“You could donate it?”
“I already plan on it, smartass. But seriously, let me help you. I want you and Axel to have the best chance at success, ok?”
“Ok.”
“Yay,” Danielle squeals and pulls Chloe into a tight hug. She pulls Chloe back, holding her by her shoulders, and looks at her.
“What? Do I have something on my face?”
“Come on,” Danielle gets up and pulls Chloe to stand, holding her hand and moving back into the lodge.
“Where are we going?”
“Where’s Axel?”
“In his office, probably, what’s going on, Danielle? What are you doing?”
Danielle ignores her and pulls Chloe behind her to Axel’s office, knocking on the door before opening it.
Axel is at his desk with some paperwork in front of him, looking incredibly sexy in his flannel with the top buttons undone, chest hair poking out.
“Danielle. Chloe. Can I help you ladies with something?”
Chloe shuts the door behind them, still unsure of what Danielle has planned.
“I have a proposition for you.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Axel
Axel is confused by the sudden appearance of his mate and her friend in his office. Chloe looks beautiful, of course, in a floor-length, gauzy white dress with an oversized cream sweater on top. The hiking boots on her feet complete the look, and he loves it.
“What’s the proposition?” he asks Danielle.
She takes a seat across the desk from him, sitting up straight with her hands on her crossed knee, all business.
“I know that you have lost millions, stolen by your accountant, and that your business is failing.”
Axel darts his eyes to Chloe and back to Danielle. Chloe moves around the desk to stand at Axel’s side with her hand on his shoulder, offering support.
“Yes. Um...yes, that’s true, unfortunately. With business being slow and what Maury did, we don’t have the funds to keep going for much longer.”
“How long till you’re out of business?”
“A year, maybe? Most likely six months. I’ve been using the funds from a trust to support the business; there’s only about six months left before it’s all gone.”
“And what is your plan?”
He sees the stern look on Danielle’s face. She doesn’t look angry exactly, but this is what he guesses is her business face.
“My plan?”
“How do you plan on caring for Chloe if, when, the lodge goes under? How about your brothers? Your mom?”
The mention of his mom hits a sore spot. They pay for her living expenses in Florida, and he hasn’t quite figured out how to help her out when they have to close the lodge.
“I’m not sure yet.” He shuffles in his seat. He’s a grown man, big and built like a brick shithouse. But under scrutiny from Chloe’s best friend, he feels like a kid in trouble.
