Chapter 0069
When auction day arrived, I was keyed up, waiting in my office with Lily and Kincaid on the line, ready to oversee everything remotely. The auction began as scheduled, my eyes fixed on the screen as each plot of land came up. But as the minutes ticked by, my heart began to sink.
The strip of land I’d been counting on–the keystone in the entire plan–wasn’t listed.
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” Lily said. “The auctioneer didn’t let us pre–bid on it.We thought they just didn’t want to risk losing out, but it’s just… not here.”
Kincaid’s voice chimed in. “Think Lucas got to it?”
He shouldn’t have had the funds to secure it, but I could imagine any number of people lending him money to make it happen. Damn it.
“It’s fine. This is why we have backup plans,” I said sharply. “Start scoping out the other plots. If you can figure out who owns the lands now, let me know. We’ll need to move quickly on the others.”
There was no telling who was on his side helping him if it was Lucas, after all.
Lily hesitated. “Are you sure? Those were secondary for a reason. None of them-”
“I know,” I blew out a short breath. “But better second best than not at all.”
They murmured their agreements, and I ended the call, staring at the blank screen.
I slammed my fist on the desk and growled. A knock sounded on my door. I looked up to see my lead lawyer leaning in.
“You have a moment? I just want to go over a few things with you?”
I nodded. “Come on in.‘
The meeting was pretty quick, considering I wouldn’t have to speak much, as we would rely on the letter of the law and the facts of the case speak for themselves. Within the hour, he left, and though he was confident, it did little to lift my mood. I decided it would be better just to head back to Theodore’s house and wait until dinner.
I’d made it inside and was walking down the hall toward my room when I felt a presence coming up behind me. I spun around, drawing my dagger and aiming at the person only to find Theodore at the far end of the hall, not even in striking distance. He looked fresh from a shower. His dark hair was still damp, his shirt clinging to his shoulders, and there was an energy about him–a sharp, almost primal intensity in his gaze that made me hesitant to lower my dagger.
In some ways, it reminded me of the first night we’d met, the pull I’d felt then, raw and undeniable. My body warmed, but my head knew better. I had only been a one night stand. All
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Chapter 0069
of this talk about being mates was convenient, and this was all just temporary.
He glanced at the blade then back to my face. “A bit far…”
I sheathed it. “I thought you’d be gone for a while longer… Welcome back.”
He grunted and started to approach me. My chest tightened.
+25 BONUS
The corner of his mouth quirked up, but there was something guarded about him, like he was holding something back.
“I heard the lawyers came to visit. How did it go?
His voice sent a jolt through the air, making it prickle against my skin. That could be my imagination, but I didn’t think it was.
“It went as expected. They’re confident.”
“And you?”
“Confient enough.‘
An awkward silence fell between us. I looked away, hoping the tension wasn’t as obvious as it felt. Theodore broke it first.
“How was breakfast?”
The question caught me off guard. It seemed almost absurd.
“Great,” I said, forcing a small smile. “I haven’t had elk in a long time.”
His brows lifted slightly, and something unreadable flickered across his face. Happiness? Was he pleased?
“Good,” he said finally, but his voice was clipped. He shifted, glancing toward his room. “I should finish getting dressed. I have things to take care of.”
I nodded, watching as he turned and walked away. “Of course.”
But as he disappeared down the hall, that pang in my chest returned, sharper than before. His oddly distant demeanor should have been a relief–confirmation that we were finally on the same page, that I wouldn’t have to keep fighting the pull I felt toward him.
Instead, it felt like something had cracked open between us, and I couldn’t decide if it was a blessing or a curse.
Chapter 0070
