I frown. “I thought we already signed the documents and sent him the deposit.”
“We did.” Sandro pats his jacket. “I’ve got our copy of the lease right here. We’re supposed to take possession today.”
“Then what the fuck?”
“I don’t know. He said management told him not to give us the keys.”
“Who’s management?”
“He didn’t say, but a quick Google search revealed that the leasing company is owned by Lewis & Co.”
“The mayor’s company?”
Sandro nods. “If I had to guess, I’d put money on your girlfriend’s ex having something to do with it.”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
“They have no legal right to stop us from taking possession.”
“Yeah, so we can sue. But it’ll take a while to get sorted, because the courts are closed for the holiday now. We’re going to have to wait until January.”
January? I don’t have until January. This is supposed to be Blake’s Christmas present.
A vacuum of anger opens up inside me. I’m so fucking tired of that prick causing Blake and me problems. I’ve tried to be patient. I’ve tried to take the high road. But with some men, there’s only one way to make them learn.
I have to deal with that prick. There’s no way around it anymore.
And yeah, that’s Nero talking. The Nero I promised I’d keep leashed. But I’m going to let him out just this once.
“We’re not suing shit. We’re going to go talk to him and do this the old-fashioned way.”
Sandro’s eyes widen. “What is that supposed to—”
I leave him on the porch and go inside to grab my jacket.
“Blake, I’ll be back in an hour,” I call out. “Got to take care of something with Sam.”
Her voice comes from the bedroom. “Okay! See you soon.”
When I come back out, Sandro’s wearing a determined expression on his face, like he’s planning on talking me out of this. “Hold on—“
I cross the front lawn to my truck and unlock it. The gun inside the glove compartment is freezing to the touch. I slip it behind my waistband and wince at the cold, but something inside my chest clicks into place, like a missing puzzle piece.
A hand clenches my shoulder. “Dude. Can you slow down for a second?”
I turn around and face Sandro.
“I’m going to deal with this once and for all. You can come with me, or you can stay here. Your choice.”
Frostbite’sparking lot is busy enough, but it takes me only seconds to spot a familiar red BMW.
Sandro drove us here in his car. I reach to open the passenger door so I can get out, but he clicks the lock into place.
“We need to talk about this.” His knee is bouncing.
I open my palm. “You got the lease?”
“Fuck the lease. You’ve got a gun tucked in your waistband, and I want to know what the hell you’re planning on doing in there.”
