Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
I had to call in a favor to get myself a room here. There are a few houses that are on the market if push comes to shove, but the King of Thieves paid off this time, giving me a contract to use.
“You’ve booked past Valentine’s." She puts her elbow on the desk, leaning toward me, the expression on her face making it clear she wants to know everything about my love life.
She’d be rather disappointed. I’m sure as shit not going to tell her that Tinsley Blake is going to be my Valentine. I have quickly learned that Betty is a talker, and that would spread faster than Tinsley jumping to conclusions, at least about me.
“If I haven’t let my Valentine in on it, I can’t tell others.”
“Fine,” Betty relents reluctantly. "But this town can help. We're good at these things."
"I'll keep that in mind." I take the key off the desk.
"The bar closes at ten or when Jimbob gets bored. We have breakfast at nine if you want to join."
"Thanks." I give her a nod before taking the stairs next to the front desk.
The house is beautiful. The stairs wrap around with a landing with a giant window that gives you a view of the mountains. They don't make them this way anymore, and Betty has preserved the history of the inn.
My room is as nice as the rest of the house. A canopy bed with flowery wallpaper that coats the walls. There is a fireplace with a couple of chairs in front of it and a Christmas tree in front of the bay window that's been decorated with Valentine's ornaments.
There is a box next to the claw tub that has candles all around it. I flick it open to see rose petals inside. They do all this for Valentine’s, and she said it was nothing. I really do need to see Christmas here. If things work out as they should, I will.
I've gotten far in life because of my utter determination and often grit. It's not always about pushing through things; sometimes it's about holding on. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a challenge and even longer since something has piqued my interest, but this is more than a peek.
I’ve been restless, and my thoughts are ruled by a spitfire blonde with pink streaks in her hair and glitter freckles. I got as much of her as I could dig up to sate myself while I worked out getting here.
I might have sent my assistant Rory into a fit when I told her to clear my schedule. I can do most things remotely, and lately I haven’t been doing much of anything. There hasn't been a pitched investment in months that I've taken on. Nothing is sparking or holding my interest. That is besides her. My little spitfire has had all of my attention from the moment I laid eyes on her.
Investing in projects or businesses is what used to fill most of my days. It can be reminiscent of gambling, but you’re able to see everyone’s cards, and I’ve always been drawn to the underdog. The pitch that others overlooked. Not all people are good at selling themselves to me, but they don’t have much of a choice if they’re trying to get a project off the ground.
There have even been a few that I knew weren’t likely to make it, but the passion was there, and you can foster that. Just because you fall flat on your ass doesn’t mean you can’t come up with another idea. A better one.
That’s what I was searching for in people who entered my office. That spark inside them. You either have it or you don't. I have always been quite quick to spot it. I'm sure how I grew up played a role in that. You learned to read people; there wasn't another choice.
I haven't loved all my investments, but some were made through networking and a few favors. That's partly how I ended up investing in Biff’s latest project. A small group of us had been asked to invest to get it off the ground.
If people saw our names attached to them, others might invest too. That's my guess on why the King of Thieves had made such a request. It hadn't taken me long to see the house of cards Biff had built. I didn't understand why they were trying to protect him, but it's the wealthy protecting the wealthy or some shit. They protect their own. No matter how much money I have, I’ll always be considered an outsider to some degree.
My instincts have never really failed me. It’s how I so quickly knew Tinsley was the girl I wanted to make my own. I watched the fire light up in her eyes. It was a thing of beauty.