Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“If this deal goes through, I’m willing to figure it out. Brad has offered for me to stay at his home until I find a New York residence.”
“Not a problem. You have four children. One college age. We’ll make sure you have a place that will accommodate your family,” Tasha says.
“Our partners who have children and travel a lot usually have a team of tutors and nannies. I’ll take care of that for you as well,” Val says.
“Cody will help with your New York team. He knows you, he knows my family, and he knows how I handle business. Any objections?” Lasalle asks.
I’m taken back at the mention of Cody’s name again. I think on this a bit. I’ve never resolved my issues with Billings face-to-face. However, I was wrong.
I’m not going to allow any of that to ruin this deal. I lost the woman on my own. I can’t blame Billings for that.
“No, that’s fine. I can work with that.”
“Good,” Tasha says with a smile. “Cody has become my assistant since … well, since our family has taken on a new role.
“He understands how to stand in the gap. My husband is who calls the shots, but I keep all the details in order, so to speak. Cody helps me with that. He’s a good friend to have in our organization,” she adds.
“Good to know.” I nod.
Lasalle looks over at Paige and nods. She pulls a stack of papers from her briefcase and hands them over to me. I take them and scan the top page.
“I’ve drafted the contracts with Brad listed as the signer. However, this is your deal, so you need to read it through and be sure you’re in agreement with the terms and conditions,” Paige says.
“As well as the terms I gave you,” Uri adds.
I nod and lick my lips. There’s no way I’m allowing Donna to mess this up for me. She’s taken enough from me and the kids. This is for them.
“You don’t have to rush. We’ll be here for a few months. The ladies have planned a retreat of sorts. Our associates and their wives and families will be joining us. For the next two months, Texas will be our home base.
“I would like to get to know you as a person while we’re here. I’m a fair man, so if you see something you want to discuss, come to me. We only do good business. Not business for the sake of business,” Lasalle says.
“I’ll look this over. I’ll let you know if anything comes up. You and your family are welcome out to the ranch. My cousin will show you around the stables,” I reply.
“Good, I will see you there this weekend,” Tasha says.
“Pam and I will come too,” Paige says.
“Sounds good. Do y’all know where you’re staying?”
“We’re renting the Billings hospitality ranch to accommodate our friends,” Tasha replies.
My phone buzzes with a text. I look down to see it’s from Donna. I lose the battle with the frown that comes to my face.
I can feel my face turning red. There goes my appetite. I’m so sick of this.
CHAPTER 4
Touchdown
Lynn
“Oh my God, oh my god. I can’t believe you’re here. I thought I would have to sell body parts to get you back here in Texas,” Maggie squeals as she pulls me into a hug.
“What are you doing here?” I say as I hug her back.
I reach to pull my scarf around my face as I glance around hoping no one notices me. We booked a commercial flight to fly in. This trip was such short notice we couldn’t fly private. I’m not at that level yet.
I don’t own my own private jet. For the jet-sharing service I use, I have to make arrangements ahead of time for travel. I couldn’t wait around for all the red tape. I needed to get here to my family.
I wasn’t expecting Maggie to meet me here at the airport. She took some time, needing to tend to her own family and affairs here in Texas. My other stylist, Giorgio, was able to step in for her.
I learned a long time ago it’s best to have two of everything. Assistants, stylists, drivers, the list goes on and on. Matthew is probably the only one I haven’t duplicated.
“Elise told me you guys were coming in. I dropped everything to greet you. Now come on with your “Not Gone Cry” looking self. Let me get you to your hotel so I can get you right. This look is giving me desperate widow vibes.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. I’m wearing dark shades and a black scarf over my head, so I totally get the reference. It’s late in the evening, but I still don’t want to draw attention or have anyone recognize me. If I can help it, I will enter Texas and leave back out without anyone being the wiser.