Page 65 of When It Reins
Mick’s tone tells us to drop it, so for now, we do and move on to our other hot topic of the meeting.
“What’s going on with Biller Holdings? Have you found any information on them?” Mick’s question is directed at Cheat.
“I have.” Cheat nods, but shrugs his shoulders in answer. “As far as I can tell, there are no contracts between Biller and any development properties. This would be a first for their company to be embarking into real estate. I tried linking them to Aaron Tracks as well and couldn’t find a link. I think this guy made some serious promises, and I don’t know if Biller is planning to follow through.”
“If we get the tax liens paid before the due date, what can they even do?” I ask, unsure how all of this real estate stuff works.
“My guess? They’ll move on and drop it,” Cheat says. His confident tone gives all of us a sigh of relief.
We are pretty quiet with our dealings in our town, but community is important. Allowing some bigwigs to come in and take what is not theirs isn’t something we want them to be able to do.
Then there is the matter of the adjacent property we own and use on a regular basis. If a big box store or something comes along, we will have no choice but to find another property.
Too many eyeballs on the place, and we’d be exposed in no time.
“Is Tracks still in town?” Atlas asks Cheat, knowing that he is likely keeping a close watch on him.
“Not that I’ve seen.” He nods to Loki and me. “After you two put the fear of God into him, I think he left.”
“Keep an eye on it,” Mick demands, his brows furrowed. “If Tracks put some money into this, like he said, he’s not going to go away quietly.”
And if he doesn’t, I’ll just have to make him.
29
juniper
Things don’t shockme very often.
I was a firm roll-with-the-punches type of gal.
However, when the email from Felicity’s label lands in my inbox two hours before the charity concert is set to begin, it’s safe to say I’m standing in pure shock at the sight of it.
There is an offer.
An actual, firm offer to record an EP album with them. I can’t believe my eyes, so when a hand grabs me from behind, I’m quick to spin around, unsure who is grabbing me and why. Thea stares in surprise at my reaction, and I press a hand to my chest, hoping my heart will calm down.
“Whoa. Sorry, baby sister. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Thea smiles sweetly at me and nods to the end of the bar. “Your security is here.”
I glance down and see Mitch standing there, his attention not on me but the men he brought with him. I also have an inkling the Cash brothers plus CT are going to be keeping a careful watch on things tonight.
Luella is watching the one-year-olds for a while so that Thea, Logan, Felicity, and Jax could be here tonight.
It is looking like everyone who is related or even semi-related to me is showing up to support what we are doing tonight. The concert doesn’t start for a couple of hours, but everyone is here to help set up like it is a wedding all over again.
Fond memories from throwing Thea and Logan’s wedding here hit me, and I wonder how that felt to have the man she loves declare it in front of all these people.
Mitch turns then, catching my eye, and I feel my heart leap in my chest. I love him. There is no denying it—even to myself.
But am I ready to admit it to him? Not yet.
I know Mitch needs easing into new things. It took two years for him to come around to the idea of dating me, and I am sure that hearing that I love him is going to be a bit of a shock to hear.
I want to tell him because I can feel every inkling of that love flowing through my bones. He tilts his head to his friends and then aims his smile in my direction. My heart pounds, and the people around me fade as I make my way closer to him.
Like electricity, I feel his touch before he even grasps my hand in his, and he pulls me in tight, holding my body to his own.
I feel him take a deep breath and wonder if holding me feels like this is the only time he can properly breathe, or if that is just me.
