Page 163 of On The Rocks

“What?” Kira stepped to me, gripping my arms. She practically towered over me, and her mama bear eyes were intense. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I just thought it was some jerk on a motorcycle. It was gorgeous that day and I think everyone and their mother was out for a ride. You know how Mitchell Road gets.”

Kira sighed. “Yeah, I do.” She hauled me in for a hug, then she let me go.

I explained what happened and how she actually showed up in my lobby at the apartment building.

“And you didn’t think that was cause for alarm?” Kain asked, his voice deadly calm.

“Well, now I do. Before I just thought it was some asshole who thought they were being funny.”

Griffin wound his arm around my waist. “Oh, it was an asshole. Just not an anonymous one.”

“Yeah, I guess not.”

“But Marc was severely injured. He’s gonna live off the bionic man moniker for a damn long time. Two knees and a hip replacement.”

“Jesus.” Beckett pushed his hat back to tunnel his fingers through his hair, then he put it back on.

“There’s just way too many things to not add up to it being Irene.”

“Marc talked to the cops?” Kain asked. “They just didn’t believe him.”

“Pretty much.”

“At least there’s a paper trail. And enough to go to the cops.”

I nodded. “Even if they think we’re crazy, we need to talk to them.”

“Even with that, the insurance is going to be a hard sell to cover all this damage. Even if it was malicious intent, it just lookslike negligence.” Beckett held a hand up. “Even if we know it’s not.”

I tipped my head back. God, even the rafters were covered in soot from the smoke. “This is awful.”

“Yeah. The orchard has definitely been turning a profit—especially the taproom lately—but not a full remodel profit. I’ll have to look into a business loan, but we’ve been borrowing against all the equity for the rentals so I don’t know how much I could get right now.”

Griffin stroked a thumb along my lower back. “What about a benefit?”

Beckett crossed his arms. “We don’t ask for handouts around here.”

“Look, this place is very popular with a lot of people. It wouldn’t be a handout if they just wanted their space back. Not to mention, I happen to have a billionaire brother and sister.” Griffin thumbed his hand at Kain.

“You know I would help in a minute. This is my place too.”

“Do I need to sayno handoutsagain? Maybe louder for the back?” Beckett’s voice was tight with anger.

“What about a partner?” I asked.

“I love you, Kain, but I don’t want you as a partner.”

“Not Kain,me.” I rushed on. “I went to Florida with Griffin because I was looking at a property. But nothing ever feels as right as this place to me. I keep trying to find one, but it just doesn’t. I have credit and four-million-dollars saved up.”

“Four what?” Griffin spluttered.

I shrugged. “You think that club in Florida was cheap, ace?”

“No, but you had an investor,” he muttered.

“I did. But this won’t cost that much and still, I’d have enough to expand here if you were open to it.”

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