the construction arm of the real estate development company he and his brothers had started. His business was the only portion of the company that his father had a vested interest in. Xander and Dimitri had put up the capital for the development company and allowed him and his little brother Elias to buy in when they were able. Not that they had to buy in, but both of them wanted to have a vested interest in the company. One of the few good traits their father had instilled in them. After this job, he’d be able to pay out his old man and buy into Champion Land Development Corporation. The name was a nod to Dimitri, who’d just won his fourth motocross championship when they formed the business. He sent his gaze over the undeveloped ground. So much work to do. A smile split his face. God, he loved it.
His phone buzzed in his pocket again. He groaned but pulled it out anyway. The smile returned. “Hey, what’s up?”
His brother Xander’s voice came through the connection, “I have been informed by Mrs. King that they will be throwing Ryker a surprise birthday party tomorrow night. I, of course, told her that you and I would be there. I couldn’t speak for Elias or Dimitri.”
“Can’t do it. I’m busy.” He wasn’t, but he was going to yank Xander’s chain anyway.
There was silence on the other end, and he could just see his brother rubbing his forehead. “Seriously?”
“No. But I thought we agreed that you wouldn’t make social engagements for me anymore.”
Xander chuckled. “I will admit I don’t have matchmaking skills.”
Killian snorted. The date Xander had set him up on was a freaking disaster from minute one. “You can say that again.”
Xander’s rich, rolling laugh preceded him repeating, “I don’t have matchmaking skills.”
Killian punctuated the statement with, “And never forget it. I have no idea how you thought I’d be happy with that… princess. I like my women real. The type that wears tennis shoes and jeans, not the ones with heels and have long claws painted blood red.”
“Yes, dear brother, I have that description committed to memory. I thought Deborah and you would click because of your love of architecture.”
“She likes modern, cutting edge design. Have you seen my brownstone? It is the exact opposite of those glass and chrome monstrosities.” A sigh from the other end of the phone put a smile on his lips. “What time is the party?”
“We need to be there by six-thirty tomorrow night.”
He glanced at the road. His management construction trailer had arrived. He’d practically live in the damn thing until the project was turned over. “Dress code?”
“Casual, but please, no mud on your boots this time,” Xander drawled. Killian barked out a laugh. Xander’s idea of casual was a suit with no tie.
“I think I can manage that—if it doesn’t rain tomorrow.” He kicked the ground underneath his steel-toed boot. Of all of his brothers, he was roughest around the edges, except for maybe Ryker. His big brother was gruff, a straight shooter, and a cop. His father had put Ryker through hell and that was one of the many reasons he rarely spoke to the old man anymore. He didn’t understand why his father was so irrational when it came to Ryker, but his brother deserved so much better than what his father had dished out.
“I just checked online. No rain forecasted. I can pick you up if you need me to do so.”
“Nah, you’d have to come back down to the Harbor to drop me off to get my truck. Easier to meet you there.” He’d soon be spending nights at the compound; well, he and Duke would be. Duke was his German shepherd, who kept him company during the long days and nights at the site.
“Park around the block, per Mrs. King.”
“Will do. Are we going to give him our present at the party?” He didn’t know how it would go over. They’d all agreed to give Ryker a percentage of Champion Land Development when he retired from the force. A way to keep him with them.
“I’m not sure. I can see it going two ways.”
“Yeah, he throws it in our face, or he says thank you.”
Xander snorted. “That about sums it up.”
Killian stared at the vast expanse of run-down warehouses, pitted roads, and desolate properties adjacent to the land they were developing. This business could be a legacy, one that they could all be a part of and share.