When I finally had the supplies, dark clouds had already rolled in and the wind was chilling. This storm was going to be a sucker, but between the boys and me, we’d manage to secure the entire front yard before the downpour began.
The space in front of Val’s gate was emptier than I’d expected it. Val was probably at the office, but when I’d left yesterday, Lori’s car was in the drive too. I remembered on the spot Milo telling me they were going to the festival on Venice Beach today, and they’d be leaving at eight. But then I realized what else was wrong with the picture in front of me. Only Jacob had arrived to work, and he wasn’t working. He was leaning against his car... waiting. A familiar dread knotted in my stomach. This was not happening. Not today, when there was a storm rolling in. I was instantly jolted awake. I climbed out of my car.
“Hey, Jacob! Where’s Sevi?”
He looked at me apologetically. Crap, crap, crap. I knew what was coming.
“Sorry, Maddie, we got an offer yesterday. Today’s the first day of work. Sevi’s already there. I just wanted to tell you in person.”
This was the part of my business I hated. People just up and leaving because a newer, bigger, better construction site needed workers. I was pissed to no end, but I fought to remain calm.
“Jacob, be reasonable. You can’t quit midproject. I pay you the market price.”
He shrugged. “This project’s bigger, Maddie. Will last until the end of the year.”
“Stay today, so we can secure the yard before the storm comes in.” I couldn’t keep my voice down any longer. It was the last day of June, and I’d already paid them for this month, so I didn’t have anything to hold over his head.
“Can’t, Maddie, I’m so sorry. We start today. I have to be there so they don’t give the job to someone else.”
He gave me another shrug, then climbed into his car and drove away. I wanted to scream, and kick, and maybe even cry a little. Why were people so undependable? There was no way I could find someone to help me secure the yard before the storm kicked in. With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and started posting job offers in all the groups I knew. This would only get me temporary workers for next week, but they’d have to do until I found permanent replacements for Jacob and Sevi. There was a real possibility I’d complete this project late, and I hated that. I knew Val wouldn’t mind, but I liked keeping my word, meeting my deadlines. It was why I’d made it this far.
There was only one thing to do.
I had to kick ass, and pronto.
Chapter Nine
Landon
Venice Beach was exactly as I remembered it, bustling with people. The festival was organized along the promenade, and the vendor booths with wooden toys looked at odds with the palm trees and the people carrying surfboards or cocktails. Will was meeting us here too.
“If we hurry, we’ll be able to stop by every booth before the storm starts,” Lori said. “I can’t believe it. A storm.”
She looped an arm through mine as we walked straight into the madness, Milo bouncing from one booth to the other.
“I forgot what it was like to walk with you,” Lori said with a chuckle. “I feel like we’re in a parade. I caught ten women checking you out. And that’s with me on your arm. They don’t know I’m your sister.”
“I thought you wanted me to date?”
“Oh, I do. But here’s a tip for survival. If a woman’s lips look as if they were sucked off with a faucet, or she keeps checking her phone and looking at you, run in the other direction. Many would like to nab a tech mogul. Your net worth is more than anyone’s whose handprints lie on the Walk of Fame. Your face has been on enough magazines to be recognizable. But don’t worry, I have your back.”
“I’m the oldest brother. That’s not your task.”
Lori scoffed, scooting tighter to me. “Just reminding you how to play your cards in our dear City of Angels. You don’t have a ring on your finger to keep the sharks at bay.”
Even when I was a married man, a ring never deterred those who were out to catch a big fish, but I’d never been interested. I wasn’t now either. My mind was on Maddie.
Will joined us fifteen minutes later, clasping a hand on my shoul
der.
“Seriously? You have to boast that badge wherever you go?” Lori challenged. “You’re off duty.”
“The badge comes with advantages. People think twice before trying any funny business.”
Lori’s gaze followed Milo from one booth to the other, and then she looped her other arm around Will’s. Some days I still couldn’t believe Will was part of the police force. It had come as a complete shock when he’d announced his career choice. Growing up, he’d had a healthy disregard for rules, even a few encounters with the police. Talk about contradictions. Val had cracked so many jokes about police officers when he told us that I knew for sure something was off. The moment he’d left, she’d started sobbing.
“He’s going to have a gun. He’s going to be around bad guys. What if something happens to him?”