Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Details.
I text back. Need an EPA stay on some private property near the Texas border.
A moment passes before the three dots appear to move. I wait for her response.
The Bellamy property?
My heart races. She knows?
Fuck. I’m in now.
Yes, I text back.
Another long pause.
Wheels are already in motion, she finally replies.
I stare at the screen, mind whirling. What does she mean by that? Is she with me or against me?
Clarify, I type back, my fingers shaking just slightly.
The damnable ellipsis appears again, taunting me as I wait for her response.
The dilapidated barn by the border. It’s a high-risk zone. Paperwork has been filed. Bellamy will be notified first thing tomorrow not to begin excavation.
A high-risk zone? My heart thumps. Tomorrow? That’s much faster than I anticipated. This is real. Real.
I’m in this. I knew I was, but now it’s certain. I’m using my grandfather’s nefarious contacts to help a friend. It’s personal. We don’t do personal.
Thanks, I text, trying to maintain an air of calmness despite the panic bubbling up inside me.
Don’t thank me yet, she messages back, eerily echoing my grandfather’s words from earlier.
I place the burner phone down on the desk.
Someone got to her before I did.
It wasn’t the Bellamys.
And it wasn’t me.
Who the fuck else knows about this?
13
RAVEN
Dad lets me use his office for the meeting with the attorney today.
I’m more than a little freaked about what I learned from my brothers yesterday, but I use my desire to give back to the medical community to keep my mind at bay.
I’m going to start a nonprofit organization to benefit the research and treatment of blood cancers.
It’s what I feel called to do. After all, I’m lucky to be alive.
Our housekeeper shows the attorney to the office where I’m sitting behind Dad’s desk.
The attorney, a handsome man with a chiseled jawline and wearing a tailored suit, strides in. He looks professional, yet his eyes hold a touch of warmth that soothes my anxiety. He takes the seat across from me, his briefcase resting on his knees.
I rise. “You must be Mr. Latham.”
“Yes, I’m Brick Latham, and you of course are Raven Bellamy.”
I nod, taking a deep breath. I straighten my spine and meet his gaze. I’m nervous, yes, but this is important.
“I want to start a nonprofit organization,” I say, my voice steady. “For blood cancer research and treatment.”
Of course Latham already knows this. We spoke on the phone. He opens his briefcase to take out some documents. “Very well,” he says. “We have quite a bit of paperwork to go through.” He leans forward. “Blood cancer research and treatment is a wonderful initiative, Ms. Bellamy.”
“Please, call me Raven,” I say.
His eyes brighten. “Of course, Raven.” He returns his attention to his materials. “Starting a nonprofit involves several key steps. Let’s break it down. The first thing you need to do is to clarify your mission. What specific support services and resources are you planning to offer?”
I nod, smiling. I’ve thought this through a bit since last night. “I think I’d like to arrange support groups for emotional support, raise money to allow patients to apply for financial assistance, and champion awareness campaigns.”
“That’s a comprehensive mission.” Brick jots down a few notes on a legal pad. “The next step is to form a board of directors. This group will guide the organization and ensure it stays true to its mission. Do you have people in mind who might join your board?”
“I’ve talked to my sister, Robin, about being on the board.”
He nods. “Anyone else?”
I scratch my chin. “Not really. But I’m sure my parents would be interested.”
“Perhaps someone who isn’t related to you?”
My mind immediately goes to Vinnie. I barely know the man, but I can’t shake the feeling that he would be a passionate advocate for my cause. But his hands are full with both the business of his family and now the mess my brothers are in.
I twiddle my fingers. “I’m sure there are some doctors at the hospital who would be interested. They would also provide some important insight from their perspective. And I’ve recently reconnected with a college friend, CJ. Her father just passed away from cancer, so I imagine she would be interested.”
“Great. It’s important to have a diverse and committed board.” Brick leans back slightly, his gaze matching mine. “The specifics will come with time after you’ve talked to some potential members.”
“I’ll make time to gauge interest among the community.”
“That’ll be great.” Brick smiles. “After forming your board, you need to draft your nonprofit’s bylaws. These are the rules that will govern how your organization operates. I can help you with this, but you might also want to consider consulting with other experts in nonprofit law. They can even give you some templates to look at if you’re at a complete loss of where to begin.”