Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires, 3)

“I’m sorry, Ms. Castillo.” Brady Kane’s lawyer apologizes for the second time today, although it does little to ease the burn in my throat.

This can’t be happening. I reach out for the kitchen counter to stabilize my wobbly legs.

Leo clears his throat, making the speaker beside my ear crackle. “I understand all of this must come as quite a shock, but I’m sure that Brady had your best intentions at heart. He spoke fondly of you during all of our discussions.”

The pressure building behind my temples intensifies despite me rubbing my temples. “It doesn’t feel that way.”

“If it’s any consolation, Callahan expressed a similar frustration during our conversation earlier.”

“Did he also mention how he wants to sell the house?”

“He did.”

My fingers clutching the counter turn white from the pressure. “What happens if I don’t want to sell it?”

“All decisions regarding the property must be mutually made. The only way Callahan can sell the property is if you agree and vice versa.”

I release a heavy breath. “Finally, some good news.”

Leo pauses for a moment before speaking up. “That being said…”

Oh no.

“If you insist on keeping the house despite Callahan’s interest in selling the property, then you will have to buy him out of his percentage of the house.”

Hijueputa.

After my phone call with the lawyer, I sent Delilah and Violet a message requesting an emergency girls’ night. Both of them arrive at my house that evening armed with snacks and skincare supplies like a little food and self-care can solve all my woes. Violet even went out of her way to get some Bon Bon Bums, my dentist’s archenemy and my favorite candy.

I run upstairs to check on Cami and make sure she is asleep. My heart squeezes at the sight of her sleeping soundly, her favorite stuffed lamb crushed beneath both of her arms. I still remember the social worker who gave it to her. Cami was only an infant, so she doesn’t remember, but I do. It was the same day I returned to Michigan with a baby in my arms and a new purpose in my life.

Before shutting off Cami’s light, I brush the hair out of her eyes and kiss her forehead. “Buenas noches, mi amorcito.”

I return to the living room, finding Violet and Delilah already settled into their usual sides of the huge sectional.

Violet plucks my favorite lollipop from the bag and throws it at me. “Here. To take the edge off.”

I rip off the wrapper and pop it into my mouth. “Thanks. I needed this.”

“Are you sure you don’t want any alcohol? I can make a liquor store run and be back in ten minutes.” Violet sifts through the bag of Bon Bons for her favorite flavor.

Delilah launches a pillow directly at Violet’s face, messing up her blond curls. “You know she doesn’t drink.”

I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in over ten years, ever since Cal went to rehab right before I turned eighteen. At first, it was to support him and his promise to remain sober. I never cared about drinking, and if not doing so helped him, I was all for it.

When he left six years ago, I tried to drink. I even went out and bought a bottle of the most expensive white wine I could find with every intention to break my pledge. To betray him like he did me. The plan seemed solid at the time, given the state of my emotions. Turns out I was so distraught, I didn’t even think about buying a corkscrew. My one and only attempt to drink was squashed quickly, and I vowed to never try again.

Violet huffs. “I was joking!”

Delilah’s brown eyes roll. “No wonder your stand-up comedy career tanked.”

“It’s not my fault no one in this town appreciated my brand of humor. The median age around here dates back to the Jurassic period.”

Delilah and I both break out into laughter. Lake Wisteria might lean more toward an older crowd, but there are plenty of young people living here now that the town has gained popularity amongst people from Chicago who are searching for an easier pace of life.

Delilah places a dark piece of hair behind her ear. “So, what’s the emergency meeting about?”

I give Delilah and Violet a basic rundown of the situation. They remain quiet, although there are different times when Violet’s hazel eyes widen or Delilah’s frown becomes more pronounced on her face.

Violet plucks the lollipop from her mouth to say, “Holy shit.”

“I know.”

“What are you going to do?” Delilah tucks her long tan legs underneath her.

“Isn’t that the million-dollar question?”

“Or two million, given how much this house is probably worth.” Violet gestures around the room with her half-eaten lollipop.

“You’re really thinking about selling it?” Delilah’s dark brows rise.

I drop on to the couch with a heavy sigh. “I don’t think I have much of a choice.”

Violet snorts. “Why? Because Malibu Ken said so?”

I shoot her a look. “He owns half the house, whether I like it or not.”

“But so do you.”

“That’s true, but Brady’s lawyer told me if I don’t want to sell, then I need to buy Cal out of his percentage.”

“That’s…” Delilah’s tan face pales.

“A million dollars?” My shoulders slump. “Even if I picked up a second job waiting tables or something, I would never be able to afford it.”

Violet snaps her fingers. “I’m sure Mitchell down at the bank would be willing to give you a loan.”

“After I turned him down for a date? No way.”

“What if the town pitched in—”

I stop her with a wave of my hand. “Absolutely not.”

The skin between Delilah’s eyebrows creases. “There’s got to be another way. Maybe some legal loophole that lets you keep the place regardless of who owns it.”

My chest aches. “There is none. I checked with the lawyer, and whether I like it or not, Cal is within his rights to sell the property.” No matter how much I love the house and the memories I’ve made here, there is nothing I can do to save it from being listed for sale.

A hint of a smile crosses Violet’s lips. “What if—”

“Oh, boy. Here we go.” Delilah grimaces.

Violet is known for her crazy plans and being the mastermind behind schemes that ended up with us in handcuffs once or twice. Sheriff Hank could never actually go through with arresting us because he felt the justice system was a slap on the wrist compared to our angry parents.

Violet clears her throat while throwing a pointed glare in Delilah’s direction. “What if you don’t end up selling the house?”

My brows furrow. “What do you mean?”

“You could set the list price so unreasonably high that no one in their right mind would be willing to buy it.” Violet’s hazel eyes glint, shining bright from the countless plans bouncing around her head. With her dirty blond curls and rounded, angelic features, no one would think twice about the little devil that lingers beneath her porcelain skin.

“That’s…” Delilah’s voice drifts off.

“Actually genius,” I finish for her.

Violet perks up.

Delilah looks over at me. “You know, Violet’s plan might actually work.”

Could it really? Part of me is afraid to hope it might, just in case Cal ruins the possibility of me keeping the house.

Better to try and fail than not to try at all.

I throw my hands in the air with defeat. “Screw it. It’s not like I have much else to lose.”