Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“I’ll swing by later. I want to see you.”
“Brady, I—”
“Talk soon.” I hesitate, then end the call before saying anything else, like how I’m practically having goddamned withdrawals without her by my side.
I’m no expert on feelings, but I know I need to tread lightly.
I need to be sensible with this, or she’ll change her mind about if there’s anything to fight for at all.
I pull up Luis’s number, swinging back in my office chair as he answers.
“Boss man, what’s up?”
“I need the biggest nuke you have on Harry Jay. What has the best case legally to sink his ass to the bottom?”
He pauses, thinking. “Probably the small business cases?”
I flop back, propping my feet on my desk as I think, remembering what I read before.
Harry’s firm had an astonishingly rapid rise in commercial real estate by chasing down old, stagnant businesses on the edge of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.
From the witnesses Luis interviewed, the pattern was clear: Harry Jay would show up with a big offer to reel his sellers in. Then he’d shave it down substantially after newly uncovered code violations piled up.
The struggling business owners felt pressured to sell at steep discounts, knowing they couldn’t go to other buyers without extensive and draining renovations or brutal disclosures.
“How does he do it?” I growl. “Is he bribing the inspectors, or what?”
“Close enough. My guess is our little friend has his hands deep inside the department,” Luis says. “Bribery, probably. Or blackmail. A man like that can’t have many real friends.”
I smile a little, but I’m still thinking. If Harry pulls this trick with Pawsome Hearts, it’ll knock them out and force the doctor right into his hands.
But he’ll need to bring some heavy firepower to get his way.
Dr. Ezzie will want what her property’s worth, but more importantly, I’ve seen her passion when I brought in Charlie the corgi. It’s partly where Lena gets it from.
If she can, she’ll sell to Lena, no question.
Which brings up a bigger one: What the hell will he do to strong-arm Ezzie into a deal she doesn’t want?
“It’s enough. Go time,” I say roughly. “I want you to work our connections to the press. Do whatever you have to—an anonymous leak with the documents, a press release, a public onslaught. We have enough rope to string his ass up.”
“Damn, you’re really not playing.”
“Not this time, Luis. Get it done.”
I end the call and sit up as Queenie stretches and comes over for a back rub.
I can see it now—dealing this selfish fuck a mortal wound.
Seattle real estate is always newsworthy when it’s scarce and comically expensive. A story where any local mogul pulled all the dirty tricks in the book to get an advantage in an overheated market is basically peak rage-bait for the local press. Guaranteed to bring so many eyes it’s irresistible.
And the more eyes on Harry Jackoff, the more we’ll find.
That’s how it goes.
When people see a moral outrage, they’re tenacious. If there’s something to find, they will. It’s like unleashing the hounds.
I have him in our sights, and I just need Luis to pull the trigger.
With any luck, in a few days’ time, Harry damn Jay will be neck deep in his own filth, drowning.
Then he’ll never bother my woman again.
Once I finish replying to a few last emails, I head over to Lena’s place.
I’m happy to drive myself today and leave Luis with no distractions for his special mission.
When I pull up, the front door’s propped open, and I see Lena hauling something outside.
I scramble out to help her. I don’t realize I’m pulling a suitcase from her hands until I look down.
A very heavy packed suitcase.
What the hell?
I meet her eyes for a second before she ducks down and looks away.
“Leaving town?” I ask carefully.
“A trip with a friend. Just a few days to clear my head.” No elaboration. She just wrenches the suitcase from my hand.
I’m so stunned I let it go.
There’s no denying it now. The damage is so intense she can barely look me in the eye. Hell, if she knew what I’m up to, she might spit in my face.
I don’t know what the fuck to do so I trail along like some sad kicked puppy as she takes it to her car and lays it in the trunk.
“What trip, Lena? What friend?” I definitely don’t sound like a puppy. More like I’m gargling glass. I catch myself and shake my head. “Will you tell me what’s going on?”
She looks at me, her big brown eyes turned to desert.
There’s no light, no love, no hope.
“Is that part of the contract too? I have to ask permission to leave the city?” She slams the trunk shut and sighs. “Brady, look, I need time to process. We’ll talk when I get back.”
“We can’t now?” I try to keep the thorns from my voice without success. “Sass, is it that fucking bad?”