CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
T he tires squeal as I take the last turn too tight. I can almost hear Kenzie giggling about me getting stuck in the mud, but there’s no humorous tone in my truck on this drive. Not when the headquarters for Sutherland Homes is straight ahead.
I speed through the enormous parking lot that’s far too large for their measly business. It doesn’t surprise me that the assholes insist on occupying more real estate than needed. The reflection shining off the mirrored building is blinding. Go figure. These dipshits want me to be disoriented when I stumble inside. Rather than risk giving them an advantage, I crank the wheel and slam to a halt in the center of four spaces.
My trusty bat beckons me from the backseat. I consider slinging it over my shoulder as added insurance, but Cassidy’s logic stops me. As I stomp toward the entrance empty-handed, the promise I made to her pounds into my skull.
She insists that I don’t use physical violence or cause bodily harm. Not sure how one happens without the other but that would’ve been another argument entirely. Besides, what I have planned is much worse.
But it was in my best interest to agree with Cassidy last night, especially once she whipped open that secret drawer. My ass clenches at the reminder and I smirk. That sexual exploration wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for Shawn swooping in like Gary Poppins and taking the twins home with him. If Cassidy had to procreate with someone other than me, he was a solid choice.
Those thoughts vanish in a bubble of lube when I nearly rip the front door off its hinges. Time to get my main brain in the game. Unfortunately, normal functioning hits snooze as I step into the lobby. A sterile scent burns my nose to the point of frying circuits. The stench matches the stark white appearance. I almost shield my eyes against the offensive glare bouncing off every surface. There’s no trapping a gag while I wade into enemy territory.
The receptionist is on the phone, but she smiles at my approach. That coy tilt to her lips falls flat as I storm past her. She scrambles to stand and gets yanked backward by her headset. Should’ve gone wireless. Cheap bastards.
“Excuse me, sir?” She calls after me. “Do you have an appointment? You can’t just walk in—”
“Watch me,” I bellow in return.
The layout is a standard maze and I follow my gut to the rear wall. A section of oversized offices reward my assumption. I search for the boss, not bothering to knock. Several people are gawking at me from their cubicles and I offer them a gracious wave. Unless Alan is in the audience. Fuck that guy.
As luck would have it, Mr. Sutherland himself is available when I stride into his corner fortress. The view is superb and steals my breath for a moment. Ken whirls around, putting an end to his putting practice. Alarm registers on his wrinkly features but quickly melts off once he recognizes me.
“Hello, Mr. Granger. This is a surprise. Tracey didn’t inform me that you were stopping by.” He glares at his phone as if scolding the woman remotely.
“I didn’t have an appointment.” My arm swings in an aww-shucks motion.
“Oh, that’s quite all right. My schedule is always open for you. Take a seat.” He motions to a leather monstrosity that probably moonlights as a sticky trap.
“I’d rather stand. This won’t take long.”
Mr. Sutherland rounds his desk and takes a load off. “I must admit that I’m a bit starstruck. The Mustangs are my favorite sports team. I’m a major fan of yours in particular.”
“How nice,” I deadpan. “I’d give you an autograph but that would be too kind.”
Ken recoils at my harsh rebuttal but he recovers like the professional he’s pretending to be. “We’ve been waiting to hear from you. A personal visit is more than I anticipated.” A wide grin flaunts his porcelain veneers. “Alan deserves a raise.”
I cough into my fist. “That’s fucking rich.”
“Precisely.”
“Are you responsible for his actions yesterday?”
“Can you be more specific?” Slippery fucker, this one.
“You’re aware Alan spoke to the mother of my future stepchildren.”
“I’m not sure who you’re referring to, Mr. Granger.”
“Cassidy Brooks.” I snap my fingers, demanding he keep up. “They had somewhat of an altercation last night.”
His loose flesh jiggles when he nods. “Ah, yes. The interaction didn’t sound successful, but here you are.”
Anger rushes to the surface but I choke down the slew of expletives desperate to slap him. This is meant to be dragged out entirely for my benefit. “Agree to disagree on that one, Ken. We’ll circle back in a moment. As Cassidy was recalling the monumental error your dear Alan decided to make, I began to wonder if you sent him to intimidate her. Do you know why that is?”
“Are you suggesting that my employees are engaging in unethical practices to obtain information?”
“No, not at all. That’s none of my business.” I chuckle when Mr. Sutherland has the audacity to look proud. That won’t do. “What’s really piqued my interest is if you understand the clusterfuck you’ve created for yourself.”
Ken straightens in his chair. “I beg your pardon?”
My boots scuff his polished floor as I take a lap of his luxury to delay the inevitable a bit longer. “My lawyer strongly advised me to not get involved and allow him to do his job. In most cases, I’m not even aware when Frank is handling legal matters for me. But this is personal.”
“How so?”
“Let’s not beat around the beaver bush, Ken. You know why I’m here.”
His eyes gleam. “To invest in our next project.”
Laughter folds me in half. I smack the wall on my way down for extra impact. My upper half shakes from the effort of really nailing this performance. There might even be fake tears on my cheeks that I make a point to wipe away.
Ken’s saggy jowls remain unflappable. “I missed the joke, Mr. Granger.”
“There wasn’t one. Your incompetence is hilarious.”
“I’ve had enough with the insults,” he gripes.
My lips pucker at his attitude. Such a fun sponge. “How close did you inspect the contract my lawyer drafted before signing it?”
Mr. Sutherland sighs, reaching his limit of the game I’m playing. “I assure you that we’re very diligent.”
“Is that right?” I scrub my chin. “Do you recall section four on page three?”
“Afraid not, Mr. Granger. What’re you getting at?”
“I believe it was item B that clearly states Sutherland Homes hereby agrees to terminate all communication with Ms. Cassidy Brooks upon entering this partnership with Mr. Drake Granger. Failure to do so will result in a breach of contract. Don’t quote me for accuracy but that’s the gist.” My smile stretches to the stars as he sputters. “Now, let’s return to the topic of Alan’s successful discussion with Cassidy. It went pretty well for you, hmm?”
His complexion is blistering red, ready to pop. “You’re lying.”
“Nah, Ken. That’s not one of my specialties. But I do cover my bases. Something told me you couldn’t be trusted, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Did you really think I wouldn’t include an escape clause? All you had to do was abide. Unfortunately for you, I’m smarter than you expected. You saw me as an easy payday.” I cluck my tongue, heaving a loud sigh for good measure.
“What are you—?”
“Don’t worry,” I cut him off. “I’m not done. You’ve underestimated me and my devotion to Ms. Brooks. To your detriment. And now your business will pay for it.”
Mr. Sutherland rises to his feet, stabbing a finger into his desk. “Listen here, Mr. Granger. I’d never sign such a document.”
“You did and there’s proof.” I offer a lame shrug. “This is the point where my dramatic display steps aside to allow my lawyer to do his thing and take you for all your worth. It’s been a real delight passing along the news. I can’t wait to watch your ivory tower collapse.”
Ken’s eyes widen as I begin backing away. “You can’t do this.”
“There you go, underestimating me again. We’ll see how well that works out for you, yeah? Enjoy your demise.” I salute him with my middle finger. “Tootle-fucking-loo.”