"Ok so how do we look into who owns the rights?" asked Gordon, the fire coming back into his eyes.

"I'd start with the county recorder's office. If it's owned by a private company or person, they'll know. If it's confusing, you can hire a title company to investigate for you. Lastly, if it's government land, you'll have to check state or federal agency lease records since they're not going to just sell that."

"All this sounds like it can't be done overnight." Gordon's fire dimmed slightly.

"Correct. However... they don't need to know that."

Both men raised an eyebrow.

"If you spin it as you have the land rights AND the mineral rights documented and recorded, they could very well back down. At least for the time being. It'll give us time to do more digging and set things right."

Noah turned to his Alpha. "She's devious. I'm glad she's on our side."

I gave a chuckle and rueful smile to Gordon, knowing that I wasn't exactly welcome. "Devious doesn't mean we can sit on our hands, though," I countered, flipping my notebook toward them. "Tomorrow morning, someone needs to call the county recorder's office and ask specifically about mineral rights ownership for the parcels in question. Write down parcel numbers if you don't already have them handy."

Gordon and Noah both nodded, though Gordon's jaw was tight. The Alpha in him didn't like taking homework from me.

"If the records are clean and Bitterroot's name is on them, awesome. We can double down in negotiations. If they're muddy or incomplete, that's where step two comes in." I tapped my pen against the paper. "Hire a title company. It'll sting the budget, but not nearly as badly as signing away profits that never should've been ceded in the first place."

Noah grunted, clearly impressed despite himself. "And if it turns out the government owns it?"

"Then you figure out who they lease to, and either you compete for the lease or you build an agreement around it. But you don't panic and you sure as hell don't admit you haven't checked." My short nails clicked against the desk as I used my hands to talk and punctuate my explanation. It was a bad habit, but right now I really didn't care.

Silence settled for a beat. Gordon's gaze was stormy, caught somewhere between irritation that I was right and reluctant appreciation that I was useful.

"Fine," he said at last, pushing back from the desk. "Noah, make the call at seven thirty sharp tomorrow. Bring Liam with you, you've been meaning to train him on this kind of thing anyway."

"Got it," Noah said with a grunt as he got to his feet. "See you both bright and early tomorrow." The office door clicked shut behind him. For a moment, Gordon stayed silent, watching the laptop screen as if it might solve all his problems for him.

"You really think this bluff will hold?" He asked finally, not looking at me.

"It's all how you sell it. Deliver it as an Alpha who knows he's right," I said, gathering my things and getting up, "and they'll buy it. People tend to not call your bluff until they're desperate."

His mouth twitched—half grimace, half reluctant grin. "You really are trouble."

I arched my brow. "What can I say? I learn from the best. Though I think I'll skip the jasmine perfume suggestions."

His head snapped toward me, startled, and I grinned before slipping out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note:

Gordon: "Your role is silent." Allison: "Copy. So—quick question..."

This is gonna happen a lot....

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