My nephew takes them, and I peer over, noticing they’re deeds.
“Why would they own parcels of land up and down the river, in various towns?” he questions, studying the papers. “For farms? A flood wall?”
“Fallon told me that ComVista, Inc. and East Labs wanted land to create a railway corridor,” Lucas tells him. “The government was interested too. I think the Doran brothers stockpiled real estate when it had little value to sell as a whole for train tracks.”
He blinks. “Shit. That’s brilliant.”
“That’s a hundred grand an acre,” Lucas states.
Millions of dollars. That they’re giving to rebuild Weston.
“And if one of the hubs on the corridor ends up being here?” Hawke’s eyes gleam.
Meaning one of the railway stops?
Lucas grins. “Now you’re thinking like them.”
The hair on my scalp tries to stand up. It would mean jobs, factories, hotels, restaurants... It would completely resurrect Weston.
And everyone seems to understand the same thing, because no one speaks as we imagine the possibilities.
Lucas holds my hand on the drive back to my house, the convoy behind us splitting off and returning to the Falls,everyone sworn to secrecy. Helping me out of the car, he doesn’t let go, looking around at the people on Knock Hill, who are drinking on porches, and we both take notice of another damn party coming from Farrow’s place. He must be back already.
Young men tip their chins at Lucas, but he pulls me inside as quickly as possible.
Locking the door, he brings up the app and loads all of the cameras on his phone, but I leave the lights off and hold him.
Dragging my mouth up his neck and grazing his jaw, I exhale hard. I’m so glad he’s safe.
He threads his fingers through the back of my hair, fisting them as he hovers over my mouth. “I need to call your father tomorrow. And talk to your brothers.”
“I know.” I nod, dying for a kiss. “Can you take Noah and Farrow with you? And my nieces and nephews? Jared and Jax have the strength of three men each when they’re ready to kill someone, and Madoc could be armed.”
He almost laughs. “I’ll face them like a damned grown-up, otherwise I don’t deserve you.”
Sliding my hands up his shirt, I whisper, “I don’t want to talk about them tonight.”
I just want to curl up into him and catch my breath.
I turn and take his hand, pulling him toward the stairs, but he yanks me back.
I laugh, crashing back into his chest, but just then, a silver chain collar appears, dangling in front of my face. My mouth falls open. Did he have that on him?
“Ready for number seven?” He hooks it around my neck, the long leash cold against my back.
I close my eyes, moaning as he tugs a little and presses his cock into my ass. “Yes,” I breathe out.
“What’s number seven?”
I pop my eyes open. My spine stiffening, I feel Lucas do the same behind me at the sound of the stern voice.
Madoc strolls around the corner from the kitchen, Jared and Jax following as they cross the living room and enter the foyer with us.
Lucas unhooks the chain and steps in front of me. “Madoc.”
I peer around him, seeing Jared’s fists balled at his side, his eyes on fire.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt out.
