"Conservative estimates, accounting for seasonal variations... three to four years?"
Okay, that’s plenty of time to see how this plays out. And enough time to decide what to do with her when it stops being useful.
"One condition," I say.
"What?"
"You live here. In the village. Tourism management means you're always available."
"I'm already here."
"I mean proper accommodation. Not a house with no electricity or water."
She's quiet, weighing options she doesn't really have. Pride versus comfort. Independence versus the fake independence I'm offering.
"What'd you have in mind?"
"A cottage on my property. Private but convenient. Part of the guest facilities."
The cottage exists. Needs some work to make sure she can't leave without me knowing. Security that looks rustic. Locks that work both ways. Communication I control.
"I'd pay rent," she says, still thinking this is a negotiation.
"Gets deducted from profits."
"And I'd have complete control over tourism operations?"
When hell freezes over.
"Within reasonable limits,” I reply.
"What limits?"
"We'll figure out guidelines," I say. Truth would end this conversation fast.
She sticks out her hand like she's about to seal a corporate deal between equals. The balls on this girl.
"Partners?" she asks.
I take her hand. Small, soft, breakable if she ever becomes more trouble than she's worth.
"Partners," I agree.
But holding her hand longer than I need to, I'm thinking about timelines. How long before she starts asking the wrong questions? How long before she becomes a problem instead of useful?
For now, Madison Sullivan's the most interesting thing to happen in my territory in years. Naive American who thinks she can turn a village I control through fear into some tourist destination with business plans and optimism.
I want to see how long she can keep believing her own bullshit.
And when reality finally hits her, I'll be right there to watch what breaks first.
“Come on,” I say. “Let me show you the cottage.”
Chapter 11: Maddie
The cottage is absolutely perfect. Exactly the kind of guest accommodation that would make tourists pay premium prices.
"This is beautiful," I say as Enzo shows me through rooms that manage to be both rustic and elegant. Stone walls, comfortable furniture, windows that frame the sea view like paintings.
