Page 120 of Remnants
“No, let’s do it now.” I'm going to continue managing the Guild as if the world isn’t on fire around us because when this fight with GE is over, we’ll still be here and have a business to run.
She nods, then lets in the two she had waiting in the hall. I take that time to shove the issues from Charles out of my mind so I can focus on regular Guild maintenance. I won’t let other things fall behind because of him.
Cibrina begins, “The fight last night resulted in twenty-two hundred in damages, which I’ve split by the responsible members and added to their rent. We’ll have to source a new furniture store, Ithink, which sells higher quality, solid wood tables that won’t break so easily.”
Money many of them won’t be able to afford next month, but I put that aside. I’m less concerned with the tables. I would rather have breakable furniture than broken and injured Guild members.
“I presume you’ve already researched alternatives?”
She smiles, and the younger woman, who is a step behind her and to the side, titters. Cibrina hands me a file. “They’re sorted by least to most expensive options, with images and their qualities for comparison on each.”
I flip it open and scan the first and second pages. “While I appreciate your thoroughness, how have you had time to compile this in only twenty-four hours?”
Cibrina motions to the girl beside her, encouraging her to step forward. “Penn, here, did most of the work.”
Ah. One of her new assistants. Penn practically preens when Cibrina’s attention is on her, smoothing her already tidy black hair and straightening her glasses with a proud smile. Which means the male on her other side…
“…And this is Quinn. He’s been helping stay on top of member requests or issues, building maintenance, and working with Miranda on the kitchen and bar stock.”
Quinn bows his head in greeting but appears far more serious than Penn. His black hair is styled back, his skin a deep olive shade and his eyes a dark brown. He’s wearing a neat and pressed suit, while Penn is wearing a sheath dress that looks oddly like something Cibrina might wear…if she was a foot shorter.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” I reply, nodding to each of them in turn before returning my attention to Cibrina. “I’m glad you have help. I’ll look these over and give you a decision tomorrow. Is there anything else?”
Cibrina looks to Quinn, who steps forward and offers a stack of files. “Here is the meal plan menu for the next month, as well as the required shopping list of items. There’s also a report of the maintenance tasks completed this month for member apartments, as well as the Guild’s main areas. We’ll need to look at replacing or upgrading our water heaters in the next couple of months, so I have a list of options and what deals we could get if we order them by a specific date…”
Quinn continues to summarize each file, then steps back for Penn to add her stack and rundown. Cibrina finishes it off with some items I can answer immediately and then the ones that require review.
A glance at the clock on the wall reveals it’s already after nine in the evening.
“Thank you for your hard work, as always,” I say—my sign of dismissal. They leave the room, while I stare at the paperwork. Dane’s tried convincing me to have all this done electronically, but I keep better track of these things in their designated folders and either signing off on or rejecting them there before returning them. I’m afraid I’d lose track of so much if they were all emails.
One day, I’ll suck it up and convert.
But it won’t be tonight.
I start by organizing the files by order of priority, which takessome time. The rest of my evening is spent working through one file at a time, adding my notes and decisions before sliding it into the growing pile of completed work.
By the time the words blur together, and my third cup of coffee is empty, I call it a night.
I’ve barely made it through ten percent.
Sighing, I pocket my phone and head for the Loft, trying not to fall asleep in the elevator on the way. It’s just after three in the morning. I’ll get a couple hours of sleep, then keep going.
The Loft is quiet when I enter and remove my shoes. The balcony door is cracked open, and Jack is sitting on the railing. He and I are alike when it comes to sleep. I don’t have the time for it, and he has trouble sleeping at all. Not unless Raegan’s with him. On his own, he’s almost always moving around, thrashing in the sheets until either he or they wind up on the floor. But when Raegan’s with him, he hardly moves. Like her presence calms whatever demons haunt his dreams.
He gives me a two-finger wave when he sees me, then returns to his watch over the city. I head straight for my room, showering and removing the stress from the day under a hot spray beating into my muscles. Once I’ve pulled on a pair of sweatpants, I seekherout.
I’ve passed the point of caring that it’s selfish of me to do this.
They see her all day.
If I have to steal her from them to get my time in, then so be it.
She’s sleeping in Kellan’s bed tonight, so it’s easy to scoop her sleeping form into my arms and bring her to my bed without his notice. Raegan doesn’t stir, perfectly content to mold her bodyagainst mine once we’re both under the sheets.
I wrap my arm around her, pulling her into my chest. She nuzzles her face closer, and my heart catches fire. I’m sure I feel plenty of things during the day, but I can’t remember any of them when I’m with her. When the sight of her, the feel of her, puts my heart on steroids and pumps my veins with so many emotions that I can hardly pick one out to name it.
I’ve never felt so alive…soexposed…as I do with her.
