Page 104 of Down Knot Out
The dock, where the water taxi’s engine failed.
The equipment shed, where thousands in tools disappeared.
The cabins, where permits keep stalling.
One by one, the pressure points emerge. Not random. Strategic. Designed to push us to the edge.
I pull my notepad back in front of me, staring at the names I wrote in bold, angry capital letters.
Northeastern Development Consulting.
Redwater Holdings.
They mean nothing. Reveal nothing. Which is the point.
But the list of people who knew about our project before we filed the first permit? That list is short. And the ones with the money, access, and legal savvy to set up a shell company?
Shorter still.
Nathaniel would point the finger at the Burtons. His father has made it more than clear he doesn’t approve of the way we’re handling the project he financed, and if we were shut down, he could snap it up at a huge discount.
But, as much of an asshole as Maxwell is, I can’t picture him putting lives at risk.
And he’s not the only one with money and a reason to hold a grudge.
There’s also the Harrises, who are still bitter about Blake walking out.
We also can’t discount my familial pack. The Sterlings were furious when we refused to accept their proposed Omega for our pack.
And then there are the Sinclairs. Our problems didn’t start until Chloe arrived, and our meeting at their law office proved they’ve been playing the long game where she’s concerned.
Northeastern Development Consulting could have been who they set up to handle the Santaro situation if it came to a head, and they shifted gears when Chloe came here instead.
There’s no way to know for sure until we figure out who owns Redwater.
And until we do, we’re left vulnerable.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chloe
The chair in my new writing office swallows me whole, just the way I like, so why won’t the words come?
After the job site incident, it had taken a couple of days for the rattle in my brain to pass, but this morning was supposed to be different. I had set my alarm for six, grabbed a fresh cup of coffee from the kitchen, and came here ready to write.
But now I’m staring at my writing document, and my mind refuses to come up with the scene. My characters lie tangled in the sheets of their castle bedroom, and instead of untangling them, I’m refreshing my inbox for the third time in an hour, willing the blinking dot beside Jennifer’s name to disappear on its own.
It doesn’t.
The subject line burns into my retinas.
RE:Legal and Marketing Timeline.
With a sigh, I click it open. Maybe it’s a simple question. Maybe the world hasn’t ended.
Chloe,
Hope you’re well. Legal and Marketing have additional concerns regarding the Sinclair inheritance litigation and resultant complications for your current contract. Please review the attached for further details.
