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“I have no home. I have nothing I’ve worked so hard for. I had to start all over and—”
“You’re moving back in with me,” I interjected, twirling a strand of her hair around my finger.
Pulling away, she peered up at me. “What about my things?”
“I’ll replace whatever is destroyed and take care of you.” I kissed her forehead. “I wanted to ask you to move back in, anyway, but hadn’t gotten the chance, yet. I didn’t want to stress you out.”
She remained silent, staring blankly at the floor. My heart ached for her. I wanted to protect her. She was my entire world.
Ian groaned. “About that.”
Amber and I lifted our heads simultaneously, my gaze shifting to anger. “My house is fucked too?”
He shook his head. “No, but they will definitely be watching it.”
“And ours,” Jenna murmured under her breath.
Ian’s gaze snapped to hers, nodding. “Yep, but he won’t attack this house. He isn’t that stupid. He actually tried to pretend he didn’t know anything about the things happening, other than admitting he stole the file.”
“Why would he have left a note that saidCheckmate, though, after taking the file?” Amber rolled her eyes. “I mean, I heard him too, so if he was actually trying to surprise you, why would he have left a note?”
“Wait, so what happened tonight when you guys were in the Blue Lounge?” I crossed my arms, confused.
Ian leaned on the wall next to the fireplace, spilling every detail about the denial, then Amber’s dance and the way the men conducted themselves. It was evident Alejandro didn’t expect anyone to figure him out just yet. It was as if he were dropping breadcrumbs for hints but when Ian got closer to discovering he was behind it all, Alejandro would turn on his charm in an attempt to sweep any suspicion away.
Ian wasn’t an idiot. He was a well-seasoned businessman in his thirties now. While he was loyal to the people he considered friends, he was extremely hard to deceive. Once you were on his radar, he would stop at nothing to end you. Unfortunately, Alejandro fooled him. The question was,Why? What did Ian do to cause it?
Luke mentioned he had a theory but had yet to share it. Accusations in their world were taken seriously, so I was sure he remained quiet about it until he got more proof. At this point, we all knew Alejandro was guilty, but to what extent?
“So, I want you both to stay here until I get to the bottom of this.” Ian didn’t give us a choice in the matter. It was a clear order. “We can go assess the damage at her apartment in the morning and I’ll have my guys pack up whatever is salvageable. We can go to your place next and get you enough stuff to last a while.”
“I appreciate the offer,” I sighed, pressing my fingers to my creased forehead, “but, you’re about to have a new baby and it would just be too much for us to impose on your family for an indefinite amount of time.”
“You guys are welcome here as long as it takes, you know that,” Jenna offered with a shy smile, until it was as if a light bulb went off inside her head. “The house behind ours is for sale!”
Amber and I exchanged a glance before turning back to Jenna. She was leaning forward, eagerly clasping her hands together.
Ian lifted his hand, stopping whatever she was about to reply. “We can worry about that later. I—”
“I hate to interrupt, but Mila needs me at home.” Tyler stepped into the room. “She texted me while I was handling that thing you asked me to. One of the kids isn’t feeling well and woke her up.” He stepped over to Jenna, leaning down to hug her tightly. “I love you.”
Luke and I exchanged glances. Tyler and Jenna were close as ever now, but I’d never seen him hug her the way he just did, and he’d never told her he loved her in that tone. Maybe it was afather thingwhen a kid is sick, and I just didn’t understand because I couldn’t relate.
“Love you too.” Jenna leaned into his embrace. “You okay, Ty?”
“Yeah, I just need to hurry.” He turned to the room, making eye contact with each of us. “Goodnight, everyone.”
We exchanged our goodbyes as Ian walked him to the foyer, letting him out.
“Keep me updated, please.” Tyler’s voice echoed from the open front room.
Amber stood. “I’m going to get some sleep.”
“Amber, if you need anything, please let me know.” Jade, who’d been quiet until now, murmured.
Amber looked down at her, giving her a slight nod, trying her best to be pleasant, though she wasn’t fooling anyone. “I’m going to go wash my mug, then go to bed. Goodnight, you guys.” She pressed her lips to mine. “Goodnight, baby.” Trudging to the kitchen, she disappeared through the archway.
“Uh, I’m going to go to bed too.” I said, as Ian stepped back into the room. “Goodnight.”
