Chapter Sixteen
“The location is awesome. Just fifteen minutes from the high school. It’s on twenty acres, fifteen of which are wooded. Imagine how many horses you could have here on the property. Five bedrooms. Three full baths. And the kitchen has a view that’s to die for,” Vanessa Andrews motioned for Justice to follow her to the large bay window that overlooked the lake and the mountains in the background.
It was breathtaking , Justice thought. She would miss the ranch, but at some point, she needed to have a place of her own. She’d always admired the Meadow Farm. She’d asked Vanessa to tell her when and if the house ever came on the market. A rumor had been swirling that the owners wanted to sell because they were retiring and moving to be closer to their son. Now that she and Jinx were married, and they had Ilene to consider, it was time they branched out. Yet, they’d barely said more than two words to each other since they learned of Lanah’s pregnancy.
Justice’s mind whirred with the news—a baby—an innocent child who would come into the world wanting love. She believed they could all be adults about this and work together to create stable and a nurturing environment.
As she looked back to when Lanah had first told her the news, Justice realized she’d freaked out because a baby was a lot of responsibility. A child required a family who loved them. She wasn’t even sure where she and Jinx stood at this point.
It wasn’t the knowledge of the baby that hurt Justice. It was the fact that she and Jinx had married for convenience. What if he wanted to start a family with Lanah and their child? She cared deeply for him, and if she examined her feelings more closely, she knew she loved him.
“So, what do you think, Justice? This jewel won’t be on the market for long,” Vanessa said, pulling Justice back on track.
“It’s a lovely property, but I might need a few days—”
“Excuse me, ladies.”
Justice turned on her heels and cringed when she saw Kent strolling in, accompanied by Tribe. “Kent, what are you doing here?” she blurted.
“I’m here to see the house.” He held Justice’s gaze.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Downs.” Vanessa moved in. “I didn’t realize that we had an appointment?”
“I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting yet!” He finally turned his attention away from Justice to reach out to the agent, a charming smile lighting up his face because he knew it worked.
Kent had a natural knack for captivating those around him, and Vanessa was no exception. Justice had once admired Kent's polished appearance in his designer suits and flawless demeanor. But as he spoke, she felt her attraction shift into disgust. Her thoughts wandered to Jinx and his rugged features, the strength in his calloused hands and the warmth in his stubbled jaw. He was a protector, making her feel cherished and desired in ways she had never imagined.
Like a cozy embrace, a realization enveloped her. She truly wanted her husband. She craved having more with him than just a marriage of convenience.
She squared her shoulders and turned to Kent. “I’m not finished seeing the house.”
His confident grin reigned. “Miss Andrews, I’m prepared to offer double the asking price.”
Vanessa’s eyes sparkled with dollar signs. “Sight unseen?”
“I don’t need the tour to know I want it. The location is perfect,” he practically cooed.
“That’s because he wants to tear the house down and turn the land into a parking lot or a shopping mall.” Justice had a strong feeling that Kent only wanted to ruffle her feathers.
“Such little faith, Justice.” His gaze traveled over her. “Where did you get this poor opinion of me?”
She swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat. “Your reputation precedes you.”
“Miss Andrews, how about we take that tour? Suddenly, I’d love to see the layout of the house.” His gaze remained steady on Justice.
“Uhh…Justice, are we finished here?”
“Sure,” Justice bit out.
“Before we take that tour, I’d like to have a word, alone, with Miss Rose,” Kent said.
Vanessa hesitated, looking like a worm caught on a hook.
“It’s fine, Vanessa, just give us a moment,” Justice assured the woman. Once she was alone with Kent, Justice leaned her hip against the kitchen counter, preparing herself for more disgust. “You have one minute.”
“Such a shrewd businesswoman these days. I do enjoy a hard-ass woman.” His eyes lit.
“You’re wasting time.” She glanced down at her watch impatiently.
“Well, in that case, let me get to the point. I hear congratulations are in order.” Some of the sparkle left his features. “Jinx is a lucky man. Tell me, is it Justice Weathersby now? Or Justice Rose-Weathersby? It has a ring to it, wouldn’t you say?”
“Kent, I’m certain you didn’t take my house viewing hostage to ask me what my last name is, or to congratulate me. What game are you playing? You aren’t interested in this property any more than you’re interested in what I ate for breakfast. So, say what’s on your mind.”
“You never eat breakfast. That’s an easy one,” he said smoothly.
She laid her hand on her throat, feeling how fast her pulse was racing. Why did she let this man affect her? “Wonderful. Take care of yourself.” She pushed away from the counter and started past him, but his hand fished out and clasped her wrist. She looked down at where they were connected, and she jerked her hand away.
Kent’s laughter echoed off the barren walls. “I have a proposition.”
“I’m not interested in doing business, or anything, with you.” She continued toward the exit.
“I have information that you’ll want to hear. It involves that new husband of yours and your father.”
She didn’t want to give him any control over her, but she couldn’t help herself. She turned to face him and said, “I’m not interested in your antics.”
He smirked and replied, “You’re not interested in that little bambino your husband fathered either?”
Her stomach dropped into her open-toed shoes. “How do you know?”
He leaned closer. “There’s a lot I know, and you should probably know it too.”
“Then just tell me.” Her lungs ached. She didn’t want to believe anything that came out of his mouth, but she also knew him well enough that he never came to the table without having concrete proof.
“Not so fast, sweetheart. We can make a fair trade.”
She blinked. “I have nothing that you could want.”
His gaze lowered over her, and he undressed her with his raw intentions. “Oh, there is but something tells me that’s not on the table.”
“Not on your life.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Well, I guess it’s Plan B. Have dinner with me. One final time for closure.”
She tilted her head, unsure if she had heard him correctly. “Dinner? You want me to have dinner with you in exchange for information about my husband and father?”
He nodded. “Trust me, you’ll walk away with a great deal.”
“Can’t you ever do anything without all the drama?”
All humor disappeared from his features. “I would have given you the world, Justice.” Then, just as suddenly, he sobered. “Now I’m giving you a parting gift. Call it a going away present.”
“You’re leaving?”
“I am. I have business that is taking me to Texas for a year. Will you miss me?”
“Don’t push it, Kent.”
“I tell you what, you come to dinner, a half hour at tops, and I’ll throw in whatever Intel I have.” He wagged his brows. “And all those photos you’ve been dying to get your hands on.”
Was he being truthful?
“How can I trust you?”
“You can’t, but I no longer have use for them. So, do we have a deal?”
“Your minute is up.” She turned and walked toward the door. Her hand was on the knob when she heard him say, “Tonight. Nine o’clock. Don’t be late.”
*****
“Do you think she’ll come, boss?” Tribe asked.
Kent stood at the window watching Justice make her way at a fast pace down the cobblestone walkway to her car. He wasn’t a man with a lot of emotion, but he felt a penetrating ache in the center of his chest. He guessed he wasn’t broken after all. “She’ll be there. Justice is a lot of things, but she isn’t stupid. Just make sure we have all the proof.”
“Are we all ready to take a peek at the house?” Vanessa announced in her loud voice as she came sweeping back inside.
Dragging himself away from the window, he said to the agent, “I’ll take it.”
Her too-thin brows popped up over her glistening eyes. “Shall I fax over the offer?”
“Yes.”
“No doubt the owners will accept. They’re motivated to sell,” she said in an animated voice that rubbed Kent the wrong way.
“My attorney will handle all the details. He’ll be in touch within the hour.” Kent headed for the door, ready to leave the premises.
“You’ll love the place. I’m sure.”
“It’s not for me. I’ll be putting the deed into Miss Rose’s name.”
He heard the agent gasp in shock as he stepped out into the sunlight. Everyone believed he was a monster. In his own right, he was a monster. Yet, he cared a great deal about Justice.
He slipped his sunglasses on and told Tribe, “It’s going to be a lovely day.”