Shadow pushes his beer aside and crosses his arms against his chest, giving me his undivided attention.
“What’s going on with the ranch?”
“It’s nothing.I’ll handle it.”
“Maddox.”
Realizing he’s not about to let me skid away without coming clean, I sigh.Holding all this shit in, pretending like I’m not fucking drowning all the time, is exhausting.Maybe getting it off my chest isn’t the worst idea.
“The ranch is bleeding money, man.We haven’t turned a profit in God knows how long, and everything I do to get us out of the red fails.Costs are just too high, and the business model that worked for my Granddaddy can’t survive in the current economic climate.”
I think about that a lot.Granddaddy didn’t make a fraction of what the ranch’s books show now, and he not only supported his own family, but he kept a full staff on his payroll and expanded the property lines multiple times without going into debt.
“Can you take a second mortgage on the land or even the main house?Get some cash flowing in for a while until you figure things out.”
“We own everything free and clear, so technically it would be a first mortgage.”I pause for a beat, trying to decide how much I’m willing to share.“But yeah, I considered it.I even went to the bank to see if I’d be pre-approved.”
“So what’s the problem?You didn’t get the approval?”
“Oh, no, I got the approval,” I mutter, diverting my gaze to the empty shot glass in front of me.“You ever hear of Landry Oil?”
“I’ve seen their trucks around town, and they got a rig a couple miles west of Saddle Ridge that I pass every now and then.”His brows pinch together.“What does an oil company have to do with any of this?”
I meet his gaze.“They want my land.”
Those four words leave a sour taste in my mouth.I tried to forget my altercation with the CEO of Landry Oil, but there is no erasing that sleezy motherfucker from my mind.The bastard did his homework before he paid me a visit.He knew just how fucked I was before the soles of his pristine loafers touched the dirt of Meadows Ranch.
“I hope you told those cunts to piss off.”
“I sure did, but the CEO didn’t appreciate that, and no isn’t part of his vocabulary.He threatened to take further action.He wasn’t specific with what that might be, but I did some digging, and there are a couple of routes he can take to get what he wants.One way he can go over my head is by putting an offer on any outstanding bank notes.”
“Ah,” Shadow says.“So what you’re saying is that if you took a mortgage on the land, this company can then offer to buy the note.”
“Right, and depending on how dirty they want to play, they can offer well above the original note.If the bank accepts the offer, Landry Oil takes ownership of the mortgage.But that’s just one option.For all I know, these guys have politicians in their pockets.What I really should do is sit down with a lawyer, but I don’t have the extra funds to retain one.”
“Jesus,” Shadow says.“What a fucking mess.I’m taking your sister doesn’t know any of this.”
“Fuck no.The last thing I need is another thing for her to throw in my face.That’s why the sooner she’s gone, the better.”
“Well, if your grandfather dying wasn’t enough of a reason to get drunk on a Monday, that sure as hell will do it.”
Shadow uncrosses his arms and leans forward, signaling for Amelia to pour us another round.
“I wish I could offer you the cash you need myself, but my money is all tied up at the moment.What I can offer you is protection.If Landry makes another appearance on your land, call me.”
“I wouldn’t take a loan from you.”
Granddaddy always said never to do business with friends.
“Pride ain’t gonna fix your problems, brother.”He turns his attention back to me.“You know, I might not have the cash to float you, but I know who does, and it wouldn’t be a loan.”
Curious, I narrow my eyes.
“The club is looking for new investments.”His eyes scan the room before coming back to me.“Why do you think we bought this place?Closed on The Hideaway as a silent partner too.Lucifer is on a mission to expand the club’s legit business portfolio.I’d have to bring it up at church and see the consensus, but I think your ranch would be a good fit for the Fallen Demons.You should come to the clubhouse with your financials.Speak with Lucifer.He’s got a bad rep, but the man knows how to turn a dollar into an empire better than anyone I’ve ever met.If anyone can get you out of this mess, it’s him, and you can bet all the tea in China, Landry Oil will back off once word gets out that you’re tied to the Fallen Demons.”
I don’t know what I was expecting him to say, but that sure as fuck wasn’t it.I’ve got nothing but respect for the men Shadow calls his brothers but getting in bed with the Fallen Demons motorcycle club, taking them on as an investor—well, let’s just say that is not the vision my grandfather had for the future of the ranch.
Before I can tell him any of that, Amelia returns with our refills.
