“I told you to stay home if you didn’t want to be here for this.”
“I want to be here for this, but what exactly isthis?”
“This fucker’s getting out of hand,” I growl. “It’s one thing to be a raging idiot, it’s another to fuck us on a deal. I’m going to make it clear his actions have consequences.”
“You can’t kill him.”
“I’m not going to kill him.” But I am going to scare him into leaving Blake and me the fuck alone. “Promise.”
Sandro seems reluctantly satisfied with that. He reaches into his jacket and takes out the lease. “Here,” he mutters.
“Hold onto it for me for a while longer. You’ve got another copy somewhere?”
“Yeah. It’s digitally signed.”
“Good. Watch and learn.”
We get out of the car. I hold the large wooden door open for a woman with a stroller as she comes out of the restaurant, and then we go inside.
The hostess looks familiar, but I don’t remember her name until I spot it on the name tag. “Hey, Carly. Your boss around today?”
She smiles. “Sure. He’s in his office.”
“Got a question for him, mind showing me to it?”
“No problem, follow me.”
She leads us through the restaurant and to the back before stopping in front of a door. “This is it.”
“Thanks.” I give her a ten-dollar bill. She shoots me a smile before going back out front.
My closed fist taps on the door. Once. Twice.
While I wait for Brett, I adjust my sleeves, tugging them back in place. It’s been a fucking nightmare finding clothes that fit me around here, but this jacket is perfect. Smooth, supple leather, well-sewn lining, and a layer of wool inside that keeps me warm even when it drops below freezing.
There’s a shuffling sound on the other side of the door, and then the lock clicks open.
I smile. “How you doing, Brett?”
Blake’s ex doesn’t look too surprised to see us, but he still asks, “What are you doing here?”
“Mind if we chat inside?” I don’t give him a chance to answer before I press in on him, forcing him backward into his office.
He stumbles, his gaze narrowing. “What the fuck?”
“I should be asking you that question. Where are the keys to the storefront Sam and I leased yesterday?”
“I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t you?” My smile grows wider. “No problem. I’ll refresh your memory.”
I grab him by the neck and slam him against the wall. He wheezes, clawing at my arm.
I glance over my shoulder. “Sam, come here.”
Sandro appears by my side, his lips pressed into a thin line.
“Give me our signed lease, please.”
