstacles and required nothing from the council, the mayor would still fight them on principle.
But Rayan was done waiting for permission.Durand’s word wasn’t the end of it.Rayan’s time with the family had taught him that everyone could be persuaded one way or another.While intimidation was off the table, there were plenty of other routes they could take to get the mayor to reconsider.
“Then I’ll make him change his mind.”
“With your bleeding heart?”Mathias asked.
“Can’t very well use my fists.”
“Only two things speak to men like Durand—money and public sway.”
“Laurent has contacts.We can get other organizations to petition the council, put pressure on him that way.”
“And the money?You’ll just go around with your hand out?”
Rayan bristled at his tone.Granted, it was different from how they’d gotten things done in the past.But that wasn’t an option anymore.“That’s how this works.Unless we call in another favor with the Bratva and see if they can extort Durand into submission.”
Mathias scowled, and Rayan felt a splinter of remorse.The man had gone out on a limb by calling Belkov to help locate Farhan.
“No one gives a shit about a tiny town in France with a camp full of refugees,” Mathias said.“It’s a drop in the fathomless ocean of pain and suffering—”
“I give a shit,” Rayan snapped.
“I’m well aware,” Mathias growled.“I just spent the afternoon standing around while you got your head sewn up.”He slammed his empty glass down on the coffee table.“What’s next—someone shanks you for food rations?I’ll be sure to show up in time to watch them shove your guts back in.”
He stood and stalked into the kitchen.Mathias’s irritation, his silence in the car—it was stupid of Rayan not to realize.He got to his feet and followed Mathias into the kitchen.
“I didn’t mean to worry you,” he said as Mathias opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water.
Mathias scoffed and placed the bottle down on the kitchen counter.His jaw tightened.“I wasn’t worried.”
“My mistake.”
The sedative had well and truly worn off, and Rayan’s forehead ached where the nurse had stitched up the skin.He recalled the sense of relief he’d felt at the hospital.He had given voice to his darkest fear, and Mathias had refused to accept his guilt, offering clemency instead.
“Thanks for coming to get me.”
Mathias sighed, and the lines of anger on his face softened.“Next time, throw a fucking rock back.”
