Page 9 of Knotted By my Pack

The car rental can wait. Time to meet the assistant mayor, who also is the chief officer for Land, Housing and Physical Planning.I just don’t get small towns.

The town hall is a squat brick building with a dated sign out front. Small, like everything else in this town. Inside, the walls are covered in old photos, framed certificates, and notices about community events. It smells faintly of paper and furniture polish.

At the front desk, a woman with glasses perched on the tip of her nose and a blouse one button away from respectable looks up. “Do you have an appointment?”

I set a fifty down on the counter. “Squeeze me in.”

Her lips press together, but she takes the bill, tucking it away before making a call. A few minutes later, she’s nodding toward the hallway. “This way.”

She leads me to a wood-paneled office where the assistant mayor sits behind a cluttered desk. He’s old but sturdy, with silver hair, thick hands, and the sharp eyes of someone who doesn’t miss much.

His suit is worn at the elbows, but the watch on his wrist says he knows the value of money.

He gestures to the chair across from him. “You must be the developer.”

“Julian Vance. Vance Real Estate.” I sit, adjusting my cuffs.

His gaze flicks to my watch, then my suit. I catch the subtle shift in posture. Respect. Wariness. I have his attention.

“I hear you’re looking to build something big.”

“A luxury resort. Beachfront villas. High-end retail. Think: Montauk meets Napa.” I pause, letting the image settle. “We’d be revitalizing the shoreline, creating jobs, and raising property values.”

He leans back, studying me. “Growth can be a good thing. As long as it benefits everyone.”

Translation:What’s in it for us?

I don’t smile, but my voice sounds warmer. “Of course. We’ll employ local contractors and vendors. Ten percent of units will be reserved for residents at cost. And there will be a tourism fund paid out annually to support town services, schools, infrastructure—whatever you need.”

That gets him. His fingers still on the desk.

“And the tax revenue,” I add, “is projected to triple within the first two years.”

“Sounds impressive. On paper.”

I nod. “Which is why I’m not asking you to take my word for it. I’m prepared to show you detailed projections, architectural renderings, and a full environmental impact study already underway. If it doesn’t serve the town, I don’t build. Simple as that.”

He’s quiet for a beat, then says, “We’re having a town hall this afternoon.”

“I heard.”

“If you want this to happen, that’s where it starts. Present your plans. Let people see the vision. If they push back, you’d better have answers.”

“I will.” I stand and extend my hand.

He takes it, grip firm. “This town is small. Slow to change. But get the people behind you, and you’ll be surprised how fast things move.”

I give him a nod. “I’m not here to make noise. I’m here to make history.”

As I step out into the sunlit street, one thing is clear: It doesn’t matter what it costs.

This resort is happening.

3

NOAH

The sun hangs low when Rowan finally calls it a day. Sweat clings to my skin, salt and sawdust mixing in the air as we step offHelene. She gleams under the fading light, freshly patched and ready for the water again.