Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) by Ahren Sanders (inspirational books for women .TXT) 📕

we were at my parents’ house. Tony requested a meeting on Monday. Said it was urgent.”

“You’ve been out of the office for an extended amount of time.”

“My being out of the office isn’t an issue. None of my clients have suffered any personal commitment. Most of them didn’t know I was in Vegas. What’s unusual is him calling me on a Saturday to discuss business. When I say he requested an appointment, it was more of a demand.”

“Is he the needy type?”

I let out a loud, caustic laugh and cast my eyes to him. “Tony is anything but high-maintenance. He’s been with me since my early days in investment management. I’ve made the man a multi-millionaire.”

“Humble brag.”

“Nothing humble about it. I have a personal relationship with all my clients, but with him, it’s always been tight. He and I are a lot alike, or we were before I met Poppy.”

“Seriously, maybe you’re looking too much into this. Didn’t the market make a turn last week?”

“He’s safe and he knows it. I emailed his review on Thursday night after Poppy’s appointment.”

“Maybe he didn’t like what he saw.”

“Dante, two months ago, he sat in my office and busted my balls for a good fifteen minutes after he learned I’d eloped. When I say we’re a lot alike, I mean the brotherhood of lifetime bachelors. He loves the women, but mention commitment and he’s out the door before his pants are zipped. The man has it all: success, wealth, looks, charm—many broken hearts in his wake, and yet the women keep coming back. His parting words were something about losing a brother to the power of pussy.”

“Did you kick his ass?”

“Didn’t cross my mind, because that’s him. An hour later, a thousand-dollar bottle of scotch was delivered with a note.”

“What did the note say?”

I open my console, locate the card, and toss it to him.

‘Fuck, Graham, one look at her and I’d hand over my man card, too. Happy for you. Look forward to sharing a drink with your new bride.’

“Okay, he’s not a dick?”

“Never to me, until today. It was like talking to a stranger. He was all business. Not even a hint of the friend I know. When we hung up, I checked my email and five more meeting requests were waiting. All of them from clients in Tony’s inner circle. I called Tessa.”

“Did she know what was going on?”

“Nothing, except she mentioned seeing Tony last week at a fundraising event. According to her, he was with a woman that wasn’t local. She looked more New York socialite than Charleston bred. One minute in her presence and Tessa said she felt her skin crawl.”

“I know a lot of socialites that make my skin crawl. Most of the high society bitches have earned their stereotype.”

“You met Tessa last night. She’s raised three rowdy sons. Not to mention putting up with me. Nothing makes her skin crawl.”

“Okay, that’s a lot to process.”

“I know to be on alert with Marco, but after Tony’s call, my gut instincts kicked in. Something’s not right.”

“I get it, my gut is rolling now as well. But what does a dickhead dad Governor and a longtime friend-slash-client have in common?”

“I don’t know, but I’ve made a call to find out.”

“A call? To who?”

I glance over as the answer comes to him. “Scottie.”

“Scottie,” I confirm.

“Did he have any theories?”

“He’s locating Tasha to see if there’s something to worry about there.”

The cab of the truck is quiet as we drive through town. My unease settles a bit the closer we get.

“Where are we going?”

I pull up the picture on my phone and toss it to him. “What do you think?”

“Think about what? It looks like a standard, southern, two-story red brick building in need of some serious TLC.”

“It’s approximately sixty-two hundred square feet with rooftop access. Plumbing, piping, electric, HVAC—all solid. Needs work, but not much. There are several entrances and an elevator. The parking lot in back is newly resurfaced.”

“Great. Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I bought it.”

He inhales deep, sucking all the air out of the truck.

“For Poppy,” I go on.

“Oh, Jesus, is this…?”

“I hope so. It’s a highly desired area that’s safe. It’s near Darby’s bakery and less than two miles from my office.”

“Are you telling her?”

“Not yet.”

“Evin, this is… this is… You bought her a dance studio! More so, you bought her a building!” His voice goes pitchy.

“I need to know what you think. From what I understand, this is your studio, too.”

The truck takes on a new vibe, and he stares out the window. After a full minute, he speaks low, “I’m not ready to give it up. And more importantly, I’m not ready for her to be gone.”

“Hell, Dante, I’m not either. This will be waiting when she’s ready. Are you having second thoughts?”

“Fuck no, that’s not what I meant. Pips and me, we’re in this for the long run.”

“Well, I’m a part of her long run, and I decided. The week she was in Charleston, as soon as she told me about your retirement plans, I contacted a broker. That broker was Tony Sanchez.”

The connection and name click into place. So does the timeline.

“You did this before her accident?”

“Yes. It didn’t take long with my connections. It may not look like much, but it’s the best. And I don’t mean the best available, the best fucking real estate deal in the city. Luckily, I got the first option before they shopped around it. This pissed a lot of people off. I hadn’t even closed yet and brokers were calling, throwing substantial cash offers my way.”

“You’re taking a tremendous risk.”

“Not my first, and I’m confident in my decision. If Poppy isn’t on board, we have options.”

“Man, you don’t mess around.”

“Nope. Didn’t get to where I am by letting opportunities float.”

“When are you telling Poppy?”

I pull my lip through my teeth, not ready to share the full details of my plan. “Not now.”

“That’s vague.”

“She has enough happening.”

I keep my eyes on the road, feeling the