Page 99 of He Who Sleeps

"But we might have to get it custom designed and built," Carter explained. "Brutus needs space. Easton needs a studio with good lighting. A few of us are going to need offices. That's going to be hard to find, even in a city this size."

"And we should talk about what you want," Finn said. "In an ideal world, if you didn't have to work and could do anything you wanted, what would you do?"

“I...what?” She looked at them, considering their words. Not having to work? That was insane. “I...well, I guess I would keep doing what I was doing. Helping animals, working with beautiful art.” Catching Easton’s eye, she blushed. “I love what I do, I mean I didn’t have weird ass parents pushing their own agenda on me. I do what I love...the art, the animals... If I didn’t have to work, I would still do it all, because it brings me joy. In a perfect world I would want to help more animals, and make things safer for them.”

“And a family?” Emerson asked.

“Aside from you guys? You mean kids?” He nodded. “Yes. Of course. A real family.” She sighed. “What brought us together doesn’t change how badly I want happily ever after with you guys. Is it normal? No, but who of us is?”

"Well that's good to know," Finn said, grinning. "Extra rooms for kids. Check."

"And maybe enough space out back for an animal sanctuary," Carter joked.

“Oh, that would be lovely.” She beamed. “Well maybe not in the back yard, but close...”

Emerson was fiddling with his tablet. “Twelve acres just outside the city in Bala Cynwyd...” He shook the tablet at them. “Perfect for a massive house, already equipped with a barn and its own forest.” He looked up at Rix. “Perfect for a bit of chase.”

Rix chuckled and shook his head, but winked at her, causing her to blush. The thought of being chased again sent a shiver through her body. Rix was her most volatile lover, so over the top, from his chases to his home invasions...gods...it worked for them.

"Sounds good to me," Easton was grinning. "Add it to the short list and send me the link. If it's still available when we get back, I'll book viewings for all of us."

Leo was also looking at his phone. "Pretty good road links from there into the city," he approved. "Do we know any good architects?"

“I might be able to handle that,” Emerson said. “You guys remember Damon, graduated with us from the school?” He referenced their school in Arizona. “He isn’t involved in the organization, and would understand us wanting a place created to our specs.”

“You have friends you grew up with that aren’t part of the faith?” she asked.

“No, he’s part of the faith, but he’s not part of the inner circle. He’s from a lesser family that gets the favor through personal worship, but not through group rites. I don’t think he ever belonged to a group.”

"Maybe that's part of the reason The Order is keeping Him starved," Carter speculated. "I'm not defending those assholes in any way, and they're all going to die, but what if they want The Order to stay small and for the likes of Damon to only get a taste of the power he could be receiving? Keeping the power base tight and unnoticed."

"Maybe," said Finn, "but it's up to Him who joins The Order. Not the Elders. Anyway, Damon is a great choice. Let's hit him up. He's good, so he's going to be busy. And wherever we buy, we're going to either have to build or carry out major renovations."

Emerson nodded, pulling his phone out as Jack looked to Carter. “That’s a valid concern. There are many guys we went to school with that aren’t inner circle, hell, remember Xander Cade? Remember he was slated to be part of a crew and then wasn’t. I can’t remember why, but... It was soon after that we were given free rein over the fall rites. You know, I don’t think another group has been created since we were. With the amount of men we graduated with, there should be groups feeding Him in every major city, but if the Elders have made it that way...”

"We need to have a long talk with the priests when we've taken over," Finn said. "And I know it's a lot to put on you, Emerson, but I was wondering if you'd put together some sort of educational package or presentation to send out to all the members about what's going on. Summarize what we've learned and what's going to change. Maybe think about putting together an Order-wide library for anyone to read and use. I think part of how this was allowed to happen is the fault of those assholes at the temple keeping all the knowledge to themselves."

“It was on the list, so I’m glad we are on the same page,” Emerson offered. “Considering I have the least amount of shit to do daily this works.”

“Em, what is it you actually do?” she asked him.

“I oversee nine companies my family has a vested interest in. Majored in business management and here I am.” He winked.

"You can have a team," Finn told him. "Anyone you want. I don't expect you to do this alone."

“Obviously. If I need you guys, I’ll ask. Though, Carter, I might need your data miner friend. I have an idea about the accounts, too.”

They talked about their plans, Petra settling in to listen to it all, and smiled at Easton who was sitting on the other big chair. He looked better, and she felt better about everything with him. Their conversations flowed down the track of preparations, and she drifted off, listening to the quiet rumble of her men’s voices as they planned to take over the world.

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