Diamond (Rare Gems #2)(25)
Standing in the terminal, Ward looked around for someone who would pick him up. There were all sorts of signs being held up with names printed on them, but none for him. Ward moved to the front of the airport and out into the driving rain. He shivered in his suit, wondering where the hell he was supposed to go now.
He had cab money, but he wasn’t going to spend it unless he had to. And that possibility was looking stronger and stronger with each passing minute. Going back inside, he went to the terminal and had Morton paged. It was a big airport and maybe the old f*cker got lost in there. After forty minutes of waiting and two pages for him later, he knew that he’d been forgotten. Time to take a cab.
But to where? Ward was going to stay with Morton until his brother invited him to stay with him, or at the very least gave him enough money to get a house or something. He didn’t want a large house, just ten or so bedrooms so he could party when he wanted. And he needed enough to pay for the help it would require to keep it up. And he wanted pretty, f*ckable bitches too. Ward didn’t want to have to clean up after himself. Having f*ckable bitches cleaning up after you was what having money was all about.
He was slipping in the dirty cab when he pulled out his phone again and called Morton’s house. This time no one answered and he decided that he’d simply go there and wait. And if Morton didn’t show up, he’d make due until something better came along. Besides, tomorrow he was going to see his brother. Then things would be just the way they should be for him. Ward Galloway was going to be something. And his long-lost f*cking bastard of a brother was going to make it happen for him. Even if he didn’t know it just yet.
~~~
Thad walked around the site twice. There was something so appealing to him to start a fresh project. And this one was going to be huge. The amount of people that would need to be hired for this portion of the business was going to help the area out and make it so he could keep his hands in his business. He looked up when Blair walked toward him.
“The land is being held by the bank, pending the judgment against the owner. He bilked nearly ten million from the bank on this deal, so you can imagine they’re just a little skittish about letting it go without proof that this time the deal is going to be solid.” Thad could understand that and waited for him to continue. “Along with the five hundred acres, there are the three partial buildings that I would simply tear down, as well as an additional seventy-five acres that has a house on it. The house is in good repair, if only needing a few updates. It’s been sitting empty for nearly two years, with the exception of the staff that has been living there because they’ve had nowhere else to go. The bank decided that them staying there was better than leaving it empty.”
“And they own the house too?” Blair nodded. “Can I get it as a package deal? And if so, how far are we going to be from the main house you live in?”
The property was perfect for what he wanted it for even though it was a little bigger than he’d wanted. But if things went well in a few years, he could bring the plant in Texas up here and have it all under one roof. When Blair didn’t answer him, he looked at him.
While Blair hadn’t been rude, he’d not been all that friendly either. Thad could understand that as well. He’d hurt them, all of them, and he was going to have to work very hard to get at least some of that friendship back. When there was still nothing from him, Thad spoke.
“I’m going to make this work with Diamond and the rest of you. I know that you have no reason to believe me, but—”
“I don’t.” Well, that was blunt, Thad thought, but didn’t say anything as Blair continued. “You hurt her again and they’ll never find the body. And I don’t mean because I’ll toss you in a deep hole. I mean there won’t be anything of you left to find. Not even a bone fragment. I will tear you to little pieces, then let the others have at you.”
Thad shivered at his words, knowing that he wasn’t kidding at all. “I know what I’ve done and what I’ve said. You’ve no idea how much…you coming out here with me today means a great deal to me after the way I treated you. I will make this work. I’m doing my best to convince Diamond of it as well, but, like you, she’s not going to forgive me right now.” Thad looked out over the buildings and the land. “I had a long talk with Jane last night after Diamond went to sleep. She was telling me that I was lucky you hadn’t killed me the last time I was here.”
“I knew she was a smart woman.” Blair laughed a little. “I don’t think Diamond is going to be as easy to convince as I might be. You and she are going to have some rounds, and I hope I’m there to see it.”
They’d had a round last night. She’d wanted him to sleep elsewhere, and he’d been serious about sleeping with her. But when she shifted into her wolf, he’d left the room quietly. She was f*cking scary as that big canine.
“She can hold her own.” Blair laughed at him again. “Your dad is very helpful. I asked him a few things yesterday that I didn’t understand in the book, and he said I should bring them up to you. Can I ask you some of them now?”
“Sure, but you need to know that I don’t know a great deal about being a pack alpha. I sort of fell into the job. I challenged the other leader because at the time I thought I’d be better than he was, but he died and I had to learn or fail. I don’t like to fail.” Thad nodded. He didn’t either, so he could empathize with the man.