Malakai (Stone Society #13) - Faith Gibson Page 0,56
some of the most hateful words I’ve heard in my seventy years. She might get away with that in the courtroom, but I want no part of it. I don’t know how one daughter turned out like her and the other, well, Josie, you must take after your mother.”
Malakai bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. Edwina Cooley had been a spitfire when she was younger, and it seemed she still was. “Winnie, Josie and I are headed to lunch soon. Would you care to join us?”
“Now, wait just a minute,” Preston huffed.
“Oh, that would be wonderful, Dear. I would love to catch up. Josie, is it all right with you if I encroach on your time with Malakai?”
Kai hadn’t missed Josie’s mood when she left her father’s office. She was lighter than she’d been since he’d met her on the side of the road. He’d listened in on her conversation with Preston while he had been dealing with her sister. Josie bounced on her toes, and said, “It’s more than all right. I’d love it if you joined us. I just need a few minutes to grab my things, then we can be on our way.”
“Mrs. Cooley, please reconsider,” Preston said.
“Begging isn’t a good look on you, Preston. Josie, dear, are you packing your desk?” Winnie looked between all the Piersons, trying to figure out what was going on.
“Yes ma’am. As of about half an hour ago, I no longer work for the firm. My choice, so please don’t worry.” Josie removed all the files from her briefcase, placing them on her desk before filling it with a couple of picture frames and other personal items. When she seemed satisfied she had everything, Josie smiled and said, “Ready.”
The three of them left Josie’s father and sister staring after them. As soon as they were outside, Josie let out a whoop, pumping her fist in the air. “Mrs. Cooley, I’m so glad you stopped by. You can celebrate with us.”
“Please, call me Winnie.”
Kai and Josie drove to the local Italian restaurant with Winnie following in her chauffeured car. Josie enjoyed lunch with Mrs. Cooley. She sat back and listened as Kai and the older woman reminisced about the island Kai called home. What was strange was Kai referring to Winnie as a young girl, while she said he hadn’t changed a bit in fifty years. He had explained how they, she included, would look the same for the rest of their lives, but it hadn’t hit home until then.
Winnie was loyal to Kai, and in turn, Josie, saying she would find another attorney to handle her estate. Kai mentioned a woman named Victoria Holt, who was the Stone Clan’s lawyer. Before they went their separate ways, Winnie made them promise to come by for dinner soon. Josie had two dinner invitations in one day, and she couldn’t be happier. Her decision to walk out of her family’s firm had been easier than expected, especially when her father made his ridiculous offer for Josie to work solely for Presley. Her mother called during lunch, but Josie let it go to voicemail.
“Where are we going?” Josie asked as soon as they were in the Veyron.
“Since we’re already close, I thought we’d stop by the building so you can see your next adventure.”
Josie laughed. “You make it sound like I’ve had my first one.”
“Then welcome to the beginning of lots of new experiences.” Kai kissed her knuckles, and Josie found it to be one of his favorite moves.
The structure, which Kai said she was co-owner of, wasn’t anything like Josie imagined. It was a two-story brick business in a nice area with plenty of parking. The inside was spacious, and as Kai showed her where he planned to put sparring rings and equipment, she could easily envision it. By the time he locked the door behind them, Josie was excited.
“How long will it take to get everything set up?”
“I’m not sure. I need to get Rafael down here to show him my ideas. He’ll then work up the plans for renovation and suggest the contractor. In the meantime, we need to talk to Frey about the software he uses for the gym. I imagine it would be close to what we need. If you like, I’ll leave that up to you since that will be your domain.”
“I’d like that. But we’ll need help designing things like the website and the logo.”
Kai pushed a button on the steering wheel and said,