“Refineries are getting antsy to push more oil here. I don’t think it’s necessary. We need to fully restructure. That means–”
“That means the potential for cleaner water and air.”
“Yes, over time.” I explained more as she came and sit on the sofa next to me. I handed her the file when she reached out. “It’s a long road. I want ports open to that throughout Florida though. This state and others need to go more green.”
“Why?” She narrowed her eyes at me. “You’ll lose partners and make enemies that way.”
“I intend to make allies on the other side though. I want to right what my father wronged.”
“Did he wrong all of us?”
“My father wasn’t a good man. He wronged everyone.”
“But my grandma–”
“She probably didn’t know.”
“My grandma wasn’t dumb,” Morina stated, her voice stronger than normal. “She would have done a lot, even if it was bad, to save this town.”
I nodded. I wouldn’t argue with her on that. I wouldn’t elaborate on her grandmother’s votes over the years either.
Cade had hacked into records enough to know her grandma had made deals with the Irish and then with my father over the years. She’d made some terrible votes, and I could only imagine they were because of her partnerships.
“So, I’m voting on what? Can I see the ports beforehand?”
I cleared my throat and thought that over while she folded her knees to her chest and pulled the sweatshirt over them.
“We have to be married first. Then, you get access to everything according to the will. We go to this gala. We put on the show. We get married in the next week. It needs to look real if we’re to maintain your protection. The media will cover us and other businessmen will look into you. Do you understand? This has to be the plan and it has to be executed right.”
Morina wriggled in her baggy sweatshirt, her eyes darting around like she was antsy with the whole thing. “Sure, sure. That sounds good.”
“It’ll be fine.”
“I’m just not used to it.” She cleared her throat and waved her hand in the air.
“I’ll help you get used to it, okay?” I knew my change in subject would calm her: “Want to go surfing now?”
“Can I?”
“If I go with you.”
Her eyes grew even wider. “You said you have to work today. Also, I just... I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come.”
Now, I was intrigued. “Not a good idea. Why not?”
She chuckled. “Well, you can’t surf, can you?”
“I’m sure I will catch on just fine.”
She laughed and laughed and then her smooth, brown legs slid out from under her sweatshirt. “Okay, Bastian. Let’s see.”
That was easier than I’d expected.For a woman not set on enjoying anything with anyone, she was suddenly fine with me coming along.
I did have to work. I had to call a few companies and attend a virtual meeting regarding my investments. Still, I could maneuver around them.
Today, I had to show a little girl that I knew how to swim. That’s all surfing really was. Swimming and balancing on a damn board.
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