But Tanner didn’t say that. Instead, he said, “I don’t let anyone hurt what’s mine. And Junie Morgan is mine.”
Sam tapped the document with one finger, then reached into his shirt pocket for the small, beat-up notebook he always carried. He flipped it open and jotted a quick note. “This should be fun, I can tell you from previous dealings with the Lassiters, he’s not going to take this very well.”
Tanner leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Like I give a shit. He needs to understand this isn’t a game anymore. Believe me when I tell you, this was the nicest way I could think to handle it. He really doesn’t want to know what happens when I decide I’m tired of being nice.”
Sam studied him for a long moment, the easygoing friend fading into the steady lawman everyone in Wilder respected. There was noneed to explain. He and Sam were on the same page. Sam wouldn’t tolerate anyone threatening the peace or the women in his town.
Standing, Sam reached for his hat. “Alright. You can go with me, as long as you remember I’m in charge here. You gotta keep your cool when we get there. Preston’s an ass, but he’s an ass in a powerful family of asses who have very deep pockets. You’re my friend, Tanner, but if you go off half-cocked…”
Tanner stood. “I hear you. I’ll be fine.”
“Right.” Sam gave him a long, knowing look as he settled the hat on his head. “You can tell Boone I expect an extra slice of that brisket for putting up with you today.”
Despite the tension in his chest, Tanner grinned. “I’ll make sure of it.”
As they walked out together toward Sam’s cruiser, Tanner felt the familiar mix of respect and wariness he always had around Sam. The man was solid. And right now, solid was exactly what Tanner needed at his back.
Ten minutes later, Tanner and Sam stepped into the sleek, modern lobby of Wilder Wealth Management. The place screamed money with its marble floors, expensive art on the walls, and the kind of hushed quiet that made a man feel like he needed to watch his boots.
Tanner’s jaw tightened as they approached the reception area. The secretary’s desk sat empty. Not a soul in sight.
He glanced over at Sam. “What do you want to do?”
Sam’s expression stayed hard, but there was a glint in his eye. “I’ll knock on the door and see if Lassiter’s even here.”
“Oh, he’s here. Didn’t you see that Mercedes in the parking lot?”
Sam smirked. “Which one?”
Before either of them could move toward the closed office door, it swung open. Angelina Darby, Preston’s secretary, stepped out, looking thoroughly rumpled. Her lips were swollen and red, her lipstick badly smeared, her usually perfect hair a tousled mess, andher blouse half-untucked with several buttons undone. It was painfully obvious what she and Preston had been doing in there.
Angelina froze the second she spotted them standing in the lobby. Embarrassment flooded her face. She quickly smoothed her hands down her skirt and hurried behind her desk, trying to pull herself together.
“Angie,” Sam said, removing his hat. But there was steel in the man’s voice.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, voice flustered. “I didn’t, uh, hear anyone come in. Do you gentlemen, um, h-have an appointment? With Mr. Lassiter?”
Tanner kept his tone even. “No, but if you could just tell him we’re here.”
Angelina hesitated, cheeks still flushed. “I’m afraid Mr. Lassiter is having a very busy day. He can’t be disturbed unless you have an appointment.”
Sam held up the thick manila envelope with the Official Court Documents stamp facing her. “This is the only appointment I need today. Tell him we’re here.”
Her eyes widened when she saw the envelope. She swallowed hard, then nodded quickly and picked up the phone. “Yes, sir.”
Sam’s gaze lingered on Angelina a beat too long. And what was up with the way his friend’s jaw flexed and his shoulders tightened as he took in her disheveled appearance? Yeah, that was more than just professional interest. Way more. Tanner filed that observation away for later.
It only took a moment before she hung up the phone. “He’ll see you now,” she said, clearly still flustered.
Tanner gave her a smile before they walked into Preston’s office. Preston looked up from his desk, his expression shifting from curiosity to irritation when he saw Tanner.
“Hello, Sam. I thought you were alone. Seems like I’ll have to do some more training with my secretary. What’s this about?” Preston asked, leaning back in his chair.
“This is about you staying away from Junie,” Tanner said.
Sam dropped the paper on Preston’s desk. “Judge signed it this morning. Mr. Lassiter, consider yourself served.”
Preston scanned the document, his face reddening. “You’ve got to be kidding me. This is ridiculous. What have I done, other than give a few harmless gifts to a friend? This is all you, Tanner. Does Junie even know about this?”
