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“We’ll be building up the community, not destroying it.”

“The spring is a part of it!” Tammy said.

“And yet, it was on private land. No one used it.”

“I did,” I said. “I used it all the time.”

Our eyes finally met and his smirk made me feel slimy.

“Well, things change. That is prime land, and this can provide temporary jobs to you.”

“How many jobs?” Wren asked. “Do you plan to hire local?”

“For this, we have preferred builders⁠—”

“So where are the jobs?”

“We’ll be paying taxes.” His smile grew. “Which is what you all need. I’ve been to dozens of towns like this.”

“You’re destroying a spring to do it. You hounded a man who wasn’t going to sell,” I reminded him. “That’s not okay.”

The town grumbled in agreement.

“I did what any business would do.”

“This is a community. Not a business decision.”

“Everything is a business decision in the end.” The townsfolk exploded again. Kevin kept speaking. “Listen. The land is mine. This will happen when we’ve done what is legally required of us. There is no one coming to save you.”

“You’ll do it even though we obviously oppose it?” I asked.

“The mayor is on our side.”

Tammy turned to him. “You’re up for reelection, asshole.”

Toby put up his hands, clearly sweating Tammy’s words. “I want this to be aboveboard. That’s why I did this.”

I glared. None of this was aboveboard. None of this was right.

And I had to do something about it.

Gabriel walked in while I was angrily typing.

“Have you ever heard of knocking?” I snapped.

“You’re late.”

“I’m busy.”

“Doing what?”

“Handling things.”

He went quiet and I paused.

“Does this have to do with what’s pissed off the town?”

That finally got me to stop. “You know the town is upset?”