“I got four more properties lined up,” Julia said, her voice firm.“But I have some bad news.”
Archer and I shared a look over the table.“What is it?”
“I would have had a fifth building but in between our outreach and about ten minutes ago…Sebastian Cross purchased it.”
“Fuck.”I leaned back into my seat, turning the news over in my head.
“He’s started buying,” Archer said quietly.
“He already knows we are,” I said.“Probably wants to get ahead of us.Again.”
“Well, it gets a bit worse.Sebastian paid forty percent over asking price.”
“Jesus,” I blurted.“Someone’s desperate.”
“That just means we have to crank the dial,” Archer said, leaning toward the table.“Julia, purchase whatever you can right now.You can go up to thirty over asking.If we can add four more properties to the holdings today, I’ll consider it a good day.”
“On it,” Julia said.“And I’m still waiting to hear back on roughly five more.But that’s about all we’ve got available to us within the vicinity you specified.”
The line went dead, and Archer and I stared at each other for a few moments, speaking volumes without a single word.
“I’m just worried it’s not gonna be enough,” Archer finally said, his gaze moving back to the map.
“The property moves or the money?”
“Both.”
“Well, don’t forget.We have the Gideon Hotel project,” I reminded him.“That’s gonna keep us afloat for the next couple of years, even if we get a little risky with additional investments.”
“Yeah.”Archer nodded, but he didn’t look convinced.“We have the Gideon project.That’ll save us.”
In the silence, the memory of last night crept into my thoughts—the way Clara had stood toe-to-toe with Sebastian, the heat of her body against mine when we'd gotten lost in that moment in the ballroom.I pushed the thoughts away.I needed to focus, not think about how fucking delicious her body had felt beneath my grip.When I closed my eyes I could still see her sexy curves.I’d stared at her ass more last night than a real boyfriend might have.And fuck if I wasn’t looking forward to seeing her again.
My cell phone rang, interrupting my brooding.Mrs.Young, one of the new contacts I’d made earlier this week, owned a small apartment building with eight rent-controlled units.
"Mrs.Young," I said, putting the call on speaker so Archer could hear."How are you?"
"Mr.Nightingale, I'm sorry to bother you, but something happened today."Her voice was shaky, uncertain, different from when we’d met previously."A man from Cross Developments called me.He made an offer on my building."
My stomach dropped."What kind of offer?"
The pause felt eternal."Ten million dollars."
I nearly choked.Archer's eyebrows shot up.That was nearing double what the property should be worth, even in a hot market.
"Mrs.Young, that's...that's a very generous offer," I managed.
"Listen, I know it’s absurd," she said quietly."My building is worth maybe half that on a good day.I had it appraised recently so I know what it would go for.This feels wrong, Mr.Nightingale.Like they're trying to buy me out before I can think about it."
She was right.It was exactly what they were doing.
"Mrs.Young, if you're comfortable holding off on making any decisions, I'd like to make you a counteroffer.I'll beat their highest offer by twenty percent if you'll commit to selling only to me.”Archer’s eyes widened at me from across the table.“But really, I want you to hold onto it.Our priority is that everyone who wants to stay in your neighborhoodcanstay.For the rest of their lives.But if you must sell, I want you to sell to me.Not to that guy."
“I understand.I need to think about it," she said."But thank you, Mr.Nightingale.I wanted you to know what was happening."
After she hung up, I thought Archer’s eyes would pop out of his head.
"Ten million?"Archer said finally."For eight rent-controlled units?”
