Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“Don’t you have anyone looking at your portfolio for you? You should have someone going over your income/debt/retirement and investments now, Inez. It isn’t too late to get back on track and start pulling everything out of the fire fast.”
Inez shook her head. “I tried to do it myself, but I just look at the numbers and they look so dismal I’ve given up.”
“You don’t know me, but my firm has a good reputation. I’ll give you the name and number and you can look it up. Seriously, I’d like to help you,” Ambrielle said. “You shouldn’t have to worry about your retirement or anything else at this stage of the game. Master can look over my shoulder. He’s good with numbers too.”
Inez looked down at the table as Sabelia returned with several teapots and placed them in front of them, naming the various teas for them to try. When Sabelia left to retrieve the three-tiered trays of scones and sandwiches, Inez cleared her throat and then looked directly at Ambrie.
“I would have to look at what your firm charges before I agreed to hire you.” Her voice was tight with pride.
Before Ambrie could say anything, Anya spoke up. Her brows were drawn together in a little frown as she consulted with Lana. “Doesn’t Torpedo Ink still owe Inez a huge debt?”
Lana nodded. “That’s correct. Inez, you know the club owes you big-time. Ambrielle’s married to Master; that makes her Torpedo Ink. We all pool resources to pay down debt. She can help you out, and her time can take off part of what we owe you.” She made it sound like it was a done deal.
Inez gave a little shake of her head as Doris poured tea into her cup. “I’m sure you paid that debt off, Lana.”
“I know we didn’t, Inez. You don’t pay any attention when Czar talks money to you, do you?”
Ambrielle was suddenly certain Torpedo Ink didn’t owe Inez money, but it didn’t matter—they were going to convince her they did.
Inez looked a little embarrassed. She took an apricot scone and a strawberry one off the tray and put them on her plate. “Well, actually, no. I trust Czar. When the money’s right, he’ll let me know.”
“Then as soon as I can, I’ll look things over and see if I can straighten your finances out for you,” Ambrie said. She loved helping her clients, especially if they thought the task was impossible. Often, their financials appeared to be in such a mess, the task seemingly impossible, but then, unraveling the tangle one step at a time, she always managed to find a way to build retirement, pay down debt and even invest. Once she could invest, her clients made money.
Inez tried to look very sober, nodding her head. “That sounds good. I’ll have to talk to Jackson, just to be sure.”
“Jackson?” Ambrie’s eyebrow shot up. “The deputy sheriff? Is he related? Your son?”
Before Inez could answer, Doris chimed in. “Oh no, dear, but he may as well be. Jackson has always treated Inez as if she was his mother. They never admit it though. They just pretend they’re distant friends, but no one has believed it for years.”
Mama Anat nodded in agreement. “I haven’t lived here the number of years everyone else has, but even I know that.”
Lizz smiled at Inez. “I’m afraid your secret is well-known throughout the village.”
Inez sipped her tea. “It isn’t my secret. I tell the world I love that man. He’s very good to me. And not just me. He looks after Donny Ruttermyer, and Donna and the Dardens. Just like Savage does.”
“You’re such a saint, Savage,” Keys whispered overly loud. “Right up there with Jackson Deveau.”
“Shut the fuck up, Keys,” Savage snapped.
“Savage, language,” Mama Anat cautioned, her voice very gentle. “Keys, all of the boys have been helping lately. Master hasn’t been feeling good and yet he’s been out every day working on fixing Talia and Lars Barber’s home in Caspar. That huge tree fell on it after the storm. Lars can’t possibly repair the roof or bedroom. We bring food to them, or Alena does. I haven’t seen you there, and you’re amazing working at carpentry.”
Savage folded his arms across his chest and stared at Keys. Destroyer did the same. It was completely forbidden to lash out in any way at Mama Anat. The rule was unspoken, but everyone knew that not only was she Player’s grandmother-in-law, but Savage and Destroyer claimed her for their own. She might be sounding sweet, but she was calling Keys out, taking Savage’s back.
“Sorry, Mama Anat. I do plan to help out the Barbers. It’s been my week at the Caspar Market helping Zyah. By the time the store closes, it’s too dark to get to the Barbers’ and be of any use.”