I didn’t know what to say. JJ and I had both kept things from one another.
I opened my mouth to speak, taking a breath to start, but nothing came out. No words, no snappy comeback—nothing.
Which, apparently, didn’t matter since JJ continued to ramble.
My mind began to whirl, spinning around and around in a grey cloud ofmess.
Mess.
That’s what I’d made of all of this. My need for independence, to not ask for help, had fucked us all over. And now? Now we were in debt to a man who JJ wasangryat me for involving us with. JJ. Cool, calm, charismatic JJ—was rambling on and on about how colossal of a fuck up this was—
“I think she gets the message, mate.”
I shot Chance a grateful look, only to find him already looking at me. Understanding shone in his eyes as he sent a subtle nod my way. Warmth, comforting and easy, spread through my chest.
“Rio—”
“We get it—this Camden guy is bad news,” Chance interrupted, standing from his chair and opting to lean on his desk instead. He folded his arms over his chest and subtly rolled his shoulders back.
I guess Chance had decided JJ’s ramblings were over then.
“What can wedoabout it?” he pointedly asked JJ.
“Nothing,” I rasped, my voice coming out thick and wavering.
Chance raised his eyebrows at me in question.
“The amount it would cost to buy Camden out is completely out of reach.”
“Is that so?”
“Forget the money, Lynnie.” JJ ran both of his hands through his hair, his dark skin disappearing in the overgrown curls. Hestopped pacing and sat down on the couch next to me. “Forget about all of the money and contracts and how dangerous that already is. Think about the fact that Camden’s fuckface of a son gets to come in here andput hands on you, and you’re telling me there’s nothing we can do about it?”
JJ’s gaze burned me, full of disappointment, worry, and anger. Anger at me for keeping this from him. Anger at Jayden for throwing down with me today. Anger at himself for not being able to do anything.
I reached a hand across and squeezed his.
“I’m okay. We’re all gonna be okay. I can handle my own.” I urged him to listen, urged him to believe I wasn’t the same woman as last summer. The same woman who let Jayden walk all over her; push and cross boundaries with her; torment her.
JJ squeezed back. “We’ll find a way out of this, Lynnie. I’m sure of it.”
Chapter 13
Mari
“Istill can’t believe you invited him for dinner,” I grumbled, setting the knives and forks next to the plates on the table. I leaned over Al, being careful not to knock over his cold beer.
“Chance is a part of the Knock’s family now, Mari,” Nan snapped, the wooden spatula clattering on the edge of the pot as she turned to face me. “It’s about time you started acting like it.”
“She’s right, darlin’,” Al chimed, drumming his fingernails against his stubby.
“Stay out of this, Al,” I groaned, letting my head fall back on the cabinets above the bench I was leaning on.
“Chance is a nice young fella,” he replied, completely ignoring my protest. “And is now an integral part of the team, serving asmy replacement. I expect you and everyone else to give him the same courtesy and respect as you did me.”
Nan and Al shared a knowing look and I sighed.
So this conversation has already been had outside my presence. Game over.
