We employed hundreds of people, and a stop-work affected everybody. We’d still pay them out. They had a thirty-day guarantee in their contracts for just this sort of hiccup. But if we didn’t get it resolved soon, they’d be unemployed and we’d be out millions of dollars. Not to mention the hit to our company’s reputation.
“Figure it out,” I growled, shoving the notices back at him. “And fix this.”
“What are you gonna do?” Jameson asked.
“I’m talking to the guys, then I’m heading to the office to put in a few calls. Then I’m going home, I guess. If you need me, call me. Immediately.”
He nodded, clapping me on the back before walking toward the parking lot.
I blew out a sigh and looked back at the crew. What a fucking nightmare. Locating the foreman, I headed over to him. He was in conversation with a small group of men, and I walked slowly, wanting to allow them to continue. This wasn’t their fault. The fact that they were still even on site showed a work ethic that made me proud of them. Technically, they should have vacated as soon as they knew about the stop-order.
“So, the waiter brings over the champagne, and there’s a fucking ring in it!” one of the crew was saying as I approached. “I couldn’t believe it. Before I could say anything, Mel just screams yes at me. Then she’s on her phone, calling her mom.”
“You just let her think you were proposing?” another man asked.
“What was I gonna do? She had this massive ring on her hand, and she was all excited. Man, I’m so fucked.”
Oh. My. God.
It was Mark. The kid I’d accidentally pushed into a proposal at the Eiffel Tower restaurant the night before. Fuck. Could this day get any worse?
“Mr. Malloy,” Mark said, noticing me. “Sorry, sir, me and the guys were just talking. I’m sure you want Doug.” He pointed at the foreman, who’d turned to face me. “We’ll just be…over there.”
I nodded, smiling grimly as they walked off to give us privacy.
“What do you want us to do?” Doug asked bluntly. “We’ll stay, but I can’t let the guys work right now.”
“No, no, of course not. I’m not risking any of your licenses getting pulled. This is our mess, and we’ll get it fixed. I promise you.” I sighed and looked over at the rest of the crew. “They okay?”
“Oh, yeah.” Doug made a dismissive gesture. “It’s not the first time we’ve run into this. Those permit committees pull this shit all the time. You’re a good family. You’ll fix it, and we’ll be back before you know it.”
“Thanks, Doug.” I reached out to shake his hand. “Send your boys home. I’ll be in touch. Make sure they know wages are covered.”
“No problem.” He nodded then headed over to dismiss his guys.
I glanced around the site and kicked a rock with the toe of my shoe. I was pissed. Doug might think it happens all the time, but it had never happened to us. Our company was meticulous, and we didn’t let these things affect us or our crews.
My phone chirped, and I looked down to see a message from Jameson.
It was Willow.
Jesus Christ. Willow Tate and my brother had been at each other’s throats since kindergarten. Honestly, I thought they were secretly crazy for one another but both too chicken to admit it.
She worked for another development firm that built strip malls. If she was able to get our permits revoked, her boss must have pulled a million strings. Vegas made way more off casinos than shopping centers. He must have called in every favor he’d ever gotten to pull off something like this.
Can you fix it? I texted back.
His reply came immediately. It’s being handled. Give me a few days.
I fucking hoped so. This was a nightmare.
Instead of going into the office, where I’d just be bombarded with questions I couldn’t answer, I got back in my car and headed home.
I heard music as soon as I got off the elevator. When I let myself in, I leaned against the hallway wall and watched Laura as she danced around the room. She’d gotten dressed, more’s the pity, but her tight jeans highlighted her pert little ass as her hips swayed to the pop song she was blaring.
“Honey, I’m home,” I called out.
She jumped, spinning around as her hand went to her heart. “Jesus, Luke, you nearly gave me a heart attack.”
I walked over and pulled her into my arms, kissing her deeply.
“I’m sorry,” I said, leaning back to look into her eyes. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She pulled away and turned off the speaker. “You’re back early. I wasn’t expecting you for hours.”
“Yeah, well, there’s a problem at the site, so they had to shut down. Jameson is working on it.”
“That’s your youngest brother?” she asked.
“Yeah. He’s kind of a goof, but if he says he’ll get it taken care of, I think he really will.” I pulled her back into me. “But for now, it looks like you’re stuck with me.”
“Lucky, lucky me,” she murmured, going up on tiptoes to kiss me. “Whatever shall we do with ourselves?”
God, I was so in love with this woman. I knew I’d never tire of coming home to her. Of kissing her. Of holding her in my arms. I wanted her forever, and I needed that forever to start as soon as possible.
I knew I couldn’t ask her yet. But before the end of this week, I was damn sure that Laura Moretti was going to be Laura Malloy for the rest of her life.
Her stomach grumbled, and she giggled as her cheeks turned pink.
“Well, I suppose I’d better feed you,” I said with a mock sigh.
“Sorry, I went online when you left, and then
