Page 21 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

Lainey stared at her reflection in the lobby window of City Hall. Who was that woman looking back at her? That woman looked tired, beaten down.

Is that me?

Her heart was pounding. But she couldn’t stand outside forever. She’d been asked—no, summoned—to speak to the town council about recent security concerns.

Today could make or break her. She’d dressed for battle. She’d pulled her hair into a loose twist. Wore her grandmother’s locket for courage, put on a beige structured blazer with trousers and a white top with a rounded neckline. Classic, simple. No nonsense.

She stepped into the council chamber. Five council members sat at a long, polished wood table that faced a podium, giving her pointed looks. Her stomach dropped. This wasn’t going to go well.

Although this wasn’t her first time here.

Not that long ago, she’d stood at that very podium presenting her proposal to revitalize the historic district.

It would be a private-public partnership with the town fast-tracking permits, a tax incentive, and in return, she’d invest her own money to redevelop a small portion of the district with the ability to focus on the rest if the council was satisfied.

It wasn’t a city job.

Nope, that ship had sailed in Charleston.

But it was still an incredible opportunity to secure her reputation in Haywood Lake.

She was grateful that her professor in urban planning saw her passion and ability.

He recommended her to a friend on the Haywood Lake Redevelopment Authority who approved her application and forwarded it to the town manager.

Inside, a couple of reporters filled the front row. Behind them, local business owners and a few concerned residents murmured in the audience. She spotted Gus in the back row, arms folded across his chest. Autumn was there, too, and several familiar faces: Naomi, Tessa and Emelia.

Finn and Caleb were sitting in the back with a serious, tall, blond-haired guy. That must be Chase. Finn said he might come today.

Councilwoman Dillard knocked three times with the gavel and called the meeting to order.

“We’re here today to discuss issues at the historic redevelopment project.” She scanned the audience. “Lainey Harper, would you come forward?”

Lainey got up from her seat, her palms sweaty, and took her place at the podium in front of the council.

“Ms. Harper, thank you for joining us on short notice,” Dillard said.

“Of course.”

“You’re here today as project manager for the Haywood Lake Redevelopment Initiative, correct?”

“Yes,” she said, surprised that her voice sounded strong even though her gut was anything but. “The proposal was approved by the council last fall with permits granted through Planning and Development.”

Dillard gave a tight nod. “Since your work began, we’ve received multiple incident reports at the project site. Vandalism and, most recently, a fire in a storage shed. It’s the council’s duty to assess the situation.”

Lainey’s fingers clenched the podium. “We’re taking everything very seriously. I’ve filed a report with the police. We’ve increased lighting and, as of this week, installed cameras and brought in private security to patrol the site overnight.”

At the far end of the table, Councilman Russo leaned forward.

Crap.

Lainey had previous encounters with him. He thought she was too young, too inexperienced to be running this project. “Security should have been a priority from day one,” he said. “You’re pouring your money into this, but what happens when you run dry?”

Lainey’s throat tightened. Didn’t blink. “I’ve planned for contingencies,” she said. “No one expected the vandalism, but I’m not walking away from something I believe in.”

Russo grunted like he didn’t buy it. “That sounds noble but reckless.”

Before she could respond, Councilwoman Bell cut in. “Ms. Harper, some of the surrounding businesses are concerned about the uptick in vandalism. Do you have a plan to address those concerns?”

Lainey nodded, thankful for the slight shift in tone. “Yes. We’ve limited overnight work and put up a security fence that will deter people from just walking into the project.” She took a deep breath. These were reasonable questions that thankfully she had answers for.

“Let’s talk financials,” Councilman Cho said, flipping through a packet in front of him. “Are your workers subcontracted under your license or hired independently?”

“They’re subcontracted under my license. Each subcontractor carries independent insurance, and I’ve verified all licenses,” Lainey replied. “I also have general liability and builder’s risk coverage for the site.”

Cho nodded once. “And you’re financing this personally?”

She nodded. “Yes. The contract’s structured around reimbursement at each completed milestone. So I cover upfront costs and submit documentation for review before funds are released.”

Cho paused, tapping his pen against the paper. “What happens if there’s a delay or something goes wrong? Are you carrying the loss until it’s resolved?”

“That’s the agreement,” Lainey replied. “I knew the terms going in.”

And she had.

She’d known exactly what she was getting into, the timeline, the budget, the risks. She just hadn’t planned on the vandalism.

Lainey looked at the members of the council, who were busy scribbling notes. Her legs felt weak, and she hoped she was almost finished. Passing out was not an option.

Then Councilwoman Rosa Delgado leaned in. “This is your first project in Haywood Lake, right?”

“Yes. First time renovating one this size.”

Rosa nodded. “Why here?”

Lainey hesitated.

Sure, she had an answer. But it wasn’t something she was willing to share, and especially not in a room full of strangers.

“I was looking for a small project that felt like it was worth the risk,” she said.

“Haywood Lake is a wonderful town with a lot of character. But I’ve seen what happens when empty buildings get written off.

People start to believe they don’t matter.

I see the potential and beauty that I want to bring back to life. ”

“Thank you,” Delgado said.

Dillard cleared her throat. “We’ll be issuing a letter of formal concern to be kept on file with the town’s redevelopment board. Please submit an updated site plan and safety outline by the end of the week.”

“Understood,” Lainey said.

She turned to leave.

“Ms. Harper, just a minute,” Russo said. “Off the record, Ms. Harper. Has anyone offered to buy you out yet?”

“No.”

He nodded slowly. “Just a note,” he said. “People don’t vandalize what they don’t want.”

Lainey stepped into the hallway, the heavy door thudding behind her. The tension left her body slowly.

And then she spotted them.

Finn, Gus, Autumn, the women who showed up. They looked up as one when the door opened.

They came for her.

To support her. She blinked furiously. She would not cry.

She would not cry.

She straightened her spine and gave them a smile she hoped looked real.

“Hey,” she managed.

Finn stepped forward first. “You okay?” he asked, voice low.

She nodded. Swallowed hard. “Yeah. I will be.”

Gus grunted behind them. “Held your own in there.”

Autumn gave her a small smile. “Made Russo look like a smug weasel. So, high five to you … success.”

Lainey laughed.

The other women moved closer, each giving her a hug. “You did great,” said Naomi.

A tear fell before she could stop it. But no one said a word as she wiped it away. She wasn’t alone.

Not anymore.