Chapter Thirteen Spock
I lean forward in my chair, my elbows resting on the scarred tabletop as silence settles over the room. Nobody speaks for several long seconds. Red Rock Construction isn't just another shady contractor. They're predators.
They don't simply underbid jobs and hope to turn a profit.
They deliberately bleed developers dry with endless change orders, engineered delays, surprise "structural concerns," and conveniently discovered code violations until the owner can't keep funding the project. Then one of their business partners swoops in and buys the property for pennies on the dollar. This is a huge white-collar scam. If not for Chloe, we wouldn’t know about it or care. But something keeps nagging at me.
I glance toward Chloe.
She's sitting beside me, listening intently, her brows drawn together as she processes everything.
I reach beneath the table and wrap my fingers around hers.
She squeezes back automatically.
I look back toward Spark.
"I've got a concern."
Every head turns toward me.
Puma nods. "Go."
I tap the table.
“It’s obvious that those running Red Rock Construction are assholes, but that doesn’t mean they’re the ones who are threatening Chloe. There isn’t any evidence that they’re behind the attacks at Riversedge Apartment.”
"They could be," Rush says.
"They could," I agree. "But they also might not. If they’re not, we risk Chloe’s safety by looking in the wrong direction."
Chloe shifts beside me. I feel her thumb brush against mine beneath the table.
"We know someone spray-painted threats and attacked Bill.
But we don't actually know those people work for Red Rock. We don’t know who is going after her.
It could be Red Rock Construction because they wanted the Inferno Ridge project.
Hell, maybe they want Riversedge Apartments, too.
It could be a professional grudge. Or it could be personal. "
Puma leans back in his chair, watching me.
"I just don't want us looking one way while the real asshole sneaks up behind us.”
Nobody speaks.
Rush scratches his beard. “Spock's right."
Dice nods.
“I’m not saying we give Red Rock Construction a pass. I want to hear what Juliet’s cousin has to say, but I don’t want to be looking at them and let someone else come at us from behind and hurt Chloe. She’s more important than Red Rock.”
Spark rubs his chin thoughtfully. "I've been focused on the financial side."
I nod.
"And you've done damn good work."
He smiles faintly. "But you're asking if I've found evidence of violence."
I meet his eyes.
"Yeah."
Spark slowly shakes his head.
"No."
The single word settles heavily.
"Nothing?"
"Not yet."
He reaches for his keyboard. “I’ve found lawsuits, civil complaints, contract disputes, and bankruptcies, but I haven’t seen any criminal investigations or reports that would lead me to believe they’ve used physical intimidation or other tactics.”
He exhales.
"That doesn't mean it isn't there. It just means I haven't found it. So I’ll keep digging."
I nod once.
Puma folds his hands on the table.
“Spock’s right. Chloe is the priority. She’s family.
Red Rock could be left to the authorities.
” Puma raises his hand when Spark opens his mouth.
“Juliet is family, too. Which means if she wants our help, she’ll get it.
We’ll listen to her cousin’s story and then decide if we can help.
However, Chloe’s safety is our priority.
Whoever is targeting her is dangerous. As far as we know, Juliet’s cousin is only at risk of losing money. ”
Spark nods in agreement.
I glance at Chloe and see her studying me. When we lock eyes, she mouths ‘thank you.’
Leaning closer, I whisper in her ear. “I’d do anything for you.”
I grin as her cheeks turn pink. “I’d do anything for you, too,” she whispers back.
The warmth lingering in Chloe's eyes stays with me long after she whispers the words.
I'd do anything for you, too.
My chest feels strangely light. The danger still hangs over her, and someone is still out there intent on harming her, but hearing those words makes me realize I'm not the only one feeling the pull. She's choosing to trust me. That means more than she'll ever know.
The clubhouse door opens, drawing our attention.
Spark pushes back from the table before anyone else can move.
Dice is already grinning.
"Avery."
Avery steps inside first, her smile immediately finding Dice. Long dark hair falls over one shoulder. Her eyes brighten the moment she sees him.
Behind her walks Juliet Archer.
She's petite, dressed casually in jeans and a navy blouse, a laptop bag slung across one shoulder. She accepts Spark’s hug and relinquishes her bag before waving at us.
She turns to the young woman who had followed her in.
Like Juliet, she’s a petite redhead, but instead of dressing casually, Darby is dressed for the boardroom in a dark grey pencil skirt and a white silk blouse.
“Spark, this is my cousin, Darby,” Juliet says. She lets the two shake hands before she pulls her cousin forward to introduce her to the rest of us.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are,” Juliet says when she reaches Chloe.
“I’m Chloe Davenport. I own DC Construction. We’re working on the Inferno Ridge.”
“Oh, right!” Juliet says. “Spark mentioned the name of your company.”
“DC Construction?” Darby asks, shaking Chloe’s hand. “You were my first choice for Belle Mar.”
“Belle Mar?” Chloe asks, as Spark leads Juliet and Darby to the two open seats next to him.
Dice settles back into his chair, pulling Avery effortlessly onto his lap. She doesn't protest, but simply wraps an arm around his shoulders and settles comfortably against him.
I notice Darby studying the room. She’s fighting to hide her nerves, but her wide eyes tell a story. She finally remembers that Chloe had asked her a question, so she focuses on her.
“Belle Mar is the name of the hotel that I’m building.
My fiancé and his friend are my partners, but the project is my idea.
I’m building a small hotel that will give women a comfortable place to stay that isn’t a casino.
I’m hoping to entice those who want to host women's retreats as well. I want to create a safe environment for women.”
“Sounds intriguing,” Alisa says, leaning forward. Puma had pulled her onto his lap to free up a seat for our guests.
“Women’s retreats are very popular. Las Vegas isn’t just for stag nights anymore.
Women are coming here for their bachelorette parties.
I know most people like to stay at the big casinos, like 1%, But I’m counting on some women wanting a place that is a little quieter and more personal.
Belle Mar can’t be exclusive to women, but that’s the clientele I’m trying to entice. Or at least that was my dream…”
When Darby trails off, Juliet steps in.
“Darby came to me because she is on the verge of losing the project. She’s invested a substantial amount of money into the project. As has her fiancé, Jayson Frost, and his friend, Jefferey Donahue.”
Rush shifting in his chair next to me draws my attention. Glancing at him, I see that his entire focus is on Darby. He frowns when Juliet mentions Darby’s fiancé.
“Spark told us that you’ve had some big cost overruns that threaten the project,” I say.
“It’s been one thing after another from the beginning.
The problems started when they demolished the building that was already there.
It was a rundown motel left over from the 70s.
I was able to purchase the property because the original owner passed away and left it to his daughter.
She didn’t want it, so I bought it. She said she had other offers, but she chose me because of my vision.
That was the last piece of good luck that I had on this project. ”
“What happened after that?” Puma asks.
“It started with the demolition. Red Rock quoted us a price and then ended up doubling it because of issues they ran into.”
“Like what?” Chloe asks. “Demolition is usually pretty straightforward, but there are some issues they could encounter. For example, hazardous materials. Did they run into something like that?”
Darby shakes her head. “I don’t remember them saying anything about hazardous materials. They mentioned structural integrity and permits. We had to pay for additional permits and additional equipment.”
Chloe frowns but nods. “That’s possible, although didn’t they examine the site beforehand? They should also know what permits they’ll need when they made the original quote.”
Darby nods. “They visited the site. My fiancé and his friend met them there. I was working.”
“What else has happened?” Spark asks.
“Just more of the same. Additional licenses, more equipment, and unexpected delays. I know we had to pay a large fee to have the flooring delivered because the order was delayed. Jayson said that I didn’t make up my mind in time, but I thought I decided within the window they gave me.”
“What do Jayson and Jefferey say about the additional costs? Are they worried?” Juliet asks.
“They’re upset. They said that this project is turning out to be more expensive than they originally thought. They’re ready to back out.”
“They want to back out?” Puma asks.
She nods. “Yeah, they want to sell and they’ve already found a buyer. I’m not ready to give up. This project is too important to me.”