Page 25 (1/2)

"What?"

"I have to drop you off at My Place for a little bit while I run out" She frantically pushed away catalogs, school bulletins, and Becca’s artwork and found her work folder Thank God "We have to go now!"

Her daughter ca frown "But we have to get ready for my recital!"

"We’ll have ti by and pick you up in an hour"

Becca gave a gruet sweet potato fries? And play darts?"

"Yes, anything you want" She grabbed Becca’s jacket and her own, then hurried into the car She dialed Raven’s nu it wouldn’t be a problem Raven adored Becca, as did the restaurant staff, and was always happy to babysit when Sydney was in trouble Raven’s voice came over the line "Raven? It’s Sydney Can I drop Becca off for a little while? A work thing caet a platter of the fries she loves ready Can’t wait"

"Thank you See you in five"

She hurried to My Place, dropped her daughter off, and drove like a bat out of hell to the granite place Slipping into work mode, she allowed herself a few seconds of quiet ings

Anthony greeted her ar her a puzzled look at her wardrobe, but at least he kept quiet The older man had a clean-shaven head, ruddy cheeks, and a nice belly that screa ability was legendary in Harrington Thank goodness he displayed pure loyalty to Pierce Brothers

His only proble to beat hio another five percent, Syd," he said with a worried expression "It’s not worth it"

She’d prepped for this battle and was ready "Anthony, I fought him on this, but it’s the only way to coer picture for Harrington For the first tier jobs We nail this, and you can pick and choose from projects you’ve never been able to bid on before"

She knew Anthony was a bit of an egotist when it came to his work Another reason he loved Pierce--they weren’t the type of builders who threw up cheap houses for cost "I don’t know"

"Then letover design plans, costs, and benefits Slowly he began nodding his head, beginning to grasp the bigger vision she’d been desperate to communicate

Then she went for her close

"Let ton whether ant hi in crappy chain distributors and put up cookie-cutter houses that will eventually insult both of our businesses This is a way to stop him without a feud On our ter spectacular happen But I’m afraid if you don’t bend on this final condition, we’ll not only be cut out but cut up"

Anthony tapped his finger against the papers, then slurped his coffee "Bastards," he grumbled

"I know So let’s do this our way"