Page 16 of A Veteran's Protection
I slip the notebook back into the drawer and cross to the window. A black Audi with dark windows has pulled up next toAiden’s SUV. The car doors open, and two men in identical black suits step out.
“Maybe the lawyer’s meeting was here?”
Aiden shakes his head. “That’s not Mark’s car.”
He moves toward the door, and I follow him down the stairs, wondering who the hell is coming onto my land.
9
AIDEN
“Stay behind me,” I tell Lexi as we emerge into the courtyard.
The men are in identical suits, and one of them carries a briefcase. I thought they’d gone out of style, but there’s nothing old about the slick black leather and shiny fastenings.
“Good afternoon.” The passenger of the vehicle steps forward and holds out a hand, his smile as slick as his associate’s briefcase. “I’m Victor Ridgeway, and this is Karl Black.”
The offered hand and slick smile are for me. They haven’t acknowledged Lexi, which is fine by me. I step forward and in front of her.
I don’t take the offered hand. They’re trespassing on my girl’s land, and until I know why, we aren’t playing nice.
“What do you want?”
The smile falters, but only for a moment. Victor pulls back his hand and slips it into his pocket.
I tense, ready for whatever he’s going to pull out, but it’s only a business card.
“We’re from Ridgeway and Thorn, legal counsel, and we’re here on behalf of our client.”
“Who’s your client?”
I’m asking the questions so Lexi doesn’t have to. She stays behind me, and I’m glad she’s doing what she’s told. I’ll reward her for that later, but for now, my focus is on the suits and what they’re doing on her land. I’m sure this is the same car I’ve seen parked here from time to time.
“I’m not at liberty to reveal that information.” If Victor’s smooth voice is supposed to reassure me, it’s doing the opposite. No one who hides behind their lawyer is up to anything good.
“What do you want?” I repeat the question, letting an edge seep into my voice.
Getting the message, Victor pockets the business card.
“We’re here to speak to Alexandra Gibbs.”
For the first time, he looks past me, and I shift to block Lexi from them. I’m about to say there’s no one here by that name when Lexi steps forward.
“That’s me.”
I turn slowly to face her. I know what this woman tastes like, I know she’s my future wife, but I didn’t, until now, know her full name.
She glances at me, uncertain. She’s as baffled as I am about the guys in the suits. I take her hand and squeeze, letting her know, whatever this is, she’s not in it alone.
Victor turns his smile on Lexi, making me want to punch him in the face. I restrain myself, but my fists are clenched and at the ready.
“I understand you recently inherited this property.”
“That’s right,” Lexi says.
“My client would like to buy it off you. He’s happy to take it off your hands at the market price.”
I tense. This is what Lexi wants; a quick sale. Even if the suits are giving off weird vibes.
