Zeb saunters toward us, pure evil lurking in his eyes, and when I turn back to Morgan, his face has gone pale.
“Morgan, are you okay?” I ask, but I should have known I wouldn’t get an answer. I haven’t given the kid a reason to trust me yet.
My mind goes to Tanner. I haven’t given him a reason to trust me either.
“Listen to me,” I whisper urgently, knowing my time is limited. “If you need help, I can help you. Just say the word.”
He still ignores me, and a solid hand lands on my shoulder. I jerk away from its weight and turn toward the newcomer, my face a mask of indifference.
“Look who it is—the hot shot,” Zeb says, the menace in his eyes growing as his attention turns from me to his son and back again. “I wasn’t aware you knew my kid.”
There’s a threat in his voice that I don’t like, especially when Morgan flinches.
“He plays baseball for me,” I say, but I immediately know it’s the wrong thing.
Fear flashes through Morgan’s eyes before he covers it with a scowl, but it was there, no matter how brief. A different kind of rage burns through my veins because when I look at Morgan, it’s Tanner I see standing there—and I can’t imagine allowing anyone to put that kind of fear in my kid’s eyes.
“I wasn’t aware he was playing baseball, but good for you, hotshot. I’ll be sure to stop and watch a game.” Zeb’s voice is condescending as he stares me down, waiting for me to back down, but I refuse to blink. I’ve played this game with plenty of men like him and won every time.
Zeb’s eyes narrow, and I prepare myself for the swing when Zane rushes out of a nearby aisle.
“Chief,” he says, his voice more serious than when we split. “There’sbeen another fire. We better go.”
I’m still watching Zeb when Zane announces the news, and I don’t miss the smirk on his mouth when Zane mentions the fire.
A bad feeling settles into my gut, and I’ve learned that that feeling is rarely wrong.
“You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that fire, would you, Zeb?” I ask, keeping my voice casual enough that I can’t be blamed for false accusations but demanding enough that he knows I’m not playing games.
Despite what Eric said at the board meeting, the community building hasn’t been ruled as arson yet because we haven’t found any concrete proof, but as more fires crop up, I can’t help but see the coincidences.
The man’s smirk grows wider. “Not a thing, hotshot.” He turns his attention to Morgan and barks, “Come on. It’s time for us to go.”
Everything in me warns me to stop them—that when Morgan walks out of here, he won’t be safe—but I have no proof of that, and without evidence, there’s nothing I can do to stop them.
So I watch them walk away until they disappear outside, and then I turn to Zane. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 16
Theo
Theo:I thought we agreed I would pick you up before the game today. Why are you not at your house?
Lily:No, you agreed. I didn’t text you back. I’m perfectly capable of driving myself.
Theo:Hopeless…
Lily:Sorry, there’s no one at this number by that name.
Theo:You’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.
Lily:Thank you.
I growl, throwing my phone in the passenger seat and pulling away from the curb. Lily is exasperating, which means she’s impossible to get out of my head.
It’s the first baseball game of the season, and I think I might puke. I don’t even think I was this nervous when I played for the state championship my senior year, but the only thing I gained from that game was a ring I don’t wear. There’s more riding on this one. My relationship with Tanner. My reputation in this town. I’m not naive enough to think people won’t be watching my every move while I’m out on that field. In fact, it’s the very reason Lily and I chose to make this our first official outing as a “couple,” which only adds to the pressure.
When I pull in, Lily’s car is already waiting in the parking lot. She’ssitting in the driver seat, swiping a light pink lipstick over her lips, and the sight is so distracting that I nearly drive onto the sidewalk. I slam on my brakes and jerk my gaze away from Lily, but not before I see the sarcastic smirk on her lips.
