“Why exactly are you here, again?”
He slides onto one of the bench seats and motions to the bench opposite him. “Have a seat.”
“I’m good standing, thanks.” I adopt a casual lean next to the door, both so I have an escape and because now I don’t trust Van’s brother. At all.
It’s about a thousand degrees in here, and I can feel the sweat dripping down my spine.
He makes a noise that sounds halfway to a laugh. “You’re the executor of my grandmother’s will.”
It’s a statement, not a question, so I don’t bother with a response.
He nods once and folds his hands on the table. He also tries to cross his legs but ends up hitting his knee on the crossbar. “She seemed to put a lot of responsibility in your hands. Especially for someone who wasn’t family.”
“I’ve lived next door to her my whole life. She was like family to me.”
“Mmm, yes. So I’ve been told. It must bother you that you had such a close relationship with her, close enough that she made you the executor of her will, and yet she didn’t leave you a damn thing.”
“She didn’t need to. And like you said, I’m not her family, so whatever she had wasn’t mine to claim. Where are you going with this, Bradley?”
He chuckles. “So impatient and unrefined. I bet you’re a lot of fun, aren’t you, Dillion? You sure you picked the right Firestone brother to get between the sheets with?”
“Good lord. You are a sexual harassment case in the making. Keep it up, and I’m going to show you how unrefined I am.”
He holds up his hands. “No need to get violent. Come on, Dillion, you and I know the real reason you’re with Van.”
“Which would be what?” I’ve about had it with this guy.
“Van is sitting on a gold mine, but you already knew that, didn’t you? Which is why you’re with him. You already knew what Bee’s place was worth, and now you’re trying to edge your way in and take what should be mine.” He jabs his own chest.
“You hate it here.”
“Not the point! The cottage should have been divided equally among the three of us, and it wasn’t. All I got was fifty grand, and Van got everything else. There are acres of land waiting to be developed.”
I laugh humorlessly. “You’re living in a dream world if you think you’re going to convince the town to let you subdivide Bee’s land and sell it off in parcels. Besides, you’d have to have the will reversed, and that is highly unlikely.” In that moment I realize Bradley already knows that. “Which is exactly what you’re trying to do.”
Bradley smiles brightly. “Wow, smart and beautiful. Now I know why Van is occupying his time with you.”
“I know what you’re trying to do here, but it’s not going to happen. I have things to do that don’t include listening to this crap. It’s time for you to leave.” I step out of the trailer and head for the house. My brother will most definitely be home. He’s not particularly threatening, but at least I won’t be alone with this asshole.
“Your father runs Footprint Renovations,” he says to my back.
I keep walking. It’s not like this isn’t common knowledge. Everyone knows who my dad is, and all he would’ve had to do is look him up on the internet or ask someone in town, and they’d tell him that.
“I hear his business has been doing well lately. Profiting off the wealthy. Making a real name for himself. Big difference from a couple of years ago, when he almost went under.”
I’m halfway to the house when I falter. I can feel the threat in his tone. I spin around and fight the urge to cross my arms, aware it’s a defensive maneuver that will paint me as weak in his eyes. I stalk back over and stop a few feet away. “Get to the point.”
His smarmy smile widens. “We could have a mutually beneficial relationship.” He nods once but doesn’t speak right away, baiting me, keeping me waiting. “I’ve heard he’s looking to expand the business. Seems risky, given everything that’s happening in your family.”
I bite, even though I don’t want to. “What are you talking about?”
“He’s working on the Bowman place right now. Everyone in town is talking about it. Lots of pull that family has. Lots of friends high up there too. Big opportunities for a small-town company, unless, say, something happens to tarnish his reputation. I mean, come on, you’ve got a brother with a DUI charge; who knows what other dirt someone could dig up with that kind of history. Like, say, perhaps the nasty gambling problem your uncle had . . .” He shrugs and arches a brow.
I cannot believe this guy. My uncle only had that one slipup a few years back, and since then he’s been in Gamblers Anonymous. Besides, he doesn’t touch the financials because of it. But the fact that Bradley knows about it shows that he has resources. Everyone has skeletons in their closets. “Is this blackmail? Extortion? What do you want?” I’m so frustrated and, frankly, starting to panic.
He thumbs over his shoulder.
“You want my trailer?” Obviously, I’m being cheeky.
He narrows his eyes. “I want what Donovan has.”
“Regular mind-blowing sex with someone he doesn’t have to pay to pretend to like him?” I’m probably going to regret saying that, but man, it was a good one.
“Oh, sweetheart.” He tsks and shakes his head. “Do you honestly think whatever is going on between you two is going to last?” He leans down, and I try to back away, but I’m trapped between him and his SUV. “Do you know why my brother has a thing for women like you?” He fingers a curl, and I bat his hand away. “Because it makes him feel better about himself. He likes projects, and you’re his newest one. What do you have to offer him, other than the obvious? You come from nothing, and if you don’t do what I want, I’ll destroy your family, and you’ll only have yourself to blame.”
“I can’t do anything to help you with the will even if I wanted to, which I don’t.”
“But you can say that Bee wasn’t in her right mind when she wrote it.” He pulls an envelope from his pocket. “You think you know this family, but you don’t. One way or another, I’ll find a way to get her will reversed.”
“Let me ask you something. Let’s say the will is invalidated. You’d only get one-third of a share. Minus what Bee already gave you. How does that help you?”
“My brother has nothing but this cottage; he’ll need the money. I can buy him out. And my sister.” He smirks. “You’ve met her. Do you think she wants this place? So you can either be on the right side of that deal or the wrong one. It’s up to you, but the wrong side will come with consequences you don’t like.”
I tip my chin up, defiant. “I’m on whatever side you’re not.”
He smiles, and his fingertips trail down my arm. I bat his hand away and suppress a shudder. He forces the envelope into my hand. “You should think good and hard before you say no. I’m only offering the opportunity once; after that, every loss is on you.”
Real fear settles under my skin, making it pebble. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“I can either help you or hurt you. Don’t take what I’m offering you, and I guess you’ll find out. I’ll be in touch soon.”
I crumple the envelope in my fist, and he backs off, finally allowing me to step out from between him and the car.
I want to knee him in the nuts, or slap the smug holier-than-thou look off his face. “I’d suggest not randomly showing up here again. Unless you’re interested in being used as target practice.”
He laughs as he rounds the hood of the SUV, opens the door, and lowers himself inside. The engine rolls over with a low purr, and he peels out, narrowly missing my foot on the way.
I wait until he’s gone before I let my shoulders sag and give in to the urge to rub my temple. I can feel the headache knocking behind my eye.
Billy appears on the deck, one crutch perched under his arm, hair a mess, sleep lines on his face despite it being the dinner hour. “Who was that? One of those hockey player guys?”
“I wish,” I mutter, not because they’re all built like Adonis and have that rough-and-tumble kind of look about them, but because they’re nicer to deal with than potential blackmailers. “Just some asshole looking to buy up some land that isn’t available.”
Billy nods solemnly. “Lot of that going on around here lately. I think the whole town is corrupt. It’s a conspiracy, you know?”
“What kind of conspiracy?”
“The north side is keeping us under their thumbs. They run the town, even though they only live here a few months out of the year. You know Bernie lives right on the edge, between the north and south side, and he fakes having our best interest in mind because he’s playing both sides.”
“How do you know this?”
“I worked on his house last year. I see things. And people talk. Last night I heard them down at the lake, talking about expanding.”
“How did you hear them?”
“My window was open, and I have good hearing. Great hearing.” He tugs on his earlobe. “I’m hungry. I’m going inside. We probably shouldn’t talk about this out here.” And with that he turns around and hobbles back into the house, leaving me baffled, worried, and anxious.
I smooth out the envelope and look around, paranoid. I shake my head at myself for allowing my brother’s conspiracy theories to affect me. Still, I head back to my trailer before I open it up. Inside is a check for ten grand and some legal documents. They look official, and they state that Bee was incompetent at the time she changed her will. There’s a space for my signature.
There’s also a list of the projects my dad and uncle have worked on in the past year, and one in particular is highlighted. There was a dispute regarding inflated charges, but I know it was resolved and was a simple misunderstanding. On top of that are reports on my brother’s DUI charge and all his misdemeanors and run-ins with local law enforcement from when he was a teenager. It’s not much, but it’s enough that I can see where Bradley is going with this.
I need to talk to Bernie and see what recourse we have. If any. So much for Van’s brother being unmotivated. It looks like he just needs the right thing to light a fire under his ass. Like blackmail.
My phone pings with a reminder that I have a dinner date with Van. I run my hand down my face and sigh. I don’t know how I’m going to get out of this situation without someone getting hurt in the process.
CHAPTER 23
PARANOID
Van
I’m standing at the edge of the trees that separate my property from Dillion’s, trying to understand what I’ve just seen. Dillion with my brother. It doesn’t make sense. I try to keep from overreacting. Maybe he tried to stop by and see me, and I was down at the lake so he checked in with Dillion.
Maybe the way he was in her personal space was nothing. Maybe I’m making things up in my head, but I don’t understand why he would be back here so soon after coming for a visit. Especially since he complained the entire time. Apart from when he was drugged, anyway.
Dillion’s brother comes out of the house, so I head back to the cottage, still searching for a way to rationalize things. I pace the length of the living room, my gaze landing on a framed photo of Bee and Dillion. They’re sitting on the front porch peeling peaches, likely for some kind of pie, since that was Grammy Bee’s specialty. And tarts. God, I miss those.
My phone rings, and I nab it from the kitchen counter. My stomach flips as my brother’s name appears on the screen. I answer the call, unable to keep my cool. “What are you doing back in Pearl Lake?”
“I had a little business with your girlfriend. She’s quite the little firecracker. I can see why you like her. You were always a fan of the ones who needed taming.”
“What business could you possibly have with Dillion?”
“Clearly I’m the one who got the brains in this family. I’m the one contesting the will, genius.”
“Why would you do that? You don’t even like it here.” But even as I ask the question, I already know the answer.
“Because it’s an investment property, you idiot. And because you got more than you deserve. That cottage was supposed to be split three ways, and because you’re the suck-up, she gave you more than your share. I’ve done some research, brother, and those big mansions on the other side of the lake go for millions. Once the will is reversed, I’ll have the property reassessed, and then I’ll get what’s rightfully mine.”
“Well, good luck with that; you’ll never make it happen.” But on the off chance he does, it’s going to be a challenge to find the money to buy him out, especially if he wants to sell the property off in pieces. “And I don’t understand why you didn’t come out and tell me you had a problem with the will instead of going behind my back.”
“I knew you’d never agree to sell, so what was the point? I realize your work ethic and mine differ, but I’m of the mindset that less is more. Why should I have to work my ass off for money when it’s sitting there, ripe for the taking? And the best part is, your girlfriend is going to help me.”
“Why the hell would Dillion help you? That doesn’t make sense.”
“Doesn’t it, though? Come on, Donny, do you really think she’s that into you? She’s been living next to a gold mine her entire life. She lives in a fucking trailer. She knows exactly what Bee’s property is worth. Imagine how much her family will benefit if that land is developed? All those homes being built. Her dad’s company would be set until he retires. It’s never been about you, Van. It’s about what you have and what she can get out of it. She’s trailer trash, looking for a way out.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Is it, though? Not that it matters, because I have a backup plan. She’s pretty loyal to her family. Moved from Chicago to come help out with the family business after her brother got a DUI. Which isn’t all that desirable when you’re counting on someone to run heavy machinery, is it? If I were to expose some family secrets, it wouldn’t bode well for business, now would it? Really think about it, Van. Do you honestly believe she’d side with you over her family on this? Anyway, it’s been nice chatting with you, but I have a meeting with my lawyer. Enjoy your evening.”
I sit there, staring at the blank screen, trying to figure out if Bradley has lost his mind. Or if I’ve lost mine.
Dillion shows up half an hour later, freshly showered, hair still damp. “Hey. How was your day?” She dumps a bag of groceries on the counter. “I thought we could have jerk chicken and corn for dinner. Does that sound good?”
I scan her face for signs of unease, but she seems fine. Not like she’s been scheming with my brother behind my back. If I hadn’t seen it with my own damn eyes, I’d think my brother was playing mind games with me. “Sure. That sounds great.” The words sound hollow.
She smiles and kisses me on the cheek as she passes, but she doesn’t make eye contact as she heads for the fridge. “You want a beer or anything?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
“We should shuck the corn outside, so there’s less of a mess to clean up afterward.” She grabs a beer and the tinfoil, and I follow her outside to the front porch.
“How was your day?” I take the cob of corn she passes me. I feel like I’m underwater, being dragged farther down the longer I sit here, waiting for some honesty from Dillion. My brother can’t be right about her. But then, he’s been sitting on a pile of resentment for God knows how long, biding his time and waiting for the opportunity to take me down. I don’t know who I can trust anymore.
She pats the chair next to hers. “It was okay. How about you?”
“Just another day. I talked to Bernie again. He still doesn’t know who’s contesting the will, but I guess it’s a matter of time before we find that out.”
She fumbles her cob of corn, and I catch it before it can hit the ground and pass it back to her. “Thanks.” She gives me a small, tremulous smile. “Bernie will help sort everything out.”
I wait for her to say something as we prepare di
nner, but she doesn’t. Instead she talks about the Bowman reno and how he and his friends all do these intense workouts in the lake.
She’s about to pull the corn off the barbecue when I lose my shit. “You wanna tell me why my brother stopped by to see you?”
This time when she drops the foil-wrapped corn, I don’t catch it. “What?”
“I saw you with him today. Just before you came over here, actually. Interesting that it wasn’t the first thing you mentioned.”
She turns off the barbecue and turns to face me. “Whatever you’re thinking, Van, you’re very, very wrong.”
The paranoia that’s been weighing me down for weeks is too much to handle. The missing money from the foundation, losing my job for something I didn’t do, and now my brother trying to cash in on Bee’s cottage by using the one person I felt like I could truly trust against me. “Really? ’Cause that’s not what it sounds like.”
Her eyes flare with panic. “I was going to tell you. I was waiting for the right time.”
“Really? When exactly is the right time to tell me you’re screwing me over?” I go off, unable to keep a lid on my frustration. “After I fucked you tonight? Would that have been an appropriate time to tell me you’re scheming behind my back with my fucking brother?”
Dillion’s jaw tics. “That’s not what’s going on. At all. And I’m pretty damn offended that it’s the first place your head went.”
“What the hell am I supposed to think, Dillion? You’ve been here for half an hour. You’ve had plenty of opportunity to tell me, and you didn’t take it.” I gave her the benefit of the doubt, but it’s only now, when confronted, that she’s come clean.
She leans against the deck railing. “I wanted to talk to Bernie first.”
“I bet you did. So you can see how many options you have.” I pace the length of the deck, stopping a few feet away from her. “Bradley called right after you two had your little visit. Don’t bother lying to me. I know he’s paying you off to help get the will reversed.”
Dillion’s lip curls. “Do you honestly believe I would screw you over like that? Go against Bee’s wishes? Listen to what you’re saying. How does it even make sense?”
Love Next Door Page 23
