Page 13 of Betrayal

She leaned back and audibly exhaled.“I’m still deciding about him.”Her dreams were haunted by the wretched man.“The proposal seems genuine.His plans have been lodged with the council.Floor three is definitely designated as a childcare centre.A building compliance check has been completed.Much faster than I could have achieved, even with a lease.”

“But?”

“I’ve agreed to have a meal with him tonight to discuss further details.”She frowned.

“Dinner?”Antonio asked.

“Mr.Thompson claimed to have back-to-back meetings all week.Tonight was the best chance to answer my questions.”She was a mess of nerves and realised she didn’t want Antonio to veto the meal.She was looking forward to sparring with Hunter again.

“That’s plausible.”Antonio steepled his hands in front of his mouth.“I did some backgrounding myself.This will be the third development he’s taken on in the last eighteen months.The first and third ones he’s bought outright.He’s in a partnership on the second.”

“Are you concerned he’s overcommitted?”

Even if she wanted to spar with Hunter, she wouldn’t take a risk on this going belly-up.Or worse, that he preyed on businesses or people in trouble.

“My checks show he’s delivering what he’s promised; his partners, suppliers, and trades aren’t complaining.”

“You’re happy for me to deal?”Relief made her dizzy.

“I’ve established that he’s solvent and planned work on his projects is proceeding in an orderly manner.”Antonio rubbed his chin, a sign of qualified praise.“Quite a feat in the building industry these days, with supply constraints, fluctuating costs and variable availability of materials and labour.”

“That’s a yes.”Her heart raced.Yes!

“It’s a maybe.He hasn’t laid out the costs and specifics of what he’s offering us.”He touched her briefly on the arm.“The budget I gave you remains the budget.If the offer comes in within budget and delivers what we want, then we’re good to go.”

“I understand.”

He smiled wryly.“Don’t waste time on Thompson if the proposal won’t work for us.We’ll find another property.”

“I won’t let you down.”She’d make this proposal work.The building was perfect.“Your research shows he’s solvent.The council documents show he’s serious.Honouring the previous owner’s lease shows he’s decent.”Especially after her outburst in the bar.Anna respected decency.

“It’s not a matter of letting me down.I know this is important to you.I don’t know all the reasons why, and I won’t ask.I can see the positive office and inter-office chatter it’s generating.Delivering will boost morale.I’ve spoken to Nadia, offered to pay the difference between her current childcare and a centre closer to work for a few months.She’s thinking about it.”Antonio was also a decent, generous man.Widowed when his kids were in primary school, he understood the challenges of being a single parent.

“Thank you.”

“I know we stand to lose her.”He massaged the back of his neck.“Plus, you’re right.My overall opinion of Hunter Thompson is positive.He didn’t chat much, didn’t set out to charm.Let’s see the detail of what he’s offering ...”

Anna spent the next hour rechecking the plans, developing a list of questions and reviewing her previous budget.Leasing part of the premises and sharing costs shouldn’t cost more than her original plans, but that was one of her first tests for Hunter.Satisfied, she pushed back from her desk.

Solvent, serious and decent, making Hunter’s game-playing with his father a puzzle as well as a turn-off.Anna had no patience for betrayal in any of its guises.

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