Lana’s eyes narrow as she gives me a quick once-over. My skin heats when her gaze lingers on my arms, causing warmth to pool in my belly.
“I’ve seen better.” The skin on her nose scrunches.
“You’ve always been a shitty liar, Alana.” I tap the tip of mine to emphasize my point.
Lana and Cami’s eyes both widen at the same time. I pull out my wallet with a sigh and pass Cami another crisp bill.
Six hundred dollars poorer and you still haven’t learned your lesson.
“Are you in the habit of handing out hundred-dollar bills?” A single one of Lana’s brows rises.
“Only to persistent five-year-olds who don’t know how to count to a hundred.”
Lana shoots her daughter an indiscernible look. “What’s five times a hundred?”
“Five hundred!” Cami raises her fist full of money in the air.
That little shit…
“You were saying?” The corners of Lana’s lips lift into the smallest smile as she looks up at me. It’s the first one I’ve seen on her face since I showed up here, and it makes my stomach feel all light and bubbly, kind of like I just chugged a vodka seltzer in ten seconds or less.
I recognize the sensation instantly.
Hell no. Not going there. “I better get going.”
I don’t dare sneak one last peek at the two of them, although I sense Lana’s eyes burning a hole into my back as I get inside my car.
It’s not until I leave the lake house in my rearview mirror that I can finally breathe again.
The three-hour car ride back to Chicago was a blur. I called Leo’s assistant ahead of time to request an emergency meeting, and he was able to squeeze me into his schedule before lunch.
I fiddle with the top of my flask for the third time in the last twenty minutes. I’m about ready to call his assistant when the doors behind me open and the older lawyer strolls inside. Leo looks like he was stolen from the 1920s with his three-piece suit, feather fedora, and golden pocket watch. All the man needs is a cigar to complete his look.
“Callahan!” He pulls me into a bone-crushing hug. “What a nice surprise!”
“Really?” My hands stick out at my sides.
He takes a seat behind his desk. “Yes. I’ve been meaning to check in on you for some time now. How have you been?”
I consider giving a basic, nondescript answer but choose to be honest. “I’ve seen better days.”
His smile falls a fraction of an inch. “That’s a shame. I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help make it a little better?”
I sit up taller in the chair. “As a matter of fact, there is.”
“What do you need?”
“I have a couple questions about my grandfather’s will, and I’m hoping you can clear them up.”
He places his fedora on his desk and leans back in his chair. “Like what?”
“I need to know who owns the lake house.”
“Sure. I can answer that for you. Just give me a second to find the file.” Leo walks over to the wall of filing cabinets and opens a top drawer. My heart rate speeds up as he flips through various files of information before making a confirmatory noise.
He returns to his desk holding on to a file with my name on it.
“According to the deed, you do.”
My lungs deflate from my heavy exhale. “That’s a relief because the person currently living there believes my grandfather left the house to her.”
Leo clasps his hands in front of him. “Well, that’s the tricky thing.”
My stomach drops.
No. Tell me he didn’t.
Leo continues with a smile, as if he isn’t about to shatter my world and any chance I have at selling the place. “Based on the most recent deed, you’re listed as a co-owner of the house along with a Miss Alana Castillo.”
Fucking hell. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m never going to be able to sell that house so long as Lana owns part of it.”
“About that…”
I hold my hand up. “Let me guess. I can’t buy her out of her percentage.”
His grin doesn’t falter. “Correct.”
“Of course.”
“Your grandfather was very specific about how both you and Ms. Castillo must agree on all legal matters regarding the property.”
“What if she doesn’t want to sell?”
“Then I would recommend both of you obtain legal counsel.”
I don’t have time to spare on speaking with Declan’s legal team, let alone waiting for Lana to find some representation.
Great.
My molars grind together. “Any other surprises I should be aware of before I head back to Lake Wisteria?”
He flips through the file, scanning pages of legal documents. “I think you’re all set. Just remember that any interference from your brothers regarding the sale of the property could have serious repercussions.”
Every one of my muscles turns rigid beneath my shirt. “What kind of repercussions?”
He shuts the file with a tight smile. “I think you have enough to worry about given your task. No need to add to that by discussing worst-case situations.”
“Could I lose my shares?” I blurt out.
“Let’s not let it come to that, shall we?”
Fuck.
I take one last sip from my flask before tucking it inside the inner pocket of my suit and opening the door to Declan’s office. His panoramic view of the city is unmatched with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing for ample sunlight. As much as I hate the Kane Company building, the views of Chicago are unparalleled.
My brother sits behind his desk, smashing away at his keyboard with enough force to make it slide forward. “Go away, Todd. I’m busy.”
“Seriously? Tim has been working here for months already, and you still don’t know his name?”
My brother’s head snaps in my direction. “What are you doing here?”
“I came back to clear a few things up with the will.”
His dark brows inch closer together. “And?”
I take the seat opposite him, across from his desk. With a quick flick, I undo the button of my suit to give myself some breathing room. Every time I visit the Kane corporate office, it’s always the same. An oppressive pressure builds in my chest, forcing me to sip more from my flask than usual. The office reminds me of my failure to live up to my last name and the expectations set forth because of who my family is.
It doesn’t matter.
I tap my fingers against my thighs. “You and Rowan need to stay far away from my task.”
“What do you mean?” He leans back in his chair.
“When I stopped by Leo’s office for the updated deed, he dropped a cryptic comment.”
“What did he say exactly?”
I repeat my conversation with Leo.
Declan rises and begins pacing, wearing a hole in the carpet. “What could he mean by interference?”
“I don’t know. When I tried to ask if it had anything to do with my shares, he shut down.”
“Shit.”
“My thought exactly.” The only reason I’m not panicking is because of the steady stream of vodka pumping throughout my system, giving me a false sense of calm.