Page 77 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

Landon surges forward and jams his finger into the table. “Zoe has done an amazing job coordinating the estate renovation and meeting this town’s needs while you’ve been ill.” His voice overpowers every other sound in the room with the command I imagine he frequently uses in boardrooms around the world. “Every action has been professional and above board. You have no grounds to fire her.”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, young man. Step back.”

“Zoe should be mayor, not you.” Landon’s voice carries a threat I’ve never heard before, but the ease with which the words slide from his mouth tells me he’s an expert.

Dad scoffs. “That will never happen.”

I bolt to my feet. “Dad!”

I spent my entire life preparing for this future. And now after one date, he’s disqualifying me? I don’t understand. Nothing makes sense.

Is this specifically because of Landon, or would he have reacted this way if I’d datedanyoneseriously?

“Baby Girl, you’re a kid.” Dad’s shoulders fall. “You don’t have the skills to run this town. You’re too easily manipulated and distracted. I thought you could handle it, but you can’t, so we’re fixing things.”

“The house is going to be perfect. Just like Mom wanted.”

“Your mother isn’t here. That house is…” He clears his throat. “You shouldn’t have let the council bully you into accepting the purchase.” Dad stands. “I know you all thought you were acting in the town’s best interests, but this resort isn’t our answer. Tourism will destroy our cultural heritage. Increased visibility drives crime, drugs, gangs. This town won’t be a safe place to raise our children if we invite outsiders to our doors.”

“No gang is moving into Rainwater Bay,” Jack says. “There’s nothing here.”

“Exactly. And that’s how we need to keep it.” Dad paces behind the chairs. “Folks, our traditions make us like family. We’ve forgotten that, but I promise to get us back on the correct footing. We’ll start by canceling building permits for the Reeves restoration project. Collin, Archer, I’m sorry we got your hopes up and wasted your time. Mr. Prince, your presence is no longer welcome. Goodbye.”

Landon’s chin ticks up with Dad’s dismissal. “Even if you shutter the project, I’m not leaving. I’m in love with your daughter, and if she’s here, so am I.”

My hand flies to my mouth. “You can’t mean that.”

Landon tugs my fingers free. “Why not?”

“One night?” I whisper. This isn’t the time or the place for this conversation. Declarations of love don’t happen over laminate conference tables with busybodies licking their chops to spread the gossip. But…love?

“I started falling the moment I saw you.” He kisses the inside of my wrist. “You’re mine. We’ll make this work.”

“I forbid it.” Dad’s face flashes red and sweat peppers his hairline. “My daughter isn’t property. She isn’t yours. She’s not going anywhere.” He grabs his arm and sinks to his knees. “I…forbid…” His eyes slam shut.

“Dad!” I fall on my knees next to him. “Dad, what’s wrong?” No, no, no, no, no, no.

“You can’t—” His face squeezes into a tight grimace, and his eyes roll into the back of his skull. He collapses to the dirty carpet

“Call an ambulance,” I scream at Elsbeth, but she just stands there, slack-jawed. I shake my dad’s shoulder. “Dad! Wake up! Dad!”

Landon presses his phone to his ear and speaks in a low voice. “They’re on their way.”

“Dad, I can’t lose you too. Wake up.”

But he doesn’t respond.

What have I done?

Chapter 21

Landon

Pine Ridge Medical Center’s waiting room is filled with nervous families. The grey walls host beige abstract art that does nothing to relieve the discomfort setting in.

I’m too restless to sit and have paced the twenty-by-thirty space three dozen times as I wait for Zoe to leave her dad’s side and update us on his condition.

I just want to see her face and wrap my arms around her. Then I’ll know everything is okay.