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Ronan hummed while he furiously typed on a keyboard I could hear clicking in the background. Then he stopped, and the line went silent. “Bingo!” he said.
“What do you have?” I held my breath while I waited for him, leaning forward in my chair as if he were sitting in the room with me.
“Looks like it went to a Dallas Hall.” Ronan whistled. “With a massive cash offer too. Jesus fuck. He can have it.”
A red filter clouded my vision, and I didn’t hear what he said when he continued. Dallas had bought the building, and with an offer bold enough to make a billionaire with more money than I can fathom curse.
His promise to Amanda echoed in my mind. You’ll regret this.
“That son of a bitch,” I said through gritted teeth.
Ronan stopped talking on the other line, realizing I was no longer listening to him. “You know the guy?”
“Unfortunately. Thanks for the help.” I didn’t like to owe anyone a favor, especially someone like the Moretti brothers. You never know what someone with that many secrets may need from you, but I knew my dues. “I owe you one.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “If this guy becomes a problem, let me know. I’ll take care of him.”
“I appreciate it.” That was a favor I shouldn’t cash in.
***
I slammed my fist against the door, ignoring the slight pain in my knuckles and the way the sound echoed in the quiet neighborhood. The lights were on inside, so I knew he would be home. I knocked again when the door didn’t open instantly.
When the door finally clicked and swung open, Dallas looked confused. “Well, this is a surprise,” he said, crossing his arms. “I have to say, it’s not a terribly pleasant one either.”
“Can it, Texas,” I said, pushing past him and into the house.
He closed the door behind me, forcing a quiet chuckle. “What can I do for you?”
I fought the urge to wipe the smirk from his face with the back of my hand, and when he danced from one foot to the other, I wanted to throw him against the wall so he’d stop moving. “The industrial building downtown. That’s an awful lot for a cash offer.”
Dallas raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about?”
“Don’t start with me. I know you went to the seller with a ridiculous all-cash offer they couldn’t turn down.” I rushed towards him, glad when he stumbled back until his back hit the wall. His eyes flicked around like he was looking for someone to help him, but his body crouched.
“I warned her,” he said, slowly standing up straight.
When I slammed my hand against the wall, the sound made him wince. I left it planted there and leaned into him. “Listen here, you little prick—”
“No, you listen.” Suddenly any timidness he had been showing had slipped away from him, and he pushed off the wall. His chest met mine, and he forced me back a step. “You don’t have any right to tell me what to do. You’ve done enough.”
Dallas’s breath was rancid like old coffee or sour milk, and I stepped back, smirking when he slightly lost his balance. “I haven’t even begun to do anything yet.” I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him. “Once I do, there’s no going back. This is your only warning, so tread lightly.”
I turned away from him, stalking towards the door. If I didn’t leave his house, I was going to leave evidence of my frustration behind in the form of bruises on his face and dents in the wall. Neither of us wanted to deal with the fallout from that. I thought about Amanda leaving the office and heading home, and I’d rather be there.
“You can’t just take my girl and then walk in here like I’m not going to be pissed off!” he shouted after me. When I turned around to face him, his chest was heaving.
“Let’s get one thing straight.” I took large steps back towards him, backing him into the wall again and jabbing my finger into his chest. “She’s my girl now. Be mad. But stay away from her, or you’ll be the one with regrets.”
Chapter thirty
Amanda
I flicked the lighter, watching the tips of the bundle spark and turn to dancing flames. The smoke was dark at first and filled the air, and I blew gently on it to put it out. When the smoke had turned to a softer, light gray, I inhaled deeply. The smell of burning sage and herbs comforted me, and I waved the tightly wrapped stick in front of me, closing my eyes.
When the door opened and slammed shut, I jumped. “Oh, it stinks in here,” Drake said, covering his nose. “What is burning?”
I turned towards him, swallowing the butterflies that danced in my chest when I saw him. “It’s sage.” I held up the smoking bundle.
