Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
"What do you mean?" he asks.
"My friend's boyfriends had an issue with their business. They ended up under investigation. This guy obviously isn't a fair kind of person. There's going to be trouble. He isn't going to go away quietly. You need to plan and carefully consider a strategy."
Lachlan nods thoughtfully.
"Dawn's right," Mitchell says. "It's not all on you to take this on. There are nine of us here. We're strong because we're a team."
"Okay," Lachlan says, bending to pick up the letter and smoothing it against his trousers. "We'll talk later."
It's obvious from the stiff way he changes course that Lachlan isn't used to asking for help. He's used to relying on himself, a lone wolf. But none of us is an island. We all need help sometimes.
Even as I think it, I feel like a hypocrite. My friends and family have all given me advice and I've chosen to fly across the world to avoid it, sure that I know better. Or at least, sure that I don't want to hear what they have to say, even if it comes from love.
Later, when the bar is closed, everyone gathers around the outdoor tables, nursing cold beers. Thomas yawns, rubbing his hand over his face, and I catch his tiredness, yawning too, snuggling closer to Jared, who has his arm around my shoulder.
Lachlan sits opposite with his legs spread wide, his hands behind his head. His eyes are on me, but not in jealousy. At least, I don't think he's jealous. It's more a possessiveness that's lingered since we were together at the beach. But he's stood aside for his friends, and that shows me how much he loves them. It shows me that he can control his temper when he wants to.
"So, this asshole has come back with an offer. It's so low, it's insulting, not that we ever planned to entertain it." Lachlan shifts, pulling the letter from his back pocket and tossing it onto the table in front of him. He slumps back against the chair and watches as Bryce picks it up, reads the short paragraph and passes it to his twin with a grimace. As the letter works its way around, there are more growls of insult and anger.
"Who the fuck does he think he is?" Bradley asks.
"He's as dirty as they come, but he’s also influential, and he has connections." Logan rubs the back of his neck, shaking his head.
"You know this?" I ask.
"I did some research on him."
"So, we play dirty too," Cooper says passionately, tossing the letter back to the table. "We play him at his own game."
"I don’t think you understand what dirty means. We’re not the kind of guys to do illegal shit to defend ourselves, are we?" Bradley says.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather not get into anything messy," Logan says. "I have my mum to consider."
"You won't need to, Logan," Bryce says.
"If he’s so influential and has so many contacts, why is he threatening us? Surely, he could influence his way into getting what he wants."
"Maybe he thinks intimidation will get him what he wants more quickly, or more cheaply," Logan says.
"We can handle this," Bryce says.
"As a first step, I think you should call a lawyer for some advice," I say. "They can prepare you for the kind of evidence you might need if things get bad. Maybe wearing a wire to get him to implicate himself?" I say.
"Yeah, that sounds good," Thomas agrees. "And maybe it's time to install some CCTV around the place. I know we looked into it and couldn't justify the expense, but I think this changes things. I still have the card from that guy, Adam, who came to quote last time. He gave us the best price."
"Aye, look into it," Lachlan agrees.
"The main thing is that we keep our eyes open," Joshua says. "Anything suspicious, no matter how small, we need to share with everyone. He could have people scoping the place. He could have people out to sabotage our business. If we don't have customers, it'll make it easier to get us to sell."
"Good point. I know that none of us like to live this way, dragged down by suspicion, but I don't see that we have much choice." Lachlan stands, his shoulders bunched with tension. Our eyes meet and I nod slowly, acknowledging his frustration. Just that small action seems to help him relax.
For the first time since I arrived at Cloud 9, the atmosphere is somber. The men I've grown to care about so much aren't their usual happy, funny selves. As the meeting disperses, I make my way back to my room alone.
In the quiet of my room, a space I haven't yet gotten used to inhabiting by myself, I pick up my phone and call Carl. Of all of Kyla's many men, Carl reminds me the most of Lachlan. He's the one who's taken on the serious side of the business. He handles the parts that require strategic thinking and organization. He does the hiring and the firing like Lachlan. I know he'll have a perspective on what is happening here. He went through a lot with the tattoo franchises when they were used as a cover for other more nefarious business activities.