Slow Burn Read Online Free PDF Page B

Culver City Art District makes it perfect for
an art center. It was what my parents had planned before they died.
They made their first public appearance at the old Carlyle Club and
spoke about it with nostalgia.” She smiled, remembering. “You know
they used to say to work, sweat and dance in Carlyle Club was to be
part of a tradition. A tradition an aspiring artist should be
honored to be a part of.”
    He smiled with approval, and Ashley wondered
how he’d react to her next words.
    She swallowed and took a deep breath. “I plan
to demolish it and rebuild.”
    Ron’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re kidding,
right?”
    “I’m not. It’s old. With its asbestos, lead
and fire-safety problems, it wouldn’t pass the building codes.”
    “Why not just refurbish it? It is
cost-effective.”
    She’d checked into that and didn’t have a
good enough excuse except, “Meeting the new fire codes would cost
me a fortune. As a part-time firefighter,” oh yeah, she’d checked
and knew about his volunteer work with the Kern Valley Hotshot
wildfire crew, “you know the city requires sprinklers systems in
commercial buildings rather than the old fire-escape routes from
upper stories.” She knew she got him when his eyes grew thoughtful
and he leaned forward, his gaze not wavering. “Also, I wouldn’t
want anyone developing cancer years from now because of asbestos.
They used it in everything prior to the seventies—flooring, ceiling
spackle, roofing, siding, pipes, ducts, walls, gaskets, even
soundproofing. But I plan to use the original architectural designs
to recreate a replica of the house.” She held her breath and waited
for him to say something, anything.
    Ron released a deep breath and leaned back.
“Sounds like you’ve thought this through.”
    She’d picked her cousin’s brain. Without
Lex’s expertise, she wouldn’t have known where to start when it
came to old buildings. “I mean to fulfill my parents’ dream.”
    “I can understand that, except there’s a
slight wrinkle in your plans.”
    “What?”
    “There’s another person interested in the
house.”
    Her eyes widened. “Who?”
    His eyes were watchful as he added, “Ryan
Doyle of Doyle Enterprise.”
    Ashley’s heart dropped. Ryan Doyle was a real
estate shark with rumored connections to organized crime. Born and
raised in Los Angeles, he was street smart and ruthless. Rumor had
it he made his first million at thirty by questionable means,
billion at forty and was now worth a lot more than was usually
reported in magazines. Despite his wealth, he was still considered
a thug by the business world. There was no way she could win a
bidding war against him.
    “What could he possibly want with Carlyle
House?” Ashley asked.
    “According to my mother, he’s moving his
headquarters to Los Angeles. He intends to have his main office in
the downtown area and in Culver City. He owns a large slice of
undeveloped property nearby, a situation he means to rectify, and
he wants to restore Carlyle House. Why, I don’t know.”
    Ashley sunk back into her seat. Whatever
offer she made, Doyle could easily top it or double it without
putting a dent in his bank accounts.
    “I’m not getting the house, am I? I mean, how
could I possibly win a bid against Doyle?” And he wanted to revamp
it, damn it. How could she even begin to compete?
    “No one is starting a bidding war, Ashley.
Besides, you can have me on your side.” He wiggled his eyebrows as
a naughty smile curled his mouth.
    “That would be unethical. Kind of like
insider trading.” And tie a noose around her neck? She knew exactly
what he’d want in return.
    He laughed, the sound deep, warm and
rich.
    He knew he had her cornered. She scowled at
him. “Fine. I do want you in my corner. I deserve to get the house
since I offered first. Besides, I intend to pay market value. No
fuss, no negotiations.”
    He winked at her. “Then feel free to use me.
All you have to do is ask and I’ll make