Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

companies intrigued me the most. I have to admit, I sent your handlers instructions that I wanted you two. I could envision the cosmos working through your spirits, and that your meridians are approaching a crucial juncture in your lives. I had to know if there was a congruence of your energies or if karma is simply moving us along in the river of fate and we’re just temporarily sharing a vessel.”

What the fuck is this man saying? He’s speaking English, but I have no idea what I’m hearing. I turn to Cassie, my eyes wide. “Did you know anything about this?”

“No,” Cassie whispers. “I—”

“Shut your trap!” The bird on Wesley’s shoulder squawks.

“Hush, Mo Mo,” Wesley chides gently. “Be kind to our guests.”

The situation is already so insane that we all seem to ignore the talking bird telling Cassie to shut up, because that’s the least odd thing happening here.

Cassie places her hands over her mouth, whispering to me, “This man is fucking nuts, and so is that damn bird.”

I nod. “Makes you look normal.”

Cassie scowls, looking slightly pouty. “Hey! I resent that!”

“We weren’t interested in splitting the property. Why are we both here?” Tony asks just as I open my mouth to ask the same question. The realization sweeps over me, and it all clicks. Oliver. He’s an investor. The man’s got more money than he knows what to do with. And Roxy mentioned something about Tony working for his brother. It was just passed-along gossip . . .

Wesley giggles, clapping his hands together like he’s got us right where he wants us. “Yes, I have my reasons for wanting to sell my hideaway, or as some people call it, the Blue Lagoon. There are duties and responsibilities that come with the property, and to be quite honest, I’m not up to the job anymore. It is time for the legacy to move into another’s hands, as it has for generations before me and will continue to do after me. But I’m not going to sell this property to just anyone. Like I said, those duties are important to me. Don’t worry, though. This isn’t going to be a bidding war. The money isn’t what’s important to me.”

“What’s it going to be, then?” Anthony asks, his voice dropping to an intense growl. “Flip of a coin?”

“But,” Mobber continues, ignoring Anthony’s interruption, “what we truly desire isn’t bought with money. And this estate will go to the person who shows me that they are in touch with what they most deeply desire. Honest in that desire, both to themselves and to others.”

He grins when he’s done with his little speech, seemingly switching from a loopy philosopher to a clear-eyed businessman in an instant. “So, Caleb, Tony, Hannah, Cassie, if you want my property… you will compete for it.”

Am I secretly on a gameshow or something? Where’s the camera? A tight smile forms on my face as we stand there in shock. “If you’ll excuse me for just one moment.”

I turn and leave the room, my fake smile morphing into a scowl as soon as I’m in the hallway. Cassie follows me, her mouth immediately running with a million questions.

“Hannah, what are you going to do? I mean, is it legal for him to do this, and like, what does he mean?”

“Please, Cassie, I can’t think,” I growl, placing my hand on my forehead and groaning. Seeing Tony here is definitely a curve ball and I don’t know what to do about it yet.

“And what’s with Tony?” Cassie demands, ignoring my request for her to be quiet. “You know him?”

I sigh, seeing his handsome face flash in front of my eyes. “Unfortunately, yes,” I say, giving her a shortened version of what happened on Roxy’s wedding day. I pull out my phone, dialing Myra without giving her a chance to respond. All she’s going to tell me is how I overreacted and how I should’ve let him rock my world anyway.

“Come on, Myra, please pick up,” I beg.

“Hello?” Myra doesn’t sound pleased that I’m calling her so soon. But this couldn’t be avoided.

“You didn’t tell me this guy was a certifiable nut,” I whisper harshly. “I won’t even go into how he looks or how he speaks, but he’s talking about some sort of Hunger Games or something!”

“You’re making no sense, Hannah.”

I tell her everything, from the moment we were dropped off right up until I called her, leaving out no details. “Now, this wannabe pirate son of a bitch wants us to compete to win the property! Compete against my best friend’s brother-in-law!”

Myra hums, her voice at least sounding concerned. “Oh, dear. When he said to send you, I expected some hijinks, but nothing like this.”

“Yeah,” I growl, not ready to discuss Myra’s little deception yet. “What do I do?”

“Do what he says. What else is there to do? We can’t afford for you to just walk away. You’re already there. See it through. Figure it out.”

“Figure it—”

Myra cuts me off. “I have the utmost faith in you. Whatever he’s planning, you have the skills and professionalism to win him over and land this contract. I’ve taught you everything I know, so show me you’re capable of this, Hannah. Show me and show yourself.”

Click.

“Hannah?” asks Cassie, who’s been staring at me this whole time. “What’s happening?”

“Get ready. This could get dirty.”

* * *

“The first challenge shall be a classic, a game of tug-of-war,” Wesley says.

We’re on the beach that makes up the edge of his property, the sun going down over the water and turning the whole area a blazing orange that would normally make me want to stop and take pictures if it weren’t for the intensity and insanity of what I’m doing. I’ve taken off my sandals and taken off all my jewelry, Cassie doing the same. With us are three Hawaiians, while on the other side of Wesley and Alani are Tony, Caleb, and three others. My team is four women and one man, a