Page 102 of Kage

I glanced out the kitchen window, able to catch sight of Juliette. At least she wasn’t trying to defy me on purpose.

As soon as I took long strides into the living room, he finally did, jumping up to be by my side.

“Now you look ferocious.” I took the time to grab my weapon. While I doubted some asshole chasing her would knock on the door, caution remained tops on my list.

When I opened the door, the man on the other side flashed his eyes in horror. “Lieutenant Rollins.”

I glared at him.

“Mike Schaffer. Your uncle’s attorney? Remember, we met a few weeks ago?” He glanced at Tank who was growling at him.

I couldn’t blame the pup.

“Yeah, I remember. What do you want?” I stroked Tank’s head and he immediately quieted.

“I have something else your uncle wanted me to give you.”

I noticed a larger envelope in his hand and huffed. “What is it with these fucking Easter eggs?”

“What?”

“He’s left me several envelopes. Hell, the man bought me a horse and had it delivered yesterday.”

Mike raised his eyebrows. “Your uncle was a character. He did give explicit instructions to wait until today to hand deliver this information. Four weeks to the day of you moving in.”

“What the fuck is it?”

“Maybe I could come in for a few minutes so we can discuss it.”

I debated slamming the door in the man’s face but decided against it. “Just a few minutes.”

“This won’t take long.”

Once we were inside, I kept him close to the door and shoved the weapon into the waistband of my jeans before taking the manila envelope from his hand. He said nothing until I opened it.

After flipping from one set of papers to another, I still didn’t know what the hell I was looking at. “What is this, Mr. Schaffer, and don’t give me the runaround about it. What did my uncle do?”

“Henry bought the property next door two years ago. He worked on it right up until his death and he wanted you to have it.”

Worked on it. What did that mean? “How much land?”

“One hundred and fifty acres, but it’s not just a piece of land. He created a horse sanctuary.”

“What?”

Mike nodded. “Yes. For injured or abused horses. It’s a magical place that includes several barns, exercise corrals, a medical facility and office, and some cottages for the employees who live there. There’s much more. He had it ready and there are about a dozen horses already living on the property.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Maybe it’s something you need to see for yourself, Kage. He took pride in creating it, working with officials and specialists. I helped him find the right people to do the job. Word spread and he even received several grants. I helped him begin the search for a qualified veterinarian as well, but I suspended the efforts when he died. I figured that would be something you’d want to resume yourself.”

“Why didn’t you mention this before?” I turned slightly, unable to see Juliette, but I wasn’t going to freak yet. The backyard was large enough she could have stepped out of view.

“Because I was given explicit instructions not to tell you immediately. I think your uncle wanted you to become comfortable in your surroundings.”

“Christ. I’m likely to sell the place and this will just cause undue complications.”

His face fell, not that I gave a shit. “Well, I do have an interested party if you want to sell, but your uncle really hoped you’d stay here and take over the sanctuary.”

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