by Webster, K
Ox thumps his tail on the wood floors, eager for me to rid him of the spectacle he’s wearing. Once I’ve untied it and tossed it on Brie’s desk, Ox lets out a relieved sigh before stretching back out and firing off a rancid dog fart.
“Not again,” Brie gripes, grabbing her Bath & Body Works shit and trying to hide the stank with sweet pea.
I chuckle as I walk over to my desk. She’s left me a message from Fernando.
The Rainbow Vigilante strikes again.
“Is he pissed?” I turn to regard my friend.
“Nah,” she says, setting her spray down and kicking her boots up onto the top of her desk. “He said he feels like he’s a part of an honorary club now. However, I did get a call from Ned, who is, in fact, pissed.”
“Ned can get over it,” I grumble.
“Doubtful. He said if you don’t do anything about it, he’s going to have Paul write a front-page piece about what a slacker you are.”
I wince at the thought of Dad reading that article. He’d be mortified. As much as I think this shit is a waste of time, I know I need to address it. If only the Rainbow Vigilante left clues.
“If we were a normal city, we could pull up the CCTV footage and find the culprit,” Brie says, mirroring my thoughts. “I wouldn’t worry about Ned’s and Paul’s threats, though. No one reads the newspaper anyway.”
All the old people do.
Including my father.
“I’ll walk over to Jarrett’s to see if he happened to see anything,” I start, but then pause as an idea comes to me. “Better yet, I’m headed to Granger’s.”
“Granger’s?” Her brows knit together in confusion. “Cato said that Jarrett said they’re bitches.”
“This town gossips too much,” I grumble. “Addison is a nice woman. It’d be great if this town could be a little more welcoming to them.”
Guilt flashes in her wide eyes. “Ugh. We’re just like them, aren’t we?”
Our parents.
“Unfortunately,” I mutter back. “Just give them a chance. Maybe have some of your girlfriends go visit or something.”
“On it, Jax. And I’ll tell Cato to tell Jarrett to stop being a gossipy girl, too.”
I give her a wave before leaving the building to face the dreary weather. The sun is absent today and snowflakes flitter around, threatening of something worse. Shoving my hands into my coat pockets, I hurry across the street to Granger’s. My mind keeps drifting to this morning’s argument with Dante.
His touch.
Fuck, how I wanted him to make me come.
The bastard was just toying with me, though.
I want to hate the guy with every fiber of my being, but something about him also stirs up something I thought I’d buried long ago. Burning lust for the opposite sex. When I lost Kian, I thought I mostly lost the desire for men. Cato and I had been a mistake. Kian was the love I let get away. But my blinding attraction for men?
That was a high school thing.
Since, it’s been a background thought. An ache. A memory I was trying to forget.
Now, it’s forefront on my mind.
His tongue. His hand. His dick.
It pisses me off because if I’m going to allow these feelings to come roaring back, it should be for Kian. I should be having these encounters and fantasies of him.
Not the smug New York bastard.
Smile, you’re on camera.
I open the door, relaxing at the sound of the bells, and strut into Addison’s shop. She grins when she sees me.
“Sheriff! How did the lady like the flower?” she asks, perking up.
“Absolutely loved it,” I say, smiling back. “My friend Brie, down at the station, said she might come down to check your shop out soon too.”
The relief in her eyes makes me feel like a million bucks. I may not like people like Dante Kincaid rolling into my town trying to run the show, but people like Addison Granger should feel welcome as any other Brigs Ferry Bay resident.
“What can I help you with today?”
“Actually, I was hoping I could take a look at your CCTV footage.” I gesture across the street to Comida’s. “There was some vandalism that took place last night.”
Her brows furrow. “Oh, how terrible. You’re more than welcome to take a look. Does Fernando need anything? We’d be glad to help.”
“I’ll pass on the message. For now, let’s see if we can’t catch a glimpse of this culprit.”
She opens her laptop at the register and then pulls up the CCTV app. Once she has it loaded, she squints as she accesses the recording. “Oh,” she squeaks. “Around three in the morning. Look.”
I walk around the counter to see what she’s referring to. Sure enough, around that time, a figure dressed in dark clothes and a hoodie, passes by her shop. The person is small in stature, like Addison or Kian, and wears a black backpack.
“Do you recognize him?” she asks, frowning at me. “Or her?”
“No,” I grunt. “And when the suspect crosses the street to do the vandalizing, the feed is too grainy to make anything else out.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help.”
“This is good,” I assure her. “Can you print this for me? I’m going to have Paul run it in the BFB Daily Herald to see if it produces any leads.” I tip my head at her. “I’ll make sure to also have him write up what a help Granger’s was.”
“And that we’re running a twenty-percent off sale for anyone who might have any leads,” she says, a conspiratorial smile on her face.
Chuckling, I nod as I hand her one of my business cards. “That too. You can email me anything you learn. Good luck with business.”
“Thanks to the Rainbow Vigilante, I think things are finally looking up.”
Killing two birds with one stone feels good.
More business for Addison and an article in the paper to show Sheriff Bell is actively hunting for the perp so Dad doesn’t think I’m a disgrace to the Bell name.
Now if only I could figure out what to do with Dante Kincaid…
Dante
“Eleven rooms,” I tell Rhett over the phone. “And, even though it’s a B&B, we’re hoping to host some events there too. It’d be a great location for a wedding or even a small family reunion.”
“Are the three of you going to stay there long-term?”
“Shelly will live on site because she’ll be doing all the day-to-day duties. I’ll handle the marketing and financial side, which won’t require me and Callan to stay there. Plus, I love my sister, but we’ve only been here for a few weeks and I’m already eager to find my own place.”
The last thing I want to do is bring a guy back home with me so my sister can razz us the next morning. When I hook up with someone, I’m pretty clear about my intentions up front. A night or two—or three if they’re a really good lay—and then I’m done. Shelly would make the entire thing awkward by chatting their damn ear off and getting to know them in a way I don’t care to.
“I wish I had a room for you,” Rhett says, interrupting my thoughts, “but I’ve hit a snag.”
“With the construction?”
“With the city planner,” he grumbles. “He’s being a dick about zoning and environmental codes that need meeting before I can continue.”
“You’re from New York. Hopping over hurdles is kind of your thing.”
“The codes in question are a little more ironclad in Brigs Ferry Bay.” He sighs heavily. “I’m going to have to get an attorney involved, I think. Regardless, a late spring grand opening isn’t going to happen.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Make the people in this town take the frozen sticks out of their asses. My building will be more environmentally safe than probably ninety percent of the ones already in existence. It’s all just a power play by the city to discourage us new builders.”
“These fuckers around here are less than accommodating to newbies, that’s for damn sure.”
&nbs
p; We continue to chat until Leo, the owner of Blue Shark Auto Repair, waves me over. I end the call with Rhett and head over to the hot mechanic.
“What’s the damage?” I ask, pulling out my wallet.
He scratches at his scruffy beard, smearing oil in the process. “We popped the dent out and buffed it out. Good as new. It’ll be four.”
Four grand feels high, even for a Range Rover, but it needs doing. I start fishing out hundreds. His eyes widen and his cheeks burn bright red when I push the wad of hundreds his way.
“That’s twenty-two. I’ll have to use my card for the rest,” I say with a sigh. “You do take cards, right?”
He blinks rapidly before taking four hundreds off the top and pushes the rest toward me. “Hell, Mr. Kincaid. We didn’t repaint the whole damn car. Four hundred is all.”
“Four hundred?” I ask, disbelief in my tone. “That’s it?”
“You’re not in New York anymore.” He chuckles and sets my keys on the counter. “If you bring her in for an oil change, I’ll knock ten percent off for a returning customer.”
So maybe not everyone in this town is an asshole.
“I appreciate you, Leo. You’re a good man.” I’m tucking my money back into my wallet when the door chimes with a new customer.
“Mayor Bell,” Leo greets. “Time for Patricia’s oil change already?”
Turning, I take in the mayor of this town. Also known as Sheriff Jaxson Bell’s father. As soon as I lay eyes on the rugged man, I know they’re cut from the same cloth. The only difference between the two men is that Mayor Bell’s hair is graying and his face is lined a bit more than Jax’s. Regardless, he’s a handsome older man.
“No,” Mayor Bell says. “Just stopping in to see if you had anyone wanting to buy Zak’s car yet.”
Leo shakes his head. “No bites yet, but I have it on my Facebook page listed.”
Mayor Bell nods before scanning his gaze over me. “You’re new around here. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Dean Bell.”
I offer my hand, flashing him my polite, business smile. “Dante Kincaid. I bought the Howe property and am building the B&B there.”
His features harden, but his fake smile remains affixed. “Glad to have you here. We’re always eager to welcome new folks here, especially new commerce.”
Liar.
“Happy to hear it, Mayor Bell.”
“Please. Call me Dean. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll do what I can to assist your transition into the wonderful Brigs Ferry Bay.”
Okay, buddy, you offered.
“In that case, I would like to get your advice on something.” I straighten my tie and give him my friendliest smile. “If a friend was having issues with some building codes, who would he speak to in order to get that ironed out?”
He stiffens, his eyes flashing much like Jax’s do. “I could speak to the city planner—”
“He’s actually the problem,” I throw back. “Maybe you could run interference. Find out what the issue is and help my friend so he can move forward with construction. I know the good people of Brigs Ferry Bay are happy to have new business as you’ve said, so this will only ensure it moves along faster.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” He retrieves a business card from his pocket and hands it to me. “You can reach me here.”
“I appreciate your help, Dean. You should stop by the B&B and take a look sometime.” I smirk at him. “Especially since your son is dating my sister. Looks like we might see a lot of each other in the near future.” I chuckle. “Hell, we might even be family one day.”
His face pales at my words. If it’s scandalous that his son might be dating the new B&B lady in town, I could only imagine the look on his face if he knew his “straight” son let me suck his dick.
“I’m sure Shelly would love to see Patricia again, too,” I tell him. “Thanks again. I’ll see you around.”
I’m gloating over my win on the way to my car when my phone rings.
“Hello?” I chirp, a victorious grin on my face.
“Is this Mr. Kincaid?”
“Speaking.”
“This is Principal Hayworth at Brigs Ferry Bay School,” the man says, making my blood run cold. “We’re going to need you to come up here. Callan got into a fight.”
A fight?
Callan is broody as fuck but not a fighter.
“I’m on my way.”
Until I moved to Brigs Ferry Bay, I’d never seen a school that accommodated K-12th grades. Most towns have elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Here, they cram them all into one building. So, as I make my way to the principal’s office, I pass by a kid no more than six years old who wet his pants being escorted to the bathroom by what appears to be a high school aged older sibling based on their similar appearances. It’s frustrating to think Callan got into a fight with little kids nearby. He knows better than to fight.
When I enter the small office, I find two boys sitting side by side, both of them scowling. One is Callan and the other looks familiar.
“What happened?” I ask upon greeting.
Both kids look up.
“Mr. Kincaid,” Mr. Hayworth says, exiting his office to come to stand beside me. “Why don’t we take this into my office so we can talk about what Callan did?”
Callan’s eyes glaze over with tears, which gives me the only answer I need.
“What you need to say to me, you can say right here,” I clip out. “I’m extremely interested to know what you claim my brother did.”
Mr. Hayworth winces. “Very well,” he grumbles. “Callan was at his locker when Zak, er Mr. Bell, walked by. Mr. Bell…” He pauses as to consider his words carefully. “Claims Callan made eye contact with him, called him a few nasty names, and then shoved him.”
“It’s what happened,” Zak growls, reminding me very much of his older brother and father. “I’m not claiming anything.”
Callan grimaces.
“Did you do that?” I ask Callan.
“He deserved it,” my brother spits out. “For calling me a fairy.”
I gape at Zak whose face turns pink.
“W-What? I didn’t call you a fairy. Why would I call you that?” Zak demands, stuttering over his words.
“I know it was you!” Callan bellows. “If you have something to say, say it to my face.”
The size difference is almost laughable. Zak is broad-shouldered and muscular. Callan isn’t a large guy like myself. He and Shelly are both built like Mom. The image of Callan trying to fight with some kid who looks like he could bench him is ridiculous.
“Enough,” Mr. Hayworth says. “We don’t tolerate fighting at this school.” He lets loose a heavy sigh. “Which is why you’re both being suspended the rest of today and tomorrow. It’ll give you each a few days to cool off.”
“No,” Zak croaks. “My parents will kill me. I can’t get suspended again.”
Again?
Callan flinches, looking the least bit guilty. Before I can open my mouth, Sheriff Bell strides into the office, rippling with authority. As soon as Zak sees his brother, he groans.
“You called him?” Zak hisses at Mr. Hayworth.
“He sure did,” Jax barks out. “When Mom and Dad don’t answer their phones, it’s me who has to come rescue your ass.” To Mr. Hayworth, Jax says, “What did he do this time?”
Mr. Hayworth grimaces. “Fighting Mr. Kincaid here.”
Jax’s shoulders tense and he slowly turns to regard me. I can’t help but roam my eyes over his front, letting them linger at his dick I’d been rubbing just this morning, before finally meeting his stare.
“Sheriff Kincaid. Long time no see,” I say with a smirk.
His jaw clenches and he tears his gaze from me, pinning it on Mr. Hayworth. “Why were they fighting?”
It seems the Kincaids and Bells are good at that sort of thing.
“Callan says Zak called him a fairy,” Mr. Hayworth mutters. “They got into a shoving match
before one of the teachers broke it up.” He looks down at his loafers. “This makes it his third offense, though. And Dean said…” He trails off, not finishing his statement.
Jax curses under his breath before turning his anger on his brother. “You seriously screwed up, man. It’s like you forgot who our father is.”
Zak’s shoulders slump and I catch Callan frowning.
“With Callan being a minor,” Mr. Hayworth says in a tight voice, “I couldn’t overlook it as a schoolyard brawl. Zak is eighteen now. It had to be addressed.”
Fuck.
I don’t like where this is headed.
“Boys will be boys,” I say, hoping to take the heat off Zak. Callan’s not as innocent as he looks. There’s more to the story and it’s not right for Zak to take the brunt of it. “I’m sure they’ll move past this and become friends. No one is pressing charges or trying to bring down the law on Zak.”
Jax flashes a grateful smile at me before gesturing for Zak to stand up. “Let’s get you home so you can pack.”
Zak’s eyes water and his chin quivers at his brother’s words. He may be eighteen, but he’s just a kid still. Based on the horrified expression on Callan’s face, he feels like shit for the turn of events.
“To the car,” I bark out at Callan. “We’ll talk about this when we get home.”
He storms out of the office, not bothering to look back at me. I give Mr. Hayworth a nod before following my brother outside to the parking lot. Jax and Zak walk out, side by side, both guys frowning hard.
What did I miss?
“Sheriff,” I call out. “A quick word?”
He squeezes Zak on the shoulder and gestures for him to get in the SUV before walking over to me. “I can’t seem to escape you, can I?”
My first inclination is to tease and flirt with him. To remind him of how his dick doesn’t seem eager to escape. But my brother comes first, and it’s evident his does too.
“Is Zak in some kind of trouble?” I ask, frowning at him.
He scrubs his palm down his face. “He has trouble conforming to Dad’s rigid rules. Dad warned him if he kept it up, he’d be out on his ass.”
As if I needed any more reason to dislike Mayor Bell.