Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“You’re a fighter, Raven,” he says. “But remember, you’re also a survivor. You don’t always have to be on the offense.”
His words are sincere, but they irritate me. How can I not fight? Vinnie is gone, and I may never see him again. God knows what he’s doing in Colombia for his grandfather. My last attorney was murdered. My brothers have gotten in over their heads, and I’m getting texts warning that I’m in danger.
But damn it, I just beat cancer’s ass, and I’m going to get this nonprofit up and running. Beginning with the big gala in a couple weeks.
“I appreciate the sentiment, Jared.” I force a smile onto my face. “But I have to focus on something I believe in. If I don’t, I’ll be focusing on all the shit.”
Jared nods, his gaze intense. “Just remember you have people who care about you. People who want to help.”
I hear his words—I do—but they don’t sink in. It’s a familiar talk—the one where everyone subtly tries to convince me to step back, take a breather. But how can I? When there’s so much at stake?
Before I can answer, the ring of my cell gives me a welcome interruption. With a sigh, I walk over and pick it up.
“Hello?”
“Raven?”
“Yes, who is this please?”
“My name is Emily Bennett. I’m an attorney with Fox and Levinson in Austin. I got your name from your father. He says you’re looking for a nonprofit attorney.”
“Yes, hello. My previous attorney…”
“I know what happened,” she says. “I’m so sorry about his premature passing and all that you and your family have been through because of it.”
“We’re…dealing,” I say. “So my father called you?”
“Yes. I’ve worked closely with my colleagues on some of your father’s dealings when a charity is involved. He tells me you’re setting up a nonprofit for the benefit of blood cancer research?”
“Yes. All the initial paperwork has been filed, and I’ve got a gala scheduled next month to introduce the organization and help with funding.”
“But otherwise you have funding in place?”
“Yes. I’ll be handling the initial funding with my own assets and also with a donation from my sister, Robin.”
“And your father?”
“Why would he be involved?”
“I suppose he doesn’t have to be. I just assumed…”
I clear my throat. “You assumed because he’s the beneficiary of my grandmother’s estate, he’d be funding it.”
She pauses before responding sheepishly, “I suppose I did, yes.”
“I have a hefty trust fund that I’ve hardly touched. I don’t need any grand infusion from my father.”
“Good enough. The next step is to iron out the details of the organizational structure, finalize the board members, and draft all required policies and procedures. We also need to prepare for any potential legal issues that may arise in relation to your fundraising activities.”
“Okay, what’s our first step?”
“The first step is to review all the paperwork you’ve already filed. If you could email the copies to me by the end of the day, I can get on it immediately. Then we’ll set up a meeting early next week to go over everything. Will that be all right?”
“Can we meet today?” I ask, glancing at the clock on the kitchen wall.
“Well…sure. I suppose so.” Papers shuffle on the other end. “I have an opening at two this afternoon.”
“That works,” I say. “Should I come to your office?”
“Yes, that’d be best,” she says. “And bring any documents related to the nonprofit.”
“Sounds good. Thank you, Emily.”
“It’s my pleasure, Raven. I look forward to helping you with this noble cause.”
I end the call.
“So we’re traveling to Austin today?” Jared asks.
“How did you know?”
“I don’t know of any major nonprofit law firms around Summer Creek,” he says. “But are you sure you want to be out after that text you got?”
“Silly.” I shake my head. “That’s what you’re here for, Jared. What good is a bodyguard if all we do is stay home?”
Jared grins, showing off his white teeth. “You got me there, Raven.”
After I shower and dress, I gather all the paperwork Emily asked for while Jared makes some phone calls. Around noon, we hit the road in Jared’s black SUV. He keeps his eyes on the rearview mirror more than necessary, making sure we aren’t being followed.
“Should we be worried?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
“Better safe than sorry,” he replies.
Can’t argue with that.
We don’t talk much during the long drive, and though I normally don’t mind silence, today it reminds me of the nightmare I had last night.
I erase the blurred images from my mind and pull up a novel on my iPad.
As much as I try, though, I can’t get into it.
“Tell me about your life, Jared,” I say, breaking the silence to get my mind off negativity. “You said you were a Navy SEAL, but you didn’t work directly with Leif.”
“No, we were in different units. I served for eight years, did a couple of tours in Afghanistan—which is where I met Phoenix—and a few other places I’m not at liberty to discuss.”