“The guy whose property you’re currently standing on.”
“I happen to know the Jacksons. They’re good friends of my dad. One call, and you’re fucking out of here,” Brett threatens.
Anxiety fans through me. I can’t get Rowan evicted. Brett’s family is powerful—maybe the most powerful family in town.
I’m about to butt in to try and defuse the situation, when Rowan says, “Go ahead. Call them. But I’m not sure what the Jacksons have to do with any of this, given I bought the house.”
What? Heboughtit?
Brett’s gaze stays on Rowan, but a hint of uncertainty passes through his eyes.
He didn’t know either. He’s not used to being challenged like this. Everyone in town treats him and his family like royalty.
But Rowan isn’t like everyone. Maybe it’s because he’s new here, and he doesn’t understand the power the Lewis family has.
Or maybe he just doesn’t give a crap.
I kind of admire that about him.
Huh.
“Blake,” Brett grinds out. “You can’t be serious about this.”
“I’m serious. I’ve really got to go. I’ll see you at Frostbite.”
When Brett doesn’t move, Rowan crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re still on my property.”
He sneers at Rowan before spinning on his heel and stalking away toward his car.
I tug on my bottom lip with my teeth. I know Brett, and he’s not the type to let a slight like this slip.
“Let’s go inside,” Rowan says, his voice a low rumble.
I nod, but as soon as we get inside and the front door closes behind us, I turn to Rowan. “You should be careful around him. His family is powerful.”
His eyes darken until they appear nearly black. “I can handle him and his family.”
I stand in his foyer, my breaths coming out short and quick. “So I guess we’re doing this, huh?”
A small smirk creeps onto his lips. “I guess we are.”
CHAPTER 16
BLAKE
The day doesn’t seem to ever end. After Brett leaves, one of the firefighters accompanies me inside the house so that I can grab some clothes and essential items. I take the first things I can find in my bedroom and get out of there. I’m just not emotionally ready to face the damage head-on today.
I wait until the fire department finishes their investigation, confirming the fire most likely spread from an unattended fireplace, and provide my statement.
“I was sure the darned thing went out,” I say to the fire marshal.
“Did you stir the ashes? Sprinkle some water on them?”
“Well, no,” I admit sheepishly. I was too damn tired to do all that.
“Sometimes the fire might look like it’s out, but the embers are still burning, and it can reignite.”
“That must have been what happened.”
