“Is this guy an actual threat?” Marcus asks. “’Cause I’ve got 911 on speed dial.”
If there’s one thing I’m sure of when it comes to Garrick, it’s that the guy would never actually hurt me. He’s had many opportunities, many reasons, and he’s never even raised his voice to me.
“He’s harmless,” I say.
“We’re going to hang in your office. It seems like you two have some things to work out.” Francis waggles his eyebrows as he walks by. I roll my eyes. He thinks every straight guy wants to sleep with me.
I glare at Garrick, who looks like he’s wishing to be anywhere but here. “I didn’t realize they were your friends.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Would that have made any difference? You wanted to scare the shit out of me? It worked.”
He sets the chainsaw on the floor. “Maybe I went too far. This whole thing has gone too far. Can we just call a truce?”
I tap my fingers on my arms. “After you’ve terrorized me in my home? Now’s when you want to call a truce? You’re delusional if you think I’m going to agree to that without some sort of formal apology or jewelry, probably both.”
He sighs. “If we don’t end this now, we’re just going to keep trying to outdo each other.” He points at the pile of I hate Christmas stickers on my coffee table. “How many times were you planning to stick those back on my truck?”
“As many as it takes for you to stop telling everyone in this town I’m a terrible mayor.”
“I’m not telling anyone anything.”
I stare him down and just wait. Lilith pushes off my chest and I let her hop down to the floor, where she immediately winds around Garrick’s legs like he’s her best friend.
His shoulders slump. “Fine. I might have told a few people you’re determined to ruin my business, but it’s not like I’m lying.”
My chest feels funny and I rub it. “You don’t know me, Garrick, and you’ve never even asked me why—”
“I don’t care why. All I need to know is you’re the reason I can’t get the permits I need. You’re the reason I had to cancel a tour last week, because I’m no longer allowed to borrow city vehicles. You’re the one coming in here, wanting to change this town, before you even understand how it works.”
He is unbelievable. My hands are shaking with the adrenaline let down after he scared the crap out of me and now he’s going to insult me? “This is your idea of calling a truce? Your negotiation skills could use some work. No wonder demanding more permits is the only way you can come up with to expand your business. There’s not enough land in the world to entertain guests if you can’t offer them a compelling expedition.” I’m really just talking out of my ass now. I know nothing about his business, but I know a man who thinks a chainsaw is a good way to open a dialogue probably never paid attention in business class.
His cheeks redden and his jaw ticks. He throws up his hands and stomps toward the door. “Fine. Forget the fucking truce. I’m not stopping until you’re out of office, Demon. I’m going to dowhatever I have to do to save my town and my business. You don’t like that? Get ready for the fight of your life.”
I crinkle my nose like I’m unimpressed. “You seriously think your little pranks are going to scare me enough to make me quit my job? There’s nothing worse you can do to me than you’ve already done.”
He grabs his chainsaw and looks back at me with an expression so full of anger and frustration I doubt my own words. “You have no idea, Demon. Absolutely no idea.”
“You’re the one who has no idea, Garrick. You seriously don’t want to mess with me.” I stuff my shaking hands in my pockets and pretend a confidence I definitely don’t feel.
He pulls open the door. “You’ve brought this on yourself. I’m not even going to feel bad about it when I take you down.”
“You’re going to feel terrible when I take you down.”
He slams the door behind him and is gone.
“That went well,” Francis says as he walks out of my office, Marcus behind him.
“We need a new plan.” My mind’s already whirring over the possibilities. “One that will convince him to leave me the hell alone.”
Marcus grins. “I knew it. You like him.”
Francis and I stare at him. “What about any of that makes you think I like him?” I hate Garrick Evergreen with every fiber of my being. What kind of asshole looks hot wielding a chainsaw?
“If you didn’t like him, you’d just ignore him and hope he goes away. Clearly, you’re only continuing to play his game because you want an excuse to see him more often.”
“That’s ridiculous.” He might have a point, but I’ll admit it when Yuletide celebrates Halloween instead of Christmas. If there’s any truth to what Marcus is saying, it’s that playing this game with Garrick is a pleasant distraction from the disasterthat is my first term as mayor. “I don’t let anyone treat me this way. He’s going to pay.”
“We’re here for you, girl,” Francis says. “Whatever you need.”
