Chapter Six
Cilla’s chest was so tight it hurt to breathe.
The sense of betrayal was sharp and deep, which made no sense.
She was more upset by Alex’s confession than she was Richard’s.
She forced herself to ask, “Are you and your brother part of Richard’s scheme?
Was my running you off the road really an accident, or just a way to get into Ivy House? ”
I expected better of Alex. Her expectations were much lower for her brother.
His eyes widened. “What? Hell no, I’m not working with your asshole brother to take your home. And I can guarantee neither is Sam. We don’t do business that way.”
The constriction eased slightly, but her fists remained clenched in her lap. “How can you be sure about Sam and your father?” She wanted to believe him, but Alex and his brother being here at the same time, while Richard was pressuring her to sell, was too much of a coincidence to ignore.
“Neither of them is going to set up shop in a small town to oversee a major project.”
“You didn’t even know Sam was still here until I told you. You don’t know what his plans are. Like you, he stayed here at Ivy House.” She may have opened the door and invited the enemy inside.
“I have no idea why Sam’s here, but I can guarantee it has nothing to do with Blackwell Enterprises expanding into Redemption. Big brother has interests in a multitude of hotels and casinos across the country. He’s got more than enough to keep him busy.”
“What about you?” She tried to ignore the way his quick grin made her heart skip a beat.
“Me? I own garages nationwide that specialize in custom cars and motorcycles. Driving and speed are in my blood. I can’t say for sure what Kieran is currently doing.”
Her jaw dropped and then her mouth slowly closed. He’d rolled into town wearing jeans and a battered leather jacket and hadn’t had any luggage. “You actually own them?”
“Yeah, I do.” He rubbed a hand over the leg of his jeans. “Don’t let the way I’m dressed fool you.”
“Your bike isn’t new.” While she didn’t know much about motorcycles, his looked like it was from a much earlier decade.
“It’s a classic. I take damn good care of it. Or did until this morning. And to set the record straight, running into you was the last thing I expected. No way would I wreck my bike just to meet you. I’d walk up to your front door and knock.”
She wanted to believe him, but she needed to be smart. Think with her head, not her heart. “If what you told me is true, then why are you here in Redemption, of all places? And why is Sam here if not for some real estate deal?”
“It’s a long story.”
“You got somewhere else to be?”
Alex threw back his head and laughed. The deep sound reverberated through her entire body. His hair brushed his shoulders, and that damn dimple winked in his left cheek. Maybe she was a fool to trust him, but his words rang true. Or maybe the flood of sexual hormones was turning her into an idiot.
“I’m here because my father runs the family business with an iron fist, and he’s decided he doesn’t like how I’m handling my end of things.
This is the old man’s idea of an intervention.
I have limited resources, no cell phone, and no transportation.
If he doesn’t believe I’ve changed enough when it’s time for me to leave, I’ll be booted out of the family business. ”
“I thought you owned and operated your own businesses.”
“I do, but it all falls under the umbrella of Blackwell Enterprises.”
“My business background isn’t extensive, but even I know that’s not normal.” Alex struck her as independent and proud, the type of man who’d carve out his own path in life. This sounded as though his father was in charge.
He dragged his fingers through his hair and huffed out a breath. “You’re right about that, but it’s family tradition. And in our family, nobody bucks tradition.”
That was ominous, and it sounded more like a mafia family than a business enterprise. A shiver snaked down her spine. “Then why don’t you walk away?”
Bitterness tinged his laugh. There was only partial sun on this side of the house, and the shadows enveloped him. The sharp planes of his face appeared more chiseled; his eyes cold and remote.
“You think I enjoy being jerked around? I take pride in my work. Maybe I don’t do things the way the old man would, but I’ve never shirked my responsibilities, and where has it gotten me?”
This man is a stranger. Most of the time she forgot they’d met only this morning.
They’d been through more ups and downs today than some friends go through in years.
She was physically drawn to him, but it went deeper.
She liked and admired him. She was also beginning to believe him.
The genuine hurt rolling off him couldn’t be faked.
If he was that good an actor, he deserved an Oscar.
“You see, you’re not the only one whose family doesn’t believe in them.”
It wasn’t lost on her that they had that in common. “You swear you’re not here because of the land? Even you have to admit, it’s suspicious.”
“Do you honestly believe I’d lie about something like that? If I was going to lie, I’d come up with something that doesn’t make me sound like such a loser.”
“You’re not a loser. Your father is wrong to do this to you. I get that he sent you here, but what exactly are you supposed to do?”
Alex shrugged, emphasizing the breadth of his shoulders. “He wasn’t exactly forthcoming with details. I’m supposed to meet someone and…take care of some business in a way my father deems acceptable.”
And the knots were back in her stomach. “Is it Richard? Maybe your father wants Ivy House and the land.” If Blackwell Enterprises was as rich and powerful as Alex hinted, they might be able to find a loophole that would allow Richard to get his hands on the land.
And through him, they’d get what they wanted.
“No!” Alex shook his head. “The old man never told me who I’m supposed to meet here, but I can guarantee it’s not your brother.”
She twisted her fingers in her lap. “How can you be sure?”
Alex hesitated for a brief second as though debating what he should say. “When I walked Richard to his car earlier, he offered to cut out the developer he has interested if Blackwell Enterprises wants in.”
Shame washed over her, even though the duplicity had nothing to do with her.
Grandmother had been scrupulous about keeping her word and had taught Cilla to be the same.
It was one of the reasons it had taken her so long to admit her marriage to Christopher had been a mistake and file for divorce.
She’d taken vows, and they’d meant something to her—more to her than they had to her ex.
“It’s all about money for Richard.”
“Yeah, it is. I wasn’t kidding when I said the old man ruled with an iron fist, but he has ethics. A man’s word is his bond.” Alex’s grin was predatory. “He eats men like your brother for breakfast. But enough about my problems, what are you going to do about Richard? This isn’t the end of it.”
The headache that had been threatening ratcheted up a notch.
“I contacted my lawyer earlier and am waiting to hear back from her. If Richard thinks he’s going to pull a fast one, he’s got another think coming.
If nothing else, I want it on record what he’s threatening to do.
I need to know what my options are.” Up to and including potentially getting a restraining order against him if his harassment continued.
“That’s smart.”
“Thanks, I do try.”
Her wry tone had Alex raising his hands in surrender. “Sorry, I wasn’t suggesting you can’t handle things, but it’s tougher when family is involved.”
“You’re not wrong about that. But enough about me and my family problems.” There was nothing to be done until she heard back from her lawyer. But maybe there was some way she could help Alex. “How are you supposed to find whoever it is your father sent you here to meet?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“And if you don’t?”
A muscle flexed in his jaw and his gaze narrowed. “Failure is not an option.”
Cilla rubbed her hands up and down her arms. The chill in her bones had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with the man seated across from her.
…
Alex tamped down the anger that threatened to choke him. None of this was Cilla’s fault, but talking about it only served to remind him how little control he had over his own destiny.
Was this how humans felt? Maybe he had more in common with them than he’d thought.
Admitting his failure aloud to her left him hollowed out.
The lack of his father’s approval was a blow to his self-esteem.
He’d prided himself on being an efficient reaper, getting the job done.
He’d never shirked his duties, not in the millennia he’d been performing them.
And what had it gained him? Absolutely nothing.
“Maybe I can help?” Cilla offered. “Introduce you around town.”
That she’d offer her assistance, in the midst of her own family crisis, touched him deeply. She’d been nothing but kind to him, a complete stranger until this morning. His admiration for her grew in leaps and bounds. Most people wouldn’t give a damn about his family issues.
“I may take you up on that.” Although it likely wasn’t necessary.
Death always played by the rules, and he’d sent Alex here with a purpose.
There’d been no sign yet about which soul he’d been sent to reap.
His father was either playing games or there was some point to making Alex wait.
He had to believe that when the time was right, he’d get a sign, reap the soul, and hope it was good enough to satisfy his father.
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Have you thought about reaching out to Sam to see if he could help?”
“No phone.”
“Right, I forgot.” She pulled hers out of her pocket. “You can use mine.” She brought up her contacts. “Sam’s staying with Adrianne. That’s The Little Lavender Company.”