We’re definitely gonna need to have a talk.
Leaving them to their business, I step inside the trailer.Lucifer greets me, and we make useless small talk.A few moments later the door swings open behind me, and Shadow and Della walk inside hand in hand.He pulls out the chair beside me for her, and she lowers herself into it without looking at me.Then he leans over her, and nods to the to-go cup on Lucifer’s desk.
“That’s for you, Della,” Shadow murmur.“The only one who’s touched it was me, and that’s when I went to get it from the place in town.Only ones who have been in here are those in this room.”
I raise an eyebrow at that.Apparently, what’s going on between them isn’t a new development because there is no denying that he’s referencing the night of her rape, something she wouldn’t openly share with just anyone.
Lucifer calls Della’s name, snapping me out of my stupor.
“Nice to finally meet you,” he adds, his eyes assessing her.
I catalog their interaction, noting Della looks a little nervous.If she and Shadow have been spending time together, it hasn’t been around here.Unless of course she’s playing it off.At this point, I’m not sure that would surprise me.There seems to be a lot I don’t know when it comes to my sister.
Lucifer turns his attention to me.“Let’s get straight to the chase, shall we?”
“I’m all for that,” I return, smoothing my hands over my thighs.The sooner we agree to a deal, the easier I can breathe.Then I can focus all my energy on Amelia.
“The club met this morning before your arrival to discuss a plan Shadow brought to my attention yesterday.”
“Plan?What plan?”I ask, shifting forward in my seat.This is the first time I’m hearing about any plan, and I don’t like being kept in the dark, especially by someone I consider a friend.Someone who obviously has it bad for my fucking sister.
Shadow and Lucifer exchange a look that only increases my irritation.
“You didn’t tell him?”Lucifer asks Shadow, who merely shrugs in response.I clench my jaw, trying to keep my temper in check.
“Um,” Della murmurs nervously, her gaze cutting to me.“I’m sorry, I’d wanted to talk to you about it first, but Shadow saw it and?—”
Shadow cuts her off.
“I thought it was a damn good idea and wanted to show it to Lucifer before this meeting.”
“How noble of you,” I growl.“Does anyone want to fucking tell me?”
Della flinches at my tone but doesn’t say anything.Leaning over the desk, Lucifer nudges a folder toward me, along with some other documents.
“Shadow came to me with a new business plan,” he explains as I open the folder.“Considering the new development with your sister staying on as part owner, we think it will be a good fit.Enclosed you will find the terms on which we’re willing to agree to.”
Della stretches out a hand, taking some of the papers from me.Her eyes skim over them, then she lifts her head, her eyes locking with Lucifer’s.
“Sixty-forty,” she questions.“And you want an option that allows the club to build houses on the ranch?”
Shit.
I forgot to mention that part to her.To be fair, I wasn’t sold on the idea when Shadow first mentioned it, but then Della got bit by the snake and all hell broke loose before I could express as much to him.If we let them build houses on the property, who’s to say they won’t try to build something else.I don’t want Meadows Ranch to turn into a compound for bikers.That land is my sanctuary.
I snatch the papers from her and read through the details of the proposed deal.Mostly everything we discussed is there.They will provide the capital needed to take the ranch out of the red.A lot more than we discussed, though.They’ll also supply the ranch with a butcher, eliminating the need to outsource our beef.There is also a strategic plan to open a restaurant on the land, and mention of how the club will provide protection for the ranch.The only thing that’s new is the bit about a dude ranch.
But as I glance over the plan Della created, I can’t ignore the fact that it’s a decent suggestion.Hell, it might even be the one thing that turns a profit.I guess that’s where the extra capital comes into play.
“You would be putting up a lot of capital,” I say.
“Yes, we would,” Lucifer agrees.
“That’s a big risk.It’s going to take forever to pay you back.”
“Not if the dude ranch and restaurant are successful,” Lucifer counters.
Della turns her attention to me.“What do you think?”
