Chapter 28
“So how’s Adalyn?” Skye asked over the phone.
Bluetooth in her ear, Hailey kicked her feet up on the lounge chair in front of her as she looked out the oversized window at the safe house backyard. “Job is mostly wrapped up after Adalyn met with the detective. Gage and I have looked over the evidence they found at Ali’s place. It’s a lot. He shouldn’t have had that info on Adalyn though, which means the CIA might have a leak.”
Skye made a sort of growling sound. “We’re going to find out who leaked that info and take care of them.”
Oh, Hailey had no doubt. “So the other stuff you wanted me to research is solid.”
“Which one is your favorite?”
“I can’t decide,” she said on a laugh, glancing over as the bedroom door opened and her husband stepped in. And just like that, it was like a punch to her solar plexus. “You should ask Jesse. He just walked in.”
“Hey,” he said as Hailey put him on speaker. “What’s up?’
“Which property is the best?”
“I’ve created a detailed report that lists all the specs and the pros and cons—”
“I’ll read it but what’s your favorite?”
“Ah…the Victorian in the Irish Channel. It’s big enough for your needs, and people will be more comfortable visiting there if needed. Asking for help. It’s not like an office building in the business district—which maybe that’s what you want.”
“No, I don’t want something exactly like what we’ve got in North or South Carolina. This place needs to fit the needs of the people of New Orleans.”
“My two cents,” Hailey tossed in. “I think we need something that’s a mix of both. Not in the business district, but not in a residential area either. Not totally anyway. Because eventually people will notice if there are different people coming and going. So I think you should look at a house in the Irish Channel that one of our crew can live in or maintain, and then something that doubles as like a bar or restaurant. Or a shop. But something that sees a lot of foot traffic.”
Skye was silent for a long moment. “I like it. Make it happen.”
Jesse’s eyebrows raised. “Okay, but—”
“Yeah, she’s hung up already.” Hailey grinned, tossing her phone down on the little table next to her. “Bet you didn’t plan on becoming an unofficial part of our business.” Though it was more official than not these days. He was contributing monetarily in a big way, much the same as Brooks did with all his billions. Though Jesse said it was “their money,” it was too hard for her to process how much it was. She liked giving it away and helping their company help others.
He nudged her over so he could sit, then tugged her into his lap. “I like being part of this. And no, I never saw this coming, but I love it. And I love you.”
“I don’t get tired of hearing that.” She laid her head on his shoulder as she curled into him, grateful for the relative quiet of the house. “I wonder when Skye’s going to tell the others that Redemption Harbor is expanding again.”
“I’m guessing once she’s got the properties here bought and paid for. And I’m pretty sure she’s going to tag Adalyn and Rowan to run this territory.”
“You think?” Surprised, she leaned back to look at him.
“Yep. Adalyn’s from here, her sister lives here, and it’s pretty clear that she’s missed this place. And Rowan is just going to follow her wherever she goes. Plus it’s clear that Skye’s been grooming him to lead in the same way you do.”
Huh. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. “Unless I can poach Adalyn for my office and then Skye can just find someone else,” she grumbled, laying her head back down.
He wrapped his arms around her, squeezed once. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I know, I just don’t love all this change. Maybe it won’t even happen.”
“Maybe.”
She nudged him once. “Don’t humor me.”
“Pretty sure that’s part of my husbandly duties.”
She snickered at his words. “Well I can think of some husbandly duties that you can take care of right now.”
Without pause, he scooped her up and stretched her out on the bed. “Hands on the headboard while I taste you. No touching me.”
Heat scored through her at his words, at the images they evoked. For the small moment in time, everything fell away and it was just the two of them as they lost themselves in each other. She’d waited a long time for him, just as he had for her, and he was definitely worth the wait.