I frowned. “Keela put her foot down with Alec though. She didn’t want to spend money she didn’t earn.”
“You have earned this, babydoll,” Kane assured me. “Putting up with me on a daily basis means you deserve all this and more.”
I thought about it for a second then said, “That’s true.”
Kane guffawed, “You’re as modest as ever.”
I snorted and hugged him tighter.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
I could hear the smile in his voice as he said, “You’re more than welcome, babydoll.”
I couldn’t believe that I had a brand new apartment, but what I simply couldn’t wrapped my head around was that Kane own said apartment. He owned an entire building full of them, five of them.
“I can’t believe you’ve been runnin’ a business without any of us catchin’ on. I’m annoyed actually. I pride meself in findin’ stuff out, but I had no clue.”
Kane chuckled and pulled back from our hug.
“It happened by accident, actually. I came across Upton Realtors for sale and three buildings they owned for a steal of a price. I bought them a few years ago, then this building last year and remodeled them. I have a hundred tenants, you’ll make one hundred and one. I have plenty of apartments left to fill, too.”
I arched an eyebrow. “It’s all legal, right?”
Kane laughed, “Yeah, it’s all legal. I own everything fair and square.”
That made me feel a little better, but I was still feeling mind-fucked.
“I can’t believe this, I thought you were unemployed!”
“I know,” he replied, “and I was going to tell you. I just wanted you to know me before you knew about all this.”
I frowned. “You were worried that I’d act differently if I knew you had money?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t sure of anything, so I kept it to myself.”
I was silent for a moment then I said, “I understand. Thank you for telling me even if only because I overheard Cala.”
“Aideen,” Kane sighed, “I was going to tell you when you got settled into the apartment, I swear.”
I believed him.
I bobbed my head up and down. “I know. This whole situation is just insane.”
Kane scratched his neck. “While I’m telling you about properties I own, you know the old community centre in the middle of town?”
The centre he was talking about had been empty for years.
I eyed him. “Yes?”
“I own that too,” he admitted. “I plan on turning it into a youth centre to help get kids off the street and away from gangs and trouble.”
I blinked. “Oh, my God. Kane.”
“What?” he murmured.
“That is… wonderful. I could kiss you for telling me that, I work with kids so that means a lot to me. Thank you so much.”
Kane smiled. “Kiss me if you want to.”
I pulled a face at him but got on my tippy toes and kissed the corner of his mouth.
“Tease,” he breathed.
I smiled up at him. “I remember you sayin’ years ago you wanted to do somethin’ with the centre, I just didn’t think this was it.”
He shrugged. “It’s just something I want to do. If I can help one child, It’ll all be worth it.”
My heart!
“Can I help?” I asked. “I mean, with the kids, when the centre is open?”
Kane’s eyes lit up. “I’d love nothing more than you to help me, babydoll.”
I beamed. “It’ll be amazin’. I know loads of ways to keep a child’s attention even into adolescents. We can do up plans, and get in volunteers to help...” I paused my rambling when I found Kane smiling at me.
“What?” I asked, shyly.
He shook his head. “You just make me happy.”
Oh.
“Yeah? Well, you make me happy, too.”
Kane’s eye heated and I knew I needed to change the subject or this beautiful hallway would be destroyed in bodily fluids.
I shook my head and glanced around the hallway. “I can’t believe you own this place. It’s gorgeous.”
He smiled knowingly at me. “Thanks. It’s not officially open yet because the bigger apartments upstairs aren’t ready, but they will be soon.”
I looked up and down the hallway. “I wonder who my neighbours will be.”
Kane snorted, “You won’t have neighbours. You’ll be the only person on this floor.”