Chapter 31
Taylor
The tension in my office seeped into my bones, making me feel more on edge than I’d felt in a long time.
Matt stood near the door, clutching a worn out folder in his hands.
I could tell he’d been poring over it all night, but the look on his face told me he’d come up empty.
I paced behind my desk, frustration building with every step.
“I swear to God, if I ever meet Damien Delaney on the street…”
Matt finally moved to take a seat in one of the chairs opposite my desk and laid down his folder. “His scheming can throw as many wrenches into our plans as he wants, but I’m still confident we’ll come out on top of this.”
I stopped my pacing to glare at him, leaning on my desk with flat palms. “This should’ve been a straightforward property deal, Matt,” I seethed. “But it’s slipping through my fingers because of this asshole.”
What made it worse was that the quaint mountain valley wasn’t just a prime resort location for me anymore.
Wyatt made it special. A place that was ours.
I needed this deal to go through for reasons beyond business.
If this worked, it meant that Wyatt and I could work.
I needed that reassurance now more than ever.
“I can’t believe this is happening.” I massaged my temples, trying not to look at the mess of documents splayed across my desk.
Matt sighed, sympathetic. “I know, boss. But we’ve got options. We can expose Delaney’s shady dealings, show the mountain council the type of guy they’re really dealing with. They won’t want someone like him in their valley, that’s for sure.”
“Expose him,” I scoffed. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do, but it’s like he’s always one step ahead.”
I looked out my office window, the towering skyline of the city staring back at me. The harsh coldness of the concrete jungle made me miss the cozy sanctuary of Wyatt’s cabin. Our little bubble.
We had traces of it when we were alone together, and although it wasn’t quite the same, it was a saving grace for me.
I had it that morning, but thanks to Delaney Dev I had to leave my love in a warm bed to deal with this bullshit.
What I wouldn’t have given to be back there with her, our naked bodies tangled up in lust and wanting.
“Tell me what to do.” Matt spoke up, rolling the folder into a cylinder that he twisted and untwisted in agitation. “I got no leads from the last investigation, but I’m willing to make some calls if it’ll-”
A light tap at my office door cut him off, and we both turned to see Liz poking her head in.
“Mind if I join?” my head of legal asked.
“Please, God, yes.” I sank into my chair with a defeated sigh. “My head’s about to explode, and I’m counting on you to stop that from happening.”
Sharp-witted as she was sharply dressed, Liz Atherton strode into my office and took up a chair beside Matt. The atmosphere immediately changed as she set down a stack of papers.
“Give it to me straight, Liz.” I jumped right to the heart of the matter, searching Liz’s face for a glimmer of hope. “Do we have a leg to stand on?”
She settled into her chair with a stern expression. “We do, and more than one, you’ll be happy to hear.”
“Yes, I knew it!” Matt gave an enthusiastic air punch. I shared the sentiment but remained quietly composed in my seat.
“The investigation yielded enough evidence for us to hit back hard,” Liz continued. “I’ve filed a cease and desist, backed by what we found. Bribery, coercion, his special brand of corruption.”
“Eat that, asshole,” I muttered, a flicker of relief sparking in my chest.
“Oh, he’ll eat if I have anything to say about it.” Her eyes narrowed with fierce resolve. “I’m also compiling a comprehensive report on his unethical practices. Something to present to the zoning board members. Damien Delaney in black and white. His bullshit on paper.”
I leaned back, taking in everything she was telling me. “And what about the stakeholders in the mountain valley?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Liz said with a sly smile. “That’s where you come in. Reach out to them, leverage your relationships to get them on your side. The more allies we have, the better.”
Her confidence was contagious, and for the first time since the Delaney debacle began, I believed that I could win this battle.
“I’ll set up the calls,” Matt offered. “We have a fight ahead, but we’re not going down without swinging.”
There was light at the end of the tunnel, and I suddenly wanted to jump on a call with Wyatt to tell her everything. I checked the time and realized that wouldn’t be necessary.
“Miss Kane, your two o’clock is here,” my assistant announced, standing at my office door.
“Thank you, and thank you two for swooping in and saving the day.” I rose from my desk and motioned for Liz and Matt to go ahead of me.
Excitement bubbled inside me as I followed, feeling better about leaving the office now that I knew things with Delaney were under control.
“There she is,” I said to myself the moment my eyes fell on Wyatt. She was waiting with Michael Keaton in the reception area—the two faces that never failed to bring a smile to my face.
“Hey,” I greeted, my smile widening at the sight of Michael Keaton’s wagging tail.
“Hey, yourself,” Wyatt said, her natural warmth melting away any lingering stress from the chaotic morning.
I hated having to leave her so early, but we’d made plans to meet up for a walk to take advantage of the mild weather. With final instructions to Matt, we ventured out onto the street, the cityscape stretched out around us.
“I know we’ve been back a while, but it still hits me every time I step outside.” I held my arms open wide, basking in the open air. The crisp air was invigorating after the weeks cooped up in the cabin, and I reveled in the bustling backdrop to our leisurely stroll.
“I feel it too,” Wyatt replied. “Wide open space… It’s like I can breathe every time I go outside.”
I bent down to give Michael Keaton an extra affectionate rub, to which he responded with emphatic licking.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, studying Wyatt’s face closely. She seemed fine, but I wasn’t going to take any chances.
Her reply came with a soft smile. “Much better, thanks to Devon and the therapy session I had this morning. Your friends are pretty amazing, Taylor.”
I beamed at her, ecstatic that her welcome into our group was going smoothly. “They are. And they’re all excited to get to know you better.”
“It means a lot.” She nodded appreciatively. “Their support really helps.”
As we walked, our conversation flowed seamlessly.
Wyatt’s adjustment to the city, her growing comfort, and the genuine connection forming between her and Devon—it filled me with a sense of contentment.
I wanted her to feel at home, to find her place in this world.
A world that was also mine. I wanted her to feel at home with me.
“Do you still think you can do this?” I dared to ask, unsure of what I was walking into. “Live with me in the city?”
Wyatt took my hand and stopped walking, gazing into my eyes.
She didn’t say anything and chose to answer my question in a different way.
Pushing up on her toes, Wyatt pressed her lips to mine in a tender, reassuring kiss that spoke volumes.
It was her way of saying yes, and the warmth that spread through me was more comforting than any words could be.
As we continued to walk hand in hand, stupid, lovesick smiles on our faces, it felt like everything was falling into place. The chilly breeze of the late afternoon rustled the leaves overhead as Michael Keaton led us along the winding path, trotting happily ahead with his tail wagging.
“I know I’m always saying my friends are my family, which they are…” I said. “But I’d like to take you up to meet my brother. Abby would love you.”
A change came over her, subtle but still there.
“Meet your family, huh?” she mused, her gaze drifting to the horizon, quiet contemplation in her eyes.
“I’d love for you to get to know them,” I gently prodded. “And I know things aren’t great with your own family right now, but if you think about reconnecting with them, I’m here for you.”
“I’m good.” She offered a small smile. “I can live without my family.”
Her words hung in the air, carrying a hint of something unspoken. I sensed a deeper undercurrent and pressed on.
“Are you sure? Family can drive us nuts, I get it. But… it’s family.”
Wyatt shrugged, downplaying the significance of her situation. “Batman didn’t have a family, and he turned out just fine.”
I chuckled, appreciating her talent for weaving the dark knight into everything. I decided to go along with it and speak her language.
“True, but Bruce Wayne didn’t choose to be without family,” I said. “In fact, he spent his life looking for that bond with those closest to him—Alfred, for instance. He found family because he understood the value of it.”
I wasn’t expecting to change her mind in a minute, but the way Wyatt looked at me, I knew that I’d planted a seed of reconsideration at the very least.