Page 122 of In Spades

That made Luca and Isaac back off.

I ran my hand over my hair out of frustration. “I just need to hold off a little longer. There’s stuff going on at the inn that I need to get straightened out.” I paused, then added, “Besides, Kristin still acts like a goddamn baby deer around me half the time. I don’t wanna scare her off over something that won’t matter in a few months.”

Luna pressed her hind legs into the sand as if she was waiting for Chase’s permission to lunge at me. Friggin’ loyal dogs.

“Look,” I said as I held my palms out, hoping to stave off a beat-down. “Things between Kristin and I are good right now, but there’s more on the line than just our relationship. With the kids involved, it’s complicated. I’m not just courting her. I gotta win them over too.”

I pushed off the wall and stood toe-to-toe with Isaac. Luca stepped closer, but I shoved him back. “Don’t screw Kris and the kids over just to make a point. Trust me, I’m well aware of how much she hates the sale of the inn. I know she’s gonna be pissed when I tell her that I’m the one who turned things upside down, but she’d be fucking devastated if the inn goes under and she’s out of a job. I’m going to tell her. My word is good.”

Situation diffused.

Chase’s brow furrowed. “What’s going on at the inn? Why would it go under?”

Before I could answer, Bridget came around the corner. “What’s going on out here?” Her eyes darted between the four of us like a pinball machine.

Luca hit me with a sharp glare as he said, “Will is the one who bought the inn. Kristin doesn’t know. She’ll lose her shit when she finds out, and rightfully so.”

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” I growled as I got in his face. “You fucking ignored everything I just said.”

Luca shoved back. “I was making a point, Solomon.”

“I will lay you out, DeRossi,” I hissed, cocking my fist. “You don’t get to fuck with my girl’s life just so you can feel like a knight in shining armor.”

I was going to unleash on Luca for telling Bridget. I cocked my fist, ready to land a warning punch if things escalated. Before I could get my bearings, Chase had me pinned against the side of the house with his forearm pressed against my collarbone.

Bridget let out a shriek of alarm and bolted toward us. “Chase, don’t!”

Luna broke free from Chase’s grip on the leash and bolted for Bridget. The dog ran circles around Bridget’s feet until she couldn’t get any closer.

“Good girl. Sit,” Chase said in a menacing voice. His steely gaze never left me.

Luna plopped her behind in the sand, swishing her tail across Bridget’s ankles.

Chase’s arm left my chest, only to be replaced by Luca’s finger in my face.

“Yeah, I told Bee, and you can’t do a damn thing about it,” Luca said before turning and pointing at Bridget. “I know she can keep her mouth shut. We’re giving you time to tell Kristin yourself. She deserves to know the truth, and she deserves to hear it from you. But don’t get it twisted—we won’t keep her in the dark forever. I guarantee you this, Solomon. If Kristin hears it from anyone else, she will not forgive you for it. This is your one chance.”

“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” Kristin said as we walked across the yard to where I had parked the truck.

I hit the unlock button on the keyfob, and the headlights flashed across the trees.

“You okay?” she asked as I opened her door.

Kristin stepped on the running board and slid into the seat. I leaned in and stole a kiss. Her lips still tasted like apple pie and bourbon. I wanted to be drunk on her.

I pulled away. “I’m great, sweetheart. Did you enjoy your night?”

“It was fun,” she said. “I so needed that.”

I hopped in the driver’s seat and Kristin rested her head on my shoulder. We pulled out of the drive and headed back to Havelock.

My brow furrowed. “What do you mean you needed it?”

Kristin shrugged and fiddled with string hanging from the hem of her shirt. “Rich has been an absolute nightmare lately. I swear, the number of emails he sends out should be criminal. The company that bought the inn sent a rep to check things out. She’s around all the time now, so Rich has been breathing down everyone’s necks.”

“Oh yeah?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. I could trick a polygraph without breaking a sweat, but I couldn’t tell if Kristin saw through me.

“The rep is a bitch, according to Hannah Jane. She wants to change everything.”

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