Caleb (The Unseen Series Book 1) Read Free Page A

was the underboss of the New Jersey crime family and Vitale was under him. When my father died, Vitale was gunning for the position. However it came at a price he thought he could get out of paying. Anyone stupid enough to try screwing over the boss and think they could get away with it, was definitely in a league of their own.
    Although I still have an office at Slate Security, I now use it for Slate Property Development. I’ve bought, restored and sold several houses. I’ve just started my biggest project yet and this time I have unwilling tenants that don’t want to leave. I bought a run-down apartment building and its surrounding land in Fort Lincoln. I plan to tear it down and build a few modern apartment buildings on the land. Although the building is in very bad condition, it still houses over one hundred tenants in sixty-six apartments. I brought the building at a low price after the owner died and left it to his son, who has no interest in fixing it up himself. Fort Lincoln has quite a high crime rate, but it is situated perfectly for a twenty minute commute into the city. My hope is to turn this run-down, low income neighborhood into a wealthy, gated community. Unfortunately, some of the residents don’t seem to agree.
    It’s only Wednesday, but I feel like the week should already be over. I was supposed to have a meeting with one of the residents from Fort Lincoln on Monday afternoon, but had to cancel as I was called out to New York on the Saturday. An emergency had come up and Edward Day needed me, there was no way I would turn down my closest friend. My secretary rescheduled the appointment for yesterday, unfortunately I had to cancel because my flight was delayed and didn’t arrive at BWI until late last night. So I rescheduled the meeting again for today—I just want to get it out of the way now. I’m really not in the mood for dealing with a disgruntled, self-righteous tenant. Just as I’m thinking this, my secretary calls over the intercom.
    “Your three o’clock is here, Mr. Slate.”
    “Thanks Debbie, send them in,” I reply and wait for the door to open. When it does, I have to force my eyes back inside my head and roll my tongue up off the floor. I try to compose myself as quickly as possible, though I’m sure this beautiful angel in front of me has noticed.
    “Hi there,” I say and instantly regret it. Hi there?
    “Hi,” she replies and smiles so innocently. She can be no older than twenty-three, though her big brown eyes suggest wisdom beyond her years. Her long, silky brown hair is a huge contrast to her smooth, pale skin.
    After staring at her for a few uncomfortable seconds, I clear my throat. “I’m sorry, I’ve been given no details about today’s meeting. I’m Caleb Slate, why don’t you take a seat and tell me a bit about yourself.” Or you could tell me everything. I want to know everything.
    “Um... okay. I’m Sarah-Jane Tanner, my friends call me SJ.”
    “SJ,” I repeat, letting her nickname roll off my tongue.
    She narrows her eyes at me and frowns. “I said my friends call me SJ, Mr. Slate. You can call me Miss Tanner.”
    “Of course, I’m sorry. Please continue, Miss Tanner,” I apologize with a smirk, to which she frowns again.
    “I’m not here for friendly chit-chat, Mr. Slate,” she states firmly. “I’m here with a signed petition to not destroy our home. I really hope you take this matter seriously and consider the amount of people you will be making homeless.”
    “I’ve given you three months notice to find new homes. I think I’ve been rather generous. Considering the fact that I’m well within my rights to only give you thirty days notice. I understand that you’re all on low incomes and that one month probably won’t be enough time to find alternative accommodation,” I say as politely as I can.
    “It’s not about finding alternative accommodation, it’s about finding homes we can afford,” she responds.
    “Is that why you’re