“Here’s my proposition for you. I have already offered Chloe start-up money for her accounting firm in town.”
He turns to look at Chloe, a questioning look on his face.
“Chloe?”
“I was going to talk to you,” she shoots Danielle a glare. “Since Maury is gone, there are a lot of businesses and people who now need an accountant. I thought since I’m moving here, I could start my own firm, help people out, and work in town.”
“That’s great, baby. I’ll help however I can.”
She leans over for a quick kiss before Danielle clears her throat.
“As I was saying. Chloe has accepted my business offer of start-up capital for her firm.”
“We will pay you back-”
“No. This is a business deal, just like the one I’m going to make with you, Axel.”
He raises his eyebrow at her, questioning and urging her to continue.
“I would like to invest in the lodge. It’s a good business, family-run, beautiful property. I think you have poor advertising.”
“I’ve tried, we put out pamphlets. Internet ads.”
“But it’s not working. Advertising your own business is a full-time job. You need an advertising firm to work with you.”
“My father had one when he was alive. But when we started losing money quickly, I had to cut it.”
“That’s where I come in. I’m an advertising executive, you will now be my client.”
“Danielle, Ms. Wilkshire-”
“I will take the standard rateafter, after we see an increase in visitors of fifty percent. Personally, I will invest ten million into the lodge. Between my personal investment and my marketing plan, I foresee that your business will be up and running nicely soon.”
“I’m not sure what to say.” He looks between Danielle and Chloe. It’s an embarrassment for him. To have failed his family, to have failed in front of his mate.
“Say yes. There is nothing wrong or shameful in accepting a business investment, it happens every second around the world. And I will benefit as well with a seven percent return on my investment and my advertising rate. This is mutually beneficial.”
“I…” Chloe squeezes his shoulder. He kisses her knuckles. His father was a proud man, proud of his family, of his success at running his business. But he was never too proud to ask for help. He taught his sons that. There was no ‘be a man’, or ‘a real man does this’. He taught them to love and be kind, and to accept help when it was offered.
He stands and extends his hand to Danielle. “Ten percent return.”
She stands as well and puts her hand in his, “eight percent. Ten would be taking advantage.”
They shake hands, and a huge smile splits his face. He gathers Chloe in his arms and kisses her senseless. He hears Danielle excuse herself and the click of the door closing behind her. It’s all coming together. Finding his mate. Saving his family’s business. It’s what he’s wanted for so long, and now he has it. It feels unreal.
“So an accounting firm, huh?”
She blushes and looks away.
“Hey, look at me.” He touches her chin softly and turns her head back towards his. “I’m proud of you, Chloe. An accounting firm will be a great addition to the town, the people of Silver Lake will be happy to have you.”
“You think?”
“Yes, baby. You will do a lot of good, I’m sure.”
They kiss more, soft and slow, like they have all the time in the world. Now he just needs to figure out what to do about Harvey Group. It’s a lot, but at least the lodge is safe now. He can stop dipping into the trust. Chloe got all the accounts back under his control. He knows his family’s land is safe and his family will be cared for. And Harvey Group can fuckoff. They’re not taking the lodge now, they can’t. He can do anything with his mate at his side.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
