“I love you more,” Ana said, wrapping her arms around Quinley.
They stayed like that for a minute or so, just hugging. “I should go see Rhys.”
“You should.”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“Quinley.”
“Fine, I’ll go today,” she countered with an eye roll as she straightened. “Maybe I’ll call my parents, too. See if they’re back in town. I wonder if my father will fire me first, or if I’ll quit first? That’d be something for the tabloids, wouldn’t it?”
ChapterSeventeen
Elias rolled by the gym on his way home to unload the truck. He didn’t stay when he saw the group of people waiting outside. The shopping center where the gym was located had no loitering signs posted, but those were ignored.
He kept driving and made it onto the island and down Dow Road without issue. The last thing he wanted to do was go to Easter dinner and be bombarded by his family. But getting out of it? Not so easy.
He made the turn off Dow onto a road leading toward the ocean. From there, he turned right and then right again, spotting the reporters lining his street. At the sight of his truck, cameras flashed and continued to do so while he hit the button for his garage and pulled up the driveway straight into it, remaining in the truck until the door was three-quarters of the way closed.
What a mess. He knew he should’ve expected his house to be surrounded but had hoped for the opposite. Movement in his side mirror caught his attention as someone literally rolled under his garage door, stopping it. The guy was wiry looking, wearing jeans and dress shirt, a lanyard with press credentials around his neck and his phone, flash on, in his hand.
“Mr. Blackwell, will you please give me a moment? Just answer a few questions, and I’ll go.”
Elias got out of the truck and straightened to his full height, which stood a solid eight to ten inches above the reporter. “Get out. Or get thrown out.”
“Mr. Blackwell??—”
Elias slammed a hand against the wall and hit the button to raise the door. “Last chance.”
“Are you and Quinley Anders having an affair? Why were you seen together after aweekaway? Is that why she ran away from the wedding and left her fiancé?”
Elias pointed to the street. “You can leave on your own, or I’ll make you leave. You’re trespassing on private property andinside my house.”
The door rose high enough that Elias stalked close and gently butfirmlypushed the man outside before grabbing the door and stopping it again so that it couldn’t go higher and reveal his face. That done, he pressed the control button attached to the wall immediately by the door and watched as it rumbled its way back down. A vehicle pulled into the driveway, and he heard Cole’s deep voice ordering the reporter off the property. Ordering them all back and to leave before the police were called.
Elias left everything in the truck for now and entered the house through the garage. He went to the front door just as Cole’s footsteps hit the small landing. Elias opened the door, careful to stay behind the panel.
“You need security until this blows over,” Cole said as he stepped over the threshold.
“I have you.”
“Too bad Quinley’s ex wouldn’t send a few men your way to handle those idiots.”
Elias grunted at the thought. “Yeah, I don’t see that happening.”
“Would you if you caught him making out with Quinley days after she bailed on your wedding?”
“We weren’t making out—much.”
A low laugh erupted from Cole. Elias had always admired that about Cole. That regardless of what his brother had seen during his time in the military overseas, regardless of all he’d been through, he still laughed. Though, to be fair, that laughter had increased since Ana had returned to Cole’s life.
“He came to see Ana at her boutique and inquired about you. You will be happy to note the guy reassured Ana that he wouldn’t hold Quinley’s actions against her or kick her out of her new store location in his hotel lobby.”
Elias winced. “Glad to hear it. Did he mention not holding it against you and Gage when it comes to the limo contract?”
“No word yet. Not that we’ve asked under the circumstances.”
Elias ran his hands over his head and opened the fridge, offering Cole a drink.
