Chapter 3
three
Scotlyn.
I enjoyed an espresso at my desk, enjoying the strong brew as I scrolled through property reports on my tablet.
"The McKenzie family accepted my offer," I announced as Alexander walked in, not bothering to look up.
My brother was a creature of habit and always came in at seven-thirty on Wednesday mornings for a private weekly check-in before meeting with our father.
I was excited as hell to let him know things were falling in place because he was the only person I could discuss this with.
"Already?" He dropped into the chair across from me and set his briefcase on the floor next to him. "Damn, that was fast."
"Money talks. Especially when you offer twenty percent above market value." I looked up and smiled arrogantly.
"Twenty percent. That's a lot, Scot."
"This property is worth two times that amount and I want it."
"You haven't even seen it in person yet," my brother clarified, then poured a cup of coffee from the carafe on my desk.
"I'm flying out next week." I swiped on my tablet to show him the aerial photos of that I had taken two days ago.
It cost me but I wanted updated visuals.
"Look at this. Direct access to a natural private lake.
It's exactly what I've been searching for.
Can you imagine the multi-million dollar properties I can build on that lake and along the beach front. "
He studied the images but his expression was impassive. "It's beautiful, damn sure has a lot of potential, but Dad is going to have a lot of fucking questions when he finds out you're developing outside of the Whitney legacy."
"I don't care. I'm using my own money. The inheritance Mom left wasn't tied to the family business for a reason. She wanted me to have options."
And independence…
Our mother had been my greatest advocate. The only one who truly understood my need to have a voice in this stupid ass, male-dominated Whitney dynasty. The money she left me was my guarantee of having something that could genuinely be mine.
"I’m not worried about your father.” I cut my eyes at Alex who grinned because my sarcasm was loud as hell.
“This property is different. I don’t want just another Whitney Hotel or development with our name slapped on the side."
Alex grunted. The Whitney properties were a hell of a lot more than just hotels with our name slapped on the side but I was being dramatic.
"You know I support whatever you want to do, Scot. I always have, but you're walking into some bullshit. Not just with our father but with Devereaux."
The mention of Christian had my attention more than the mention of our father.
"I’m assuming you did the research I asked for?"
"Yeah, I did. There was no fucking way I was letting you do this without knowing all the moving pieces.
" He reached down and pulled a folder from his briefcase and I smiled.
Alex was old school, just like our father, but it didn't annoy me the way it did with that man .
"Christian Devereaux. Thirty-eight years old.
Comes from a powerful local family in Crescent Falls with questionable business interests throughout the south. "
"Define business interests." I reached for the folder.
"Legitimate ones like upscale hotels, nightclubs, and a casino resort. All of them have been acquired within the last five years which is interesting. He’s invested a lot of money branding his family name in specific lanes. There are also rumors of other things." Alex's expression turned serious.
"Like what?"
"Their family is deeply connected, politically and with some shit you don’t need to be attached to. I’m really not feeling this."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning you're walking into his territory and taking something he clearly wants. Their family has a reputation because they’re connected to a group called The Collective."
"Which is?"
I could tell from the look he delivered that I wouldn't like what he was about to tell me.
"It's a network of influential Black families who have pull. Legal and illegal . The Devereauxs are in deep. On the surface, they push political affiliations that support Black politics, but they're really just criminals."
I flipped through the file, studying the images of Christian.
He was sexy as hell with eyes the color of brown liquor that looked good against his caramel skin.
In some of his pictures, his beard had some hang time, which was my weakness, and the barely there smirk had my stomach tensing a little.
His file said thirty-eight but I could easily give him late twenties, maybe early thirties at most. But his eyes held the experience of someone who had been through things.
"Interesting," I mumbled, while my focus shifted to another image of him at what looked like a charity event. Shit…this man was fine as hell. "But it doesn't change anything."
"And you're also using Scot Whitney on all the paperwork. He probably thinks he's dealing with a man which means he's likely thinking by any means necessary."
I smiled. "That's his problem, not mine. I can handle myself and since when do you have a problem with me being ambiguous about my gender? You’re the one that told me it's useful in negotiations. People are more straightforward when they think they're dealing with a man instead of a woman."
"Yeah, I said all that, and normally that's true, but this is different, Scot. I won’t be there. You’re doing this solo. When he finds out…"
"By the time he finds out, it will be too late for him to do anything about it and bullying a woman, even in business negotiations, won’t work in his favor." I closed the file and handed it back to him. "I'm not worried about Christian."
Based on the look Alex gave me, he didn't seem convinced.
"You should be. He's not like the developers you've dealt with and outmaneuvered before. The Devereauxs are a different beast, Scot. They're fucking criminals."
"I didn't get where I am by backing down when things get complicated and I’m not a criminal which also works in my favor."
"Don’t get too cocky. You got where you are by being more strategic and patient than everyone else. He wins by playing by a different set of rules or by any means necessary. You can’t compete with that. Just be careful with this one, please."
I nodded, appreciating the concern. Unlike our father, Alex trusted my abilities and not in some condescending way that was rooted in the theory that women weren’t capable — they simply got a pass because men liked to have them around for eye candy.
He was still stressed, but I moved on. There wasn't a damn thing he could say to change my mind about this.
"The property is perfect for my first solo venture. I want to develop luxury residences, high-end retail, and a boutique hotel. I can already see it."
"And you're sure this is worth the potential fall out with our father? He's been in a fucking mood since his last board meeting."
Since the younger members started hinting around to him stepping down and handing over the reins…
"He’s always in a damn mood. You run the hotel division.
Valerie handles resorts. I oversee development.
He has no relevance. We all have our business lanes with the family and he hates that but needs us.
Regardless, what I do with my personal finances is my business and there’s not a damn thing he can do about how I spend my money. "
"He's not going to see shit that way. Move smart, Scot. Not just with our father, but in Crescent Falls. You'll be on Devereaux's home turf which gives him the advantage and makes you the outsider."
"I’ll be fine. We need to head downstairs for the quarterly review. Are you coming?"
"In a minute. I need to call Elaine first."
I nodded, lifted my tablet and notes, and paused at the door. "Thank you, Alex. I love you and appreciate you looking out for me."
Me and my siblings weren't known for showing open affection but we genuinely loved each other. We were groomed to keep our emotions locked away, especially where public perception is concerned.
"That's what brothers do. Even when their big sisters are as stubborn as hell and pains in the ass."
"I'm not stubborn. I'm determined and willing to stand on business."
"That's what you keep telling yourself but you're really just fucking stubborn, Scot."
I grinned and left, heading to the elevators so he could make his call.
My mind was already mapping out the next steps for the project.
The property represented everything I currently needed: independence, creative control, and the chance to build something not stamped with the Whitney seal of approval, which meant being under my father's thumb.
After the way he manipulated me and my marriage, I needed separation and possibly an out.
My assistant James met me in the hallway outside my office and fell into step beside me, jumping right in.
"Your survey team will arrive in Crescent Falls tomorrow afternoon.
Your suite at The Metropolitan is confirmed and the car service will be waiting at the airport.
" He handed over a folder, which I accepted.
"Thank you. Any other communication from the McKenzies about the accelerated closing timeline I requested?"
"They agreed to all your terms. One week to finalize details. Their attorney says that's as fast as they can handle the estate paperwork."
"Perfect, and the discretionary budget for this project?"
"Set up as requested. Fully separate from Whitney corporate accounts."
The elevator arrived and we both stepped in. "One more thing. Find out everything you can about Devereaux's current projects in the city. I want to know what else he's interested in besides this waterfront I just took from him."
"On it. Anything else?"
"Schedule dinner with a few local business leaders as soon as possible. I want to know who matters in Crescent Falls."
"Anyone specific you want me to include?"