Page 46 of Alpha's Redemption

“Why would it upset me? It's your hotel,” I tell her.

“Well, legally, yes. But it was your mother's.”

“You don't want to continue the rebuild or sell it?” I ask, wondering what she’s getting at. I would never interfere with the hotel. My mother left it to Everly; she wanted her to have it—therefore Everly is free to do as she pleases with it. Though I hope she won't sell it off.

“No. Notsellit-sell it, I’ll still own it, but…”

My brows furrow and I accelerate as the light turns green.

“Just say it, Everly,” I tell her, and she sighs.

“I was planning on doing it anyway before you came back into the picture. But now you are, I thought I should ask,” she says.

“It's your hotel. That won’t change regardless, so tell me what you want to do.”

“I’m running out of funds for the rebuild. The insurance didn't cover everything, and the savings set aside for emergencies are running out. Everything else is locked down in term deposits and trust funds, which I don't want to touch unless necessary. I know you offered to help, but–”

“But you refuse to take money from me,” I growl. We have a kid and live together, yet she never lets me pay for everything for her or Valarian; she’s always contributing, even though I don't want or need her money. But hearing all this makes me wonder how much shedoeshave.

“I don't want a handout, and I don't want to owe anyone,” she says.

“I'm your mate,” I tell her.

“I’ve never needed help, and I don't want it, but Macey and Zoe have been pooling their money to invest…”

“You want to split the place three ways? Change ownership into three titles?” I ask, and she nods, glancing at me before she starts nervously defending herself.

“I know it was your mother's, and I’ll still own it. But Macey was telling me last night, she and Zoe are looking into buying something investment-wise to leave to their kids, and I was already going–”

“I think it's a good idea,” I cut her off, and she turns in her seat to look at me.

“You do?” She actually seemed shocked.

“It may have been my mother’s, but you three girls built that place. I do have one condition if you go ahead, though,” I tell her, and she clicks her tongue.

“I'm not losing ownership, just partnering up–” she starts to say.

“Give it to them,” I interrupt her, and she gapes at me.

“I think you're missing the point, Valen. I kind of can't afford to unless I touch Valarian's money, which I don't want to do. I don't know how much they have, but anything will help with the rebuild, and the money will only be going back into the hotel until we can open, and then I would hand it back.”

“I know that, but my condition is either I buy it off you, or you give it to them and let me cover the rest of the cost,” I tell her.

“No. I don't want your money, and Macey and Zoe wouldn't agree to that anyway. They would think they owe you.”

What is with these girls and settling debts—even gifts?

“Then split it four ways. We don't need their money, Everly, and they’re like your sisters. You three built it. I can get contracts drawn up so they know I can't interfere with the hotel. I’ll merely be an investor; I’ll hold no control,” I tell her. “Once Valarian comes of age, I can transfer any title I have to his name.”

“Just let me ask the girls first,” she says, and I nod.

I would rather she take the money, but she’s too headstrong. Maybe I can speak to the girls and get them to convince her. The way I see it, they helped build it to the way it is, they should have equal shares. Besides, they may not believe or think it, but I owe them for being there when I wasn't. So if this helps them and clears my guilty conscience, it’s a win-win.

When we pull up at her father’s accountant’s building, my father is already there, waiting. Everly climbs out of the car and waves to him. While I grab the box of files off the backseat, Everly opens the back door and snatches a pink folder from next to it.

“I can take it,” I tell her, eyeing the folder. She shakes her head, making me confused. What has she done that she doesn't want me to see? She almost looks embarrassed.

When she closes the door, my father hugs her. I can tell he’s tickled pink about her pregnancy. John also meets us and we all walk into the accountant's office, along with my own accountant that arrived at the same time. Not that I don't trust John's accountant, but I want to be sure.

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