Page 114 of Taken By Storm

Scottie gestured to the exit. “Why don’t we discuss this in private?”

Kasi shook her head. “There’s nothing to discuss. You lied about Levi pressing charges.”

Scottie narrowed his eyes. “I said they might press charges. I never said they were.”

Levi clenched his fist and started to rise because fuck this guy.

Kasi stopped Levi by placing her hand on his thigh before digging into her pocket. She pulled out the engagement ring and thrust it toward Scottie.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Returning your ring. My answer is no.”

Levi didn’t think Kasi intended to speak as loudly as she had, but with each passing day, her fury over Scottie preying on her grief to try to bully her family out of their farm had grown. It probably hadn’t helped that Keith, Tim, and Levi had shared that emotion, the four of them outraged by Scottie’smanipulations. As such, she’d had plenty of time to build up a big head of steam.

Scottie glanced around, aware they were drawing an audience because his reply was spoken much softer. “We need to talk,” he said to her, before looking at Levi. “Alone.”

Kasi didn’t bother to temper her volume. “There’s nothing you need to say to me that my boyfriend, Levi, can’t hear.”

Scottie pursed his lips tightly, and Levi could almost see the wheels turning in the man’s head. “Returning that ring isn’t going to help you or your family,” Scottie said through gritted teeth.

“Oh,” Kasi feigned surprise. “You mean because of the property taxes? That’s all taken care of. Paid in full.”

Scottie frowned. “But?—”

“I have to admit,” Levi said, definitely speaking louder than he needed to, “I was surprised when I realized you said town council had done away with the payment plan option for back taxes. Dad was confused too, considering the council didn’t vote to reverse the rules regarding that issue. Is that something you’re planning to change if you win the election?”

Several heads turned in their direction, and Levi recognized more than a few of those who were sitting nearby were local landowners and farmers.

“No more payment plans?” someone muttered with alarm.

Scottie shook his head quickly, his hands raised in immediate surrender as he surveyed the people around them. “That’s not true. The payment plans are still in effect,” he said loudly, before turning back to their table, leaning forward. “Dammit, Kasi,” he started. “Stop this.”

Levi didn’t like how close Scottie was getting…or the look in his eye. It reminded him of last fall, when Scottie had grabbed Lucy. The mayorreallydidn’t take rejection well.

“Back up,” Levi said, in a deep, low voice.

Scottie held Kasi’s gaze for a few seconds longer, clearly trying to intimidate her.

“Right now,” Levi added.

The tone of his voice must have penetrated, reminding Scottie of exactly what Levi would do to protect a woman he cared about.

Scottie took a step back, his face flushed with anger.

“Take the ring and get the fuck out of here,” Levi said quietly, aware Scottie had refused to reclaim the ring.

Scottie put his hand out, and Kasi slapped it into his palm.

“You tried to take advantage of my family’s misfortune, tried to use it to your benefit. You’re an asshole.” Kasi was quieter, but now that they’d captured everyone’s attention, the conversations at the surrounding tables had faded enough that she was still heard.

Scottie sniffed. “I was trying to help you.”

Kasi shook her head. “No. You weren’t. You were using me to get what you wanted.”

Before they could say more, a new voice came over the microphone, as Lark’s last song had just ended.

Levi glanced toward the makeshift stage, surprised to find Sam standing there.

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