11. Zander

Chapter eleven

Zander

M y foreman, Jenkins, met me at our small office in town, and we discussed the new build in Spartanburg. I sketched something up for the Pavilion at Killy’s, and he let me know there were a few members of MacLaden Pride on the crew— new hires who’d be glad to work on something for the Pride. We had a workaround for permits in Banthard. Those came from Barnham at the moment, but after this, they’d come from Sophie, Killy’s First.

Jenkins let me know Sophie had talked to Barnham about the Pride members living in tents and asked why the business would go to Fowler’s Construction. He gave me Sophie’s number, and she answered on the first ring. I put it on speaker so Jenkins could listen.

“Zander, hello. What can I do for you?” Sophie asked.

“Just wondering about the homes for the Pride members living in tents,” I said.

“Ah. Fowler has three builds, small ones completed, but you and I know there are more out there. Now, I was thinking, if you could do the rest, we could have a little subdivision out there. Just had to discuss it with Killy first. Fowler also does commercial, so they’ll do the hotel.”

“This makes sense,” I said, smiling at Jenkins, who was relieved.

“We need to work together on this,” Sophie said. “We aren’t cutting anyone out of business. It’s been a crazy day. I was going to let you know in the morning after I found out which homes Briar wanted to put out there. Is that land on high enough ground it won’t flood? Barnham said so, but I wanted a second opinion.”

“It is,” Jenkins said, clearing his throat. “Miss Sophie, I’m Zander’s foreman.”

“Hello! It’s nice to meet you! I’m going to set up a meeting with Briar and will get back to you with the date and time? I feel like we should discuss it together to get things going,” Sophie said.

“Perfect,” I said. “Let us know.”

“Will do.” The call ended, and I looked at Jenkins.

“What are you thinkin’?” I asked.

“Not sure. They want a hotel out there, which means more business for the Pride. It’s a good idea. We need a grocery store, too. A gas station,” he nodded. “When does the new King want the Pavilion done?”

“As soon as possible,” I said. “Then he can talk to the Pride, and they can break bread together.”

“Good start to his reign,” Jenkins nodded. “I’ll go after this meeting and get supplies.”

“Then, I’ll see you in the morning,” I smiled, and he nodded.

I drove home, hoping Killy could do business with me and our relationship wasn’t a conflict of interest. I didn’t want to give him up just to have the business.

Was that selfish?

No, it’s not selfish, Crow thought. We’ve waited a long time for a mate. The gods were sneaky with the blood contract to get us here, and the one we signed said King of MacLaden Pride. There wasn’t a name on it.

Axl and the other Donadieu boys hadn’t been thought of when the Gods Council promised me a mate. I’d almost given up when Axl came along until I met him—even tried to save him from his fate. Axl had understood his duty better than I. His job was to take out Ezra DesChamps Masters, the next High Priest for the Masters Coven. He’d done it in a roundabout way— a messy and costly way.

What if the gods wanted Killy to be King in the first place? Crow asked. What if they left Killy’s name off the contract because they were also working to eliminate our enemy, and we had to be the endgame and not the beginning?

Crow always made sense.

I thought about that as I showered and changed. Killy did need to know the truth. We needed to have that conversation before anything else, no matter how badly I wanted to feel his hands on my skin or his hot breath on my neck. That thought led me down another path. Could I deal with not seeing his future? With not being able to change his path and keep him safe? I couldn’t answer the question.

I should cancel, I thought.

Talk to him first, Crow replied.