Page 70 of Saving Her Heart
"Insurance will cover basic replacement. The upgrades are on Gallo Construction. Consider it an investment in the community."
Ian Gallo appears with Mia. "The Gallo Foundation will cover temporary housing costs for all displaced residents. No one loses their home because some asshole." Ian's expression is cold. "She chose to participate in William's scheme. But the community takes care of its own mistakes."
Captain Ramirez calls me aside. "We have a problem. William made bail."
"What? How?"
"Hidden accounts we didn't know about. Two million dollar bail, paid in full from his Cayman accounts we hadn't found yet," Captain Ramirez explains. "The FBI is tracking the rest, but he had more hidden than we initially discovered. The man's been planning this for years. At least he's out with an ankle monitor."
"He's a flight risk?—"
"Judge didn't see it that way. William's lawyer argued he's too old and sick to run."
"That's bullshit?—"
"I know. We have surveillance on him. But technically, he's free until trial."
I look at Kendall, laughing with the Bad News Babes about something Gertie did. She doesn't know yet. But she doesn't need to know yet, either. Let her have this moment of peace.
But I double-check my weapon and text Declan to increase patrols around all of Kendall's properties.
As the sun sets, the work continues. The whole town has shown up now—business owners, residents, even people from neighboring communities who heard what happened. The news crews are here too, broadcasting the story of a community refusing to let domestic terrorism win.
"Look at this," Kendall says, showing me her phone. The headline reads: "Florida Town Unites to Rebuild After Arson Attack."
"You did this," I tell her.
"The Gallo’s did this. The whole town."
"No, I mean you. You've spent years taking care of these people. Now they're taking care of you."
She leans against me as we watch the construction lights come on so work can continue into the night.
"Jax?"
"Yeah?"
"Move in with me. Officially. Not just for protection."
I turn to look at her. "You sure?"
"My apartment might have cameras in it?—"
"Had. We removed them all."
"—and one of my buildings burned down?—"
"Being rebuilt."
"—and I'm probably going to be dealing with insurance and construction for months?—"
"Years, probably."
She laughs. "You're not helping me sell this very well."
"I'm saying yes," I tell her. "To all of it. The chaos, the construction, the goat-related disasters that will definitely happen."
"Gertie's a saint," she protests as the goat walks by dragging someone's entire tool belt.
