Page 83 of Huge Dynamite
“Anyway.” Clearing my throat, I go on. “We’re lucky that Clea likes Holly and gave me a set of keys.”
“Yeah—she was quick handing over those keys. I’m sure it had nothing to do with a bunch of bikers showing up on their motorcycles, wearing their colors and asking if we could fix it up.”
Chuckling, I smile. “I guess we can be an intimidating bunch. But she cleared it with Holly. Told Holly that she had a construction crew that owed her and was willing to work for free—that way they’d do better on the listing price and Holly could recoup some more money.”
“Not to mention a bigger commission for Clea,” Nick adds. “We were just lucky Holly didn’t stop by.”
“I think she’s avoiding the place,” I add.
“Probably. For now.” Nick’s dark tone brightens again. “Well, how we got in here doesn’t matter. We did. The best part? This place has completely transformed over the past two weeks. It sure looks good.”
Glancing around, I have to agree with him. The ground floor is clean and organized, with a custom-built, giant reception desk to the right. We brought in construction guys, and we worked round the clock—with the help of some of the Vipers and Rebels and Julius—but the place has been completely transformed. New windows were hung, the floors repaired and polished, the bathrooms have been gutted, retiled, and made handicap accessible. The sinks have all been replaced and guardrails have been put up everywhere.
“It was expensive, Nick. I can’t thank you enough for cutting the clubhouse build to find the money to use here.”
“Most of the labor was free. All we paid for were supplies and a couple of professionals. Even they gave us a break when they found out what this building was going to be.”
Glancing at the stained-glass window above the front door, I take a deep breath.
“Still not letting anyone help you with the third floor?” Nick raises an eyebrow.
“I had the plumber and electrician up.”
“Yeah, but no one else. That’s cool, I understand. You’re making her a living space.”
“I just hope she likes it.” My voice trails off.
“She’ll love it, Seth. But you have to be ready for her to not want to live here. It has some of her worst memories. Even though this is no longer Dog turf, she may be scared to be here.”
“I know.” Nodding, I look Nick in the eye. “I just want to give her the option.” Taking a deep breath, I continue. “There have been people driving by, you know. Prospective buyers. Some guy in an expensive German car came by a couple of times, scoping it out. The building will sell if she wants it to.”
Nick smiles. “Yes. Now we find out if she wants it to. Ready to get this show on the road?”
Swallowing hard, I take a deep breath.
“Got your flowers?”
“They’re waiting upstairs.”
“Okay.” He turns to leave.
“Hey, Nick?”
“Yeah?”
“What if she doesn’t want to come?”
He smiles. “The guys have a plan. Don’t worry. She’ll come.”
“What plan?”
He winks. “A good one.”
Crap. Still, the nerves in my gut are quelled some by Nick’s reassurance, and I rush up the two sets of stairs to the third floor to wait.
Chapter Twenty
Holly
