Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 78(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 52(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 78(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 52(@300wpm)
I don’t even want to imagine all the lengths they’ve gone through to ‘convince’ Olivia to sign. If I find out any of them crossed a line, I might just fly back tonight and make them swallow their teeth.
I am always the company’s last resort. I am who my brother sends when it’s time to bring in the big guns—namely, me. My methods aren’t always aboveboard, and bullying and intimidation are never beyond me. It’s a tested and proven method, with me getting what I want every single time.
It’s something I also refuse to do to Olivia. Which makes me a hypocrite. Sue me.
Her rosy lips tremble slightly, and it’s enough to make me stiffen. We’re not close enough, but I’ve always been exceptional at noticing the slightest change in demeanor with whoever I’m negotiating with.
And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that Olivia’s close to her breaking point. One wrong word and this façade of strength will crumble down. Those eyes shining with unshed tears will spill over her cheeks.
Fuck. Why does my chest feel funny? Why does my head pound at the mere thought of doing what she doesn’t want me to? I’ve never felt this way ever, not when I’m facing both helpless and ruthless opponents.
Maybe because Olivia is neither, and I find that I want to do everything in my power to protect her from being hurt. Even if that’s what my brother specifically sent me here to do—acquire their property at all costs.
Clearing my throat, I shove my hands into my pockets to stop myself from reaching out and comforting her when my very presence is the one making her upset. “Listen, Miss Lang. How about this? I would like a seven-day tour around the island, with you as my guide of course. I’ll even pay you for your time.”
Olivia exchanges a confused glance with her mother and a small girl with similar features to both of them. When Olivia turns to face me, she tilts her head to the side, eyeing me up and down, her face morphing from fury to suspicion. “Why?”
I give her a shrug. “Because I want to understand why you won’t give it up. I want to understand why you turned down an offer that most people would readily agree to.” For half a second, I let my gaze drop to her full lips, wondering if it’s as pillowy soft as it looks. “If you can convince me, I’ll leave you alone and find another way to make do with the patch of land we do own.”
“I don’t need to convince you of anything. This is ours. You want to buy it. I said no. End of story.”
“True, but with my brother as the head of this project, I cannot promise you he won’t send another one in my stead if I don’t at least make a great case for leaving you alone.”
Even as the words leave my mouth, I’m shocked at myself. I had files of all the residents who refused to sell, and I brainstormed for ten hours until I came up with a game plan. It was solid, foolproof, and guaranteed to get me the results I needed.
But apparently, one look at Olivia and all those plans disintegrate into dust.
She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, a faraway look in her eyes. I can almost see the gears turning in her head. She has zero reason to trust me, and I honestly can’t blame her.
I came here with one purpose, but it’s like something shifted in me, pushing me toward a new and entirely different goal—make her mine. How I’m gonna do that, I have no idea. Gunning down a different road than where I originally planned is giving me a whiplash.
“Okay, I’ll do it.” Olivia’s voice is hard when she finally returns her gaze to me, and my God, I can drown in those depths. Those twin orbs make me think of warm honey, and that’s exactly how it feels staring at her—like the radiating sun seeps into my veins.
“You have a deal.” I extend a hand to her, but she puts her hands behind her and raises her chin again.
“Not so fast. I just feel the need to warn you in advance.” Her forehead furrows, the sides of her mouth curling downward. “If you try anything funny, just be aware that I know 101 ways to kill you and no one would ever find out.”
“Olivia!” Her mom covers her mouth with her palms, and she shakes her head. “Don’t go too far.”
Olivia doesn’t break eye contact with me even as she addresses her. “It’s fine, Mom. He should know better than to think I’d go down without a fight. My father taught me how to fight men like you. I can scratch your eyeballs in the second it takes for you to blink.”