Page 100 of Burn It Down

Dylan holds his hand out, willing to offer Steve a chance to bridge the gap, but my father not only ignores his outstretched hand…he spits on my floor…actuallyspitson my carpeted floor… turns around, and walks out of my office without another word.

“Well, that was disgusting,” I joke, leaning over the edge of my desk to see the dark spot on my newly-soiled carpet.

Dylan pulls me back and throws his arms around my neck.

“I’m so fucking proud of you,” he breathes into my neck as I wrap my arms around him. The feel of him here, in my office, in my arms, out in the open, is unlike any other. I squeeze him to me, reveling in his strength — mental, emotional, and physical.

“Do you even know how much I love you?” I ask him. “Do you know that you’ve saved me?” I bring my lips back to his, unable to stand having him so close and not have my mouth on him. When my door crashes open again Peggy’s voice immediately fills the air around me.

“Sorry, Jacob, I tried to tell him you were busy.”

“It’s okay, Peggy.”

I push Dylan behind me.

“Governor Cosey, what can I do for you?”

“For starters, you can explain to me why you broke my daughter’s heart.”

“Sir, I didn’t break her—"

“Save it,” he snaps.

His eyes swing to Dylan as he moves closer to my desk, which is still acting as a barrier between us.

“This is all your fault,” he accuses Dylan, raising a finger to point at his chest, causing me to step slightly in front of him.

“None of this is his fault.” My tone is stern and unyielding. “You and I both know that Cora and I were pawns in a chess game being played by you and my father. It’s past time she and I get to make our own choices.”

Martin twirls the gaudy gold ring on his pinky, his eyes flitting back and forth between Dylan and I.

“Well, you’ve certainly made your choice this time, haven’t you?”

I reach behind me for Dylan’s hand, lacing our fingers, and pulling his hand to my chest.

But I stay quiet.

Because how do I explain that falling in love with Dylan Ryder was never achoice?From the moment I saw him, a change took place in me at a cellular level. My very DNA changed, unwilling to accept that I was the best version of myself without him. Sure, his looks caught my attention, but it was like his soul reached out and woke mine up. I hadn’t realized I was in the dark until he turned on the light.

Martin’s voice brings me back to the present. “Well, given the current circumstances, I think it’s best if I take my portfolio, as well as the rest of my financial ventures elsewhere.”

“Speaking of your portfolio,” I start, picking up the folder on my desk. “Can you explain why you’ve been collecting properties on the south side of town? Specifically, those along the same street as Ryder Automotive? Surely as a new business owner there, you’ve heard about the hit and run that happened recently?”

The color drains from his face, leaving him a nice shade of gray.

“I’m not sure what you’re insinuating, but I don’t owe you an explanation for a damn thing, Jacob.”

“Don’t you think it’s a little coincidental that these businesses began getting vandalized roughly eight months ago, which is right around the time you started to get interested in real estate?”

“I’d call it awareness,” he argues. “You should know as an investor you have to run reports, stay on top of the information and be ready when the opportunity strikes. The circumstances are unfortunate, but my purchases are all legal and aboveboard.”

“Or,” I hedge, “you have people on your payroll doing the dirty work for you, driving down property values so you canswoop in and make an offer, seemingly the hero when in reality you’re the reason these people have lost everything.”

I don’t know what’s come over me. If I’m wrong about this, I’m digging myself a grave so deep I’ll never get out and I’m potentially burying Dylan with me.

“Watch your mouth, Jacob. My daughter may take your bullshit lying down, but I won’t. I’m sad to see I didn’t teach her better, but before you accuse me of breaking the law, it would be wise to remember who runs not only this town, but this entire fucking state.”

I feel Dylan’s hand on my arm. A silent plea to back off.

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