Page 78 of With Wine Comes War

Am I the topic of conversation that’s freaking Roman out?

“Oh yeah, and what were you speaking of about said devil?” I put my hands on my hips and pursed my lips.

“My lips are sealed.” Harrison made a zipper move over his mouth.

“Harrison, I have a new member of your team in the conference room. Would you mind going in there and introducing yourself to him. He’s a little nervous and super excited.” It was the quickest way to get Harrison out of here for a minute.

“Sure. Is it Darius? I heard we were hiring the first member of the new division of training. That’s cool, I’m proud of you for doing that.” I didn’t know this was a big deal.

“Harrison, I think that’s the first time you’ve ever said anything to me that wasn’t laced with condescension.” I crossed my arms and smiled.

“What can I say, you bring out the best in me.” He tapped me on the shoulder before heading down the hall.

I closed the door behind him. Roman was sitting in his chair facing the windows.

“Hey, Roman, honey. All good?”

He turned around with a great big fake smile on his face.

“Could you say that again?”

“Say what again?”

“Honey.” I walked over and sat on his lap.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

He shook his head and groaned, “Nothing’s wrong. I have really good news for you.”Then why are you so growly.

“Like you getting the zoning fixed for the Santoros?” A weird look crossed his face, Amelia was right. It was like he saw a ghost or something.

“Yeah, that. I just petitioned for it, and it happened. I was shocked that it was that simple.” That didn’t feel like the whole truth, but I didn’t want to get into it with him. He didn’t look comfortable talking about it.

“Okay, I didn’t mean to interrupt. What's the good news or was that it?”

“No, there's more. Do you remember me telling you if I got any of the kickback money returned to us, I would use it to help the BurrowTownship people?” He was leaning his head on my shoulder with his arms wrapped around my waist. His hands were clasped together.

“Yes.”

“Well, down in Texas we got all the money back from the bad deals and I put it in an account in the name of the King/Kennedy Project. I want you to use it to relocate the residents. I don’t know exactly what you’re going to do yet, but whatever it is, I want you to use that money to do it.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Roman, how much money is it?”

“$520,000.” I stared at him in total shock. He wasn’t even reacting. This news is amazing. Why isn’t he more excited?

“Are you serious?” He nodded his head and handed me a piece of paper with all the information for the account on it.

I pushed away from him and said, “This just happened today?” He nodded but he was silent like he was totally hiding something about this from me.

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“No babe, everything’s fine. I was just really surprised how everything has suddenly started coming together.” He faked another smile.

Yeah, sure. Me too.

“It seems kind of magical honestly, but I don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth.” Another saying my mom loved using. “Anyway, Darius is here, and I sent Harrison in to introduce himself. He’s a little nervous to meet the owners of the company. I’m sure Harrison will be able to make him feel more comfortable but if you walk in there looking like this you may do the opposite,” I warned him gently. There was clearly something going on he wasn’t telling me.

“That bad, huh?” I nodded.

---