Page 26 of Thor
I looked from Rattler to Shadow.“Wow.Way to make a guy feel fucking safe.”
Rattler shrugged.“Just saying, if I fucked up a hit I’d be right on it.I wouldn’t give the target time to heal up and come back at me.”
He had a point there.I looked at Ace.“So, I’m in the clear, everything goes back to normal?”
He shook his head.“Not yet.You might not be a target, but I want Joker to okay you as one hundred percent fit before we put you back on the duty roster.”
I suppose I should have been unhappy about that, but it meant I could spend time with Janet getting the shop up and running.Deuce had finalized the purchase offer on the building, and the seller was eager for a quick closing.Barring any last-minute surprises, she could move into the apartment at the end of the next week and start working on renovations to the retail space.She’d given her two weeks’ notice at the hospital and would be finished up there soon.That would give her time to pack.The rent on her current apartment didn’t run out until the end of the month, so she could take her time moving things over to the new space.
She hadn’t actually agreed to me moving in with her, but I could work on that.Besides the obvious financial benefits, I could provide security, muscle to move heavy things, and stress relief.
That last one was my ace in the hole.
Chapter Seven
Janet
You know that thing where if something feels too good to be true, it probably is?That’s how I felt about Riptide practically bending over backward to get me set up in my dream career.Everything on my wish list had suddenly fallen into my lap.Yeah, it definitely felt too good to be true.
Jason Witherspoon was a good lawyer and I’d known him since I was a child, but he was also a family friend.Knowing how close he was to my parents, I’d debated the wisdom of calling him, but I really need to have someone I trusted go over the legal stuff that Riptide’s lawyer had prepared.I’d called his office after hours, knowing his receptionist would be gone but he’d still be there.Guys like Jason didn’t work the nine to five.
He answered the phone with his usual charm, his voice gruff.“This better not be a scam call or I’m going to sue your ass.”
“Well, hi to you too, Jason.We haven’t talked in ages, but you’re as charming as ever.”
“Janet?”
“Yup, It’s me.”
“How the heck are you?Your parents said you had a big blowout and ghosted them.”
“Depends on how you look at it,” I answered wryly.“They said if I didn’t agree to marry Maxwell, I was out of the family.I’m definitely not marrying Maxwell, so it seemed best to move on.”
“I’m sure they didn’t mean that literally.Your parents just want the best for you.Maxwell’s family has money and connections.You’d never have to worry about anything again.”
I doubted that, but I let it pass.“I have a legal question for you, but first I need to know if what we discuss is going to get back to my mom and dad.”
“Absolutely not.”He sounded all professional now.“Client-lawyer privilege is sacred.You can tell me anything up to and including who you murdered, and I will not tell a soul.”
“Well, it’s not quite that serious.”I took a deep breath.“It’s a business deal I’m looking at, and I need someone I can trust to look over the contracts and make sure there’s nothing in there that can trip me up.”
“What kind of business deal?”
“A lease with an option to buy on a building.I plan to open a flower store and the place is perfect.With a few changes, it will work just fine.It just needs a bit of sprucing up to get it ready to open.The owners will pay for the improvements that I want.”
“Sounds ideal.Are you working with a realtor on this?”
I shook my head and then realized he couldn’t see me.“No.The guy I’m seeing belongs to a group that is looking to invest in real estate.”I explained the situation to him, trying to make it sound more formal than it was.
“It sounds like a great opportunity for you.Right place at the right time and all that.”He paused, and I held my breath, waiting for the “but.”It didn’t come.“Can you bring me a copy of the contract before you sign it?I can give it a look over and make sure it’s as good as it sounds.”
“Absolutely!”I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.I would trust Thor and Riptide with my life, but it made sense to get an outside opinion before jumping into such a big commitment.“I’ll let you know when I have it.”
“Great.I’ll let my receptionist know to squeeze you in, and I’ll make sure you don’t accidentally run into any family while you’re here.And, Janet?”
“Yes?”
“Consider giving your parents a call.They miss you.”
