Page 159 of Money Reigns
Her mother.
Before I can second-guess it, I hit dial.
The line rings once, twice.
“Hello?”
Her voice is warm. Weary. The sound of years lived in the same place, carrying the same weight.
“Mrs. Baker,” I say evenly, leaning back in my chair. “This is Warren Beaumont. I’m calling about the inn.”
A pause. “I—what? I’m sorry, who did you say?”
“Warren Beaumont,” I repeat. “Olivia’s… boyfriend.”
I hate that fucking word.
Boyfriend…. it’s juvenile.
Another beat. Then a smile in her voice. “Oh! Well. Liv Bug didn’t mention she was seeing anyone.”
Liv Bug.
A low chuckle. “Aren’t you her boss?”
“Technically,” I say smoothly. “But that’s because I own the company. She’s more like the best right hand I’ve ever had.”
A soft hum, somewhere between amused and curious.
“That is our Liv, always a hard worker.”
I push forward before she asks more. “I wanted to talk about the inn. I’d like to pay it off.”
Silence. Then a careful, “Pay it off?”
“Yes. Whatever’s owed—I’ll send a check today. Just tell me the number.”
There’s a long pause on the other end.
“Mr. Beaumont… it’s not quite that simple. It’s not a loan we’re paying down. It’s more of a… quarterly debt.”
My brows pull together. “Quarterly?”
She hesitates again. “Yes. We don’t really own the property in the traditional sense. We just… keep it. In exchange for payments.”
I tilt my head. That hesitation wasn’t casual. The way she says it makes me want to pry further.
Red alarms ringing.
Understanding hits slow and cold.
Her mother is just as evasive as she is.
“How much?” I ask tightly.
“Ten thousand a quarter,” she says softly. “It’s always been that way. Since before Olivia left home.”
“I’ll have it handled today. You’ll get a check, and a contact to deal with going forward.”
