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“So I’m learning. I’m able to accept my faults and being wrong, but I ask you not rub my nose in it.”

“That’s not my intent, especially if we’re going into business together. I simply want his family to stop hurting him. I might not be able to ever change my own, but—you know where I stand.”

“Yes, clearly with strong feelings for my brother,” she stated firmly, but moved on so I didn’t have a chance to counter her. “You also give discounts to first responders. You’ve gotten some flak for vampire discounts because you are one. You want to alleviate that because we’re wolves.”

“No, I could care less that people bitch that I’m a vampire giving vampire discounts,” I told her honestly. “I give them to EMS, law enforcement, and military because they get shit on the most like health care workers. What I can’t do is manage growth to the proposed level and not drop balls that are too important to drop.

“And I don’t manage the properties. I don’t have time to hire people and oversee them. It’s not even my field. It works as-is because it’s Atlanta and people know not to fuck with me in Atlanta. The same will not be true in other areas where people—hospitals and more—are begging me to do this. Youdohave the experience.”

And then I pointed in turn to the finance guy, the attorney, and his other mates to show the experience everyone else brought to the table.

“I feel like you just said I didn’t bring anything useful,” Ha-joon admitted… With an adorable pout.

I snickered but then realized he was serious. “Oh, darling, you’re the scary ass Alpha that will make people shake in their boots. You had people at ASH behaving better, and I know that wasn’t all of your power. You’re not egotistical and weren’t flexing. Now you’re going to do a bit of it and help.”

“I can be muscle as long as you think I’m hot muscle.”

Oddly enough his sister was the one who burst out laughing first.

“Talk turkey to us about numbers and how this works, love,” Russ, the money guy, pushed. He apologized when Ha-joon cleared his throat, making it clear that he wasn’t trying to steal me.

So I did. I knew the areas better, but once they were up to speed on the real estate markets and more, I would take input. I had the first six laid out in Boston where housing was desperately needed. So while they were making their moves in Florida with what their tip had already been, this would be the next step.

Because it was new construction which was what I knew.

Mostly because I also owned a construction company that no one knew about. It was vampires and a big one. The one we used for ASH and any improvements.

There would be two buildings built at the same time. I would pay for everything completely. When they were done, Ha-yun would take over. She would hire the managers and handle the part she knew. Once people started buying the condos, I would make my money back, but I would always retain one-third ownership. We would each get equal parts.

Well, I would, Ha-jun would, and the group of men would who formed their corporation. Each piece of the puzzle would have a third. Now, between them, they could figure out more because the attorney would clearly put in more time than Ha-joon would. That was up to them.

I was fronting all of the money and handling the construction side. Yes, I kept a third forever. They all brought something to the table though while Ha-joon really brought us all together.

Still, I knew he would be invested more than that and help. He’d figure out something and do some sort of outreach at hospitals and more—probably try to set up some sort of financing with banks for doctors or nurses to get special loans for the buildings. He wouldn’t just ride out and make money off our work.

He wasn’t the type. The man who came in withfourideas to make ASH better and didn’t care about the glory or credit wouldn’t abuse this sort of deal. Not in a million years.

Which was why I was willing to do this.

“Hurt your brother over this or screw him in any way and I will leave parts of you littered all over London in warning that someone truly protects him now no matter how much I like your mother,” I warned Ha-yun under my breath as I let her feel some of my power. “And you handle Byeol or I will, and she might not survive it which is what she deserves.”

She studied my eyes for a moment. “I believe you. I believe you love my brother and will absolutely kill for him.”

“Let’s not be romantic about this or go that far. I’mloyaland he deserves it. I also have a soft spot for people who have been fucked over by family, and no matter your background check on me, you don’t know the half of it to understand why.”

And I was very,verysure that was the moment I jinxed myself. I involved myself in something I really shouldn’t haveand my own ugly, ugly past came back from the caustic darkness to come for me.

Though honestly, it was only a matter of time.

14

Ellie

“I would have thought her much better looking in person after the way you talked her up, Kenneth,” a haughty female voice said from my left Tuesday morning.

I was about to turn to see who was such a bitch when I heard who responded and it froze me in my tracks.

“She’s put on some weight, but she can easily lose it with whatever diet plan you put her on,” he said dismissively. “Don’t try and play games and act like you have the upper hand or some card to play when we both know where we stand and the resumes of our children.”