Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
I have no clue how he came by the information, but I had it by nine AM along with a warning. “Don’t do something that will get you arrested. I have to be in court this afternoon, so I won’t be able to bail you out until after that.”
I assured him I had no intention of starting anything, but that would only hold true as long as Nelson Madigan spoke about his ex-wife with respect during our conversation.
If not, then… well, no telling what would happen.
As I exit my car and start heading across the site to the main office building—one of those temporary-type trailers—I take in the activity around me. I find it interesting—almost serendipitous—that Nelson Madigan works in the same industry as me.
I stake financing into large real estate ventures, while Nelson’s company takes the money and builds. While I’ve never met him before, I do recognize his company’s name. It’s a pretty prominent and well-respected commercial building company, which has done work with Knight Investment Group in the past.
I’ve decided to use this “past history” to get all up in Hannah’s business and set her ex-husband straight.
After reaching the trailer, I bound up the four wooden steps and rap sharply on the door before I open it.
Three men are standing around a drafting table, studying blueprints. Their heads pop up when I enter and close the door behind me.
Their facial expressions transform, each recognizing me and seeming shocked to find Asher Knight, the man supplying the money for some of their projects in the past and potentially in the future, standing in their tin trailer office.
“I’m looking for Nelson Madigan,” I say to the group, my gaze moving back and forth among the men.
A man with slicked-back dark hair and a poor attempt at a goatee steps forward with a broad smile on his face, sticking his hand out. “That’s me, Mr. Knight. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise,” I say easily as we shake. Releasing him, I turn to the other two men. “Do you mind excusing us for a moment? I need to discuss something personal with Nelson.”
The men nod, giving me smiles as they make their way out. Once we’re alone, Nelson offers me coffee or water, but I decline.
“What can I do for you?” he asks with a level of excitement in his voice he just can’t contain. My presence here could mean important things for him.
I go ahead and dangle the carrot right off the bat. “I’m sure you’ve heard, but we’ll be closing on the Tyndall property in a few weeks.”
He nods, his tongue practically hanging out of his mouth. “It’s been the talk of Vegas. Everyone’s wondering what you’re going to do with it.”
“High-end retirement community,” I say blandly. “Residential and commercial opportunities.”
“Well, you know my company will be bidding,” he replies. “I’d love the opportunity to work with Knight Investment Group again.”
“The bid is yours if you don’t oppose your ex-wife’s request to obtain custody of your daughter. And I’m talking full custody, not partial. You can still have visitation, of course,” I add magnanimously.
Nelson’s face goes blank for a moment, his jaw dropping slightly. Then it flushes red as a small vein starts to pulse in his forehead. “What has that bitch done now? Has she gone to you with some fucking sob story to get you to lobby on her behalf? Because I can tell you, you can’t believe a word out of her mouth. She’s batshit crazy.”
“Careful now,” I warn, voice low and sounding dangerous even to my own cars. I take a step closer to him. “Your ex-wife is a very valued employee of mine and I like to help my employees, especially when they’re being bullied by dickless bastards like you who enjoy belittling women.”
“What—that—if she—” he stammers, clearly confused over this turn of events.
“Let’s face it,” I say calmly. “The only reason you wanted custody of your daughter was because it would hurt your ex-wife, who hurt you by leaving after you cheated on her. It’s all about your ego. I’m here to offer you a way out. I’ll give your company the bid—if it’s within reasonable standards—and you let Hannah have her daughter full time. You will also pay proper child support, and you’ll stop being an ass to her. Move on, Nelson. It’s pathetic you can’t let that shit go.”
Apparently, he’s not offended by my words, because he hasn’t heard one single bad thing I’ve said about him. Rather, he’s stuck on me guaranteeing him the bid on the Tyndall project. It’s worth millions, of course.
“You guarantee the bid to my company?” he asks suspiciously.
“As long as it’s within reasonable standards,” I reiterate.
The fuck spends no consideration whatsoever on whether he’d even like to keep his daughter. All he does is flash a cheesy smile and say, “Deal.”