His Nanny Mate By Eve Above Story
Chatper 316

Chatper 316

Chapter 316 The Mobster’s Generosity

Ella

Inside the confines of the counsel chambers, the atmosphere was saturated with apprehension. Heavycurtains blocked the outside world, leaving the room bathed in a warm, golden glow. Oak bookshelves,lined with hefty legal volumes, lined the walls.

Between Mr. Grayson and myself sat a polished mahogany table, its surface gleaming in the soft light.

“This is a… shock, to say the least,” Mr. Grayson said, fidgeting with the cufflinks of his pristine whiteshirt. “Mr. Barret, if I may ask: what changed your mind?”

Logan smirked. “I like to keep some things close to my chest, Mr. Grayson,” he said, shooting me asideways glance. “But know this: I am being genuine. No strings attached.”

Mr. Grayson shot me a look, silently asking if Logan was telling the truth. I nodded, fingertips pressedagainst the table’s smooth surface. “My client is completely serious, Mr. Grayson.”

Mr. Grayson sighed contentedly, leaning back in his chair, the soft creak of leather echoing my ownthoughts. Beside him, his client smiled softly and leaned over, whispering something inaudible in Mr.Grayson’s ear. When the client was finished, Mr. Grayson nodded and leaned forward again.

“Very well. My client will agree to pay up his missed rent in full. We can set a date. But in return, he willallow this… statue of Logan’s mother to be erected on the premises.”

I bit my lip, nodding again. “That’s a start. And the statue’s upkeep?” He stroked his silver beardthoughtfully. “He will ensure it never gets dirty or crumbles. Maintenance is on him.”

A shadow of a smile appeared on my lips, but it was Logan’s next proposition that left me-and both theclient and Mr. Grayson-absolutely floored.

“One more thing,” Logan interjected, his confident tone slicing through the air. Mr. Grayson quirked aneyebrow. “Go on, Mr. Barrett.”

Logan paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. I found myself more intrigued by this than I hadexpected; Logan had already floored me once by agreeing to make a new deal that involved allowingthe apartments to stay.

But I also felt a pit of dread beginning to form in my stomach.

“There are always strings attached,” I said inwardly to Ema, feeling myself turn cold once again. “Iknew it.”

“Just hear him out,” she replied. “Maybe it’s not what we think it is.” Finally, Logan spoke. “I’ve beenthinking of making an offer to purchase the property,” he said.

“Bingo.”

Finally, the client spoke up. “You want to purchase my property, Mr. Barrett?” he said, his voice risingworriedly. “Sir, with all due respect, this is my only form of income. Not only that, but the tenants trustme. Surely there’s something else we can work out-

Logan put his hand up to stop the client. “Don’t worry,” he said, “I’m not planning on buying it out fromunder you. I would just like to take over as a… business partner, let’s say. Not only will I pay for therenovations and upkeep, but you, the landlord, will still have full reign over the building’s matters. Andof course, you’ll also retain a majority of the apartment rent. All I would ask for is a very small share.”

I could feel my eyes widen, my heart drumming rapidly against my chest. “Logan,” I started, but he heldup a hand, silencing me.

“Consider it an… investment,” Logan said, looking almost nonchalant. “An investment?” I thought toEma. “Or an unexpected act of philanthropy? He’ll never make any money off of something like this.”

Inside of me, I felt Ema chuckle. “Maybe the Alpha mobster has a heart after all,” she said.

Mr. Grayson blinked, processing the offer. “That’s… unexpected. And very generous, Mr. Barrett. I’llneed to consult with my client, but I believe…” He paused, glancing at his client, whose eyes seemed alittle brighter. “…that he may be amenable.”

Logan merely shrugged, his blue eyes intense and unreadable. “Let’s get the paperwork in order.”

The speed at which things were unfolding was almost dizzying. In a matter of hours, the court hadadjourned and Logan and I were outside, the bright sunlight a stark contrast to the room’s dimambiance.

I quickened my pace, matching Logan’s long strides. “What changed, Logan?” I inquired, searching hisface for an answer. “You completely floored me in there. No offense, but I’m having a hard timebelieving that you just suddenly decided to become a philanthropist in the span of fifteen minutes.”

Logan didn’t respond immediately, his gaze fixed forward. But the corners of his mouth tightened everso slightly.

“You’re not one to give in so easily,” I pressed, trying to decipher the enigma that was Logan Barrett.He paused, exhaling deeply. “You remember that single mother from earlier?”

I nodded, the image of the distressed woman and her son still vivid in my mind.

“She reminded me of my mom,” Logan admitted, his voice quieter, softer, a hint of vulnerabilitycreeping in. “And I couldn’t help but think, my mom would want those people to keep their homes. It feltright to build her statue there, to have her memory be a beacon for that community. Without any plazaor shops overshadowing it.”

I looked at him, genuinely surprised, my earlier judgments crumbling. “So I was right,” I teased. “Aboutwhat your mom would want.”

Logan stopped, letting out an almost inaudible sigh. He turned to look at me, and the setting sunilluminated his face as it descended its final few inches over the horizon. Above us, the sky was abeautiful menagerie of pinks and purples.

“You’re right more often than maybe I’d like to admit,” he finally said, his voice soft. There was a silencebetween us, but it felt lighter than it did before. Perhaps I had been wrong about Logan. “Hmm,” Imuttered.

Logan quirked an eyebrow. “What is it?”

I shook my head, laughing slightly. “It’s nothing. It’s just… Maybe you’re not as cold-hearted as Ithought, Mr. Barrett,” I mused aloud.

Logan chuckled, a deep, resonant sound. “Ella, it’s always a mistake to assume you know someoneentirely. Especially when it comes to me.”

A silence stretched between us, punctuated by the distant sounds of the city-the hum of traffic, thedistant murmur of conversations, and the gentle rustling of leaves.

“But there’s one thing you should know,” Logan added with a smirk, breaking the lull. “I’ve already linedup our third case. Hope you’re ready for another wild ride.”

I groaned dramatically. “Already?” I asked, smirking. “Can we at least take a breather?”

He winked, nudging me playfully. There was a newfound glimmer in his eyes, a sparkle of somethingthat gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, he had never planned on going against his promisesbefore. Maybe he got a little off track. I liked to imagine, though, that this case had sparked somethingin him. And I hoped beyond hope that it lasted.

“That’s what the weekend is for,” he said. “And speaking of which, it is Friday, after all. And I’m thirsty.”

I couldn’t hide my smirk as I folded my arms across my chest. “What are you saying?” I asked. Logan’sface softened. “I know a nice little place that I think you’d like. What do you say?”