“And…” Miss Lissy demanded. I was reconsidering my stance against slapping old people in public.
“It can result in a fine of up to five thousand pounds,” Rodger sighed. “Or a prison sentence of up to two years.”
My mouth fell open, and I exhaled sharply like I’d been punched in the boob.
I couldn’t afford that. Breeze definitely couldn’t. But of course, this wasn’t about her. This was payback. For Ema. For Bean There.
“This isn’t a fine,” Dax said, reading over my shoulder. “It’s notice of a court date.”
God bless this man and his legal brain.
Miss Lissy’s smile twitched before she masked it again.
“Court can be expensive,” she said smoothly. “I thought I’d give Miss Walls a courtesy heads-up. Rodger intended to deliver it anyway.”
Rodger stared at his shoes like they’d personally betrayed him. I wondered what Miss Lissy had over him.
Blackmail? Hidden affair? Photos?
I eyed Miss Lissy, knowing the punch line was coming.
“I just thought you might want to consider that before destroying an asset,” she said, sweeping her hand towards the house. There it was.
“I could buy this place, for example. I’ve taken the liberty of getting pre-approval for finance and had Trevor type up an agreement if you’d like to look at it.”
Fucking Trevor.
I felt Dax shuffle closer to me, and I don’t think I’d heard June breathe since Miss Lissy started talking. I felt gratitude for the first time for being the sole focus of her attention, so much so that she hadn’t recognised my sister.
A roll of pressure moved through my body like something large making its way through a tunnel, and as it reached my chest, I let out a loud cackle. I snorted, slapped a hand over my mouth for the second time tonight, and clasped the other hand on top to stop myself—but the rolling continued, spilling laughter from my jaw like a broken dam.
I clutched my ribs as another snort escaped through my nose, tears streaming down my cheeks. Lucky for me, I’d retired any desire to be ladylike sometime in my twenties. I remembered being kicked out of English class for a performance like this during Macbeth. Every line sounded filthy, and my hysterical giggling had confused everyone then as much as it was now.
I cracked one eye open. Dax was pressing his lips together to hold back a smile, still somehow maintaining professional composure—even in sweatpants. June, on the other hand, looked like she wished the ground would swallow her whole. Poor Rodger had finally looked up, clearly questioning what on earth Miss Lissy had dragged him into. Denis remained resolutely deadpan.
“Sorry,” I hissed, turning back to face the group. If I’d just ruined my eyeliner wing, I was going to be seriously pissed. “Not sure where that came from.”
Denis cleared his throat and looked at me, but said nothing.
“Dax?”
“Miss Walls?” he answered.
Ooh, I’d remember I liked that. My spine tingled.
“Would you mind escorting Miss Lissy off the premises?”
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish, and my lips curved.
“Love to,” Dax said, stepping towards her.
“Riley, I’d seriously urge you to reconsider—” she blurted. Rodger looked up at Dax towering over them and held up an arm to be led away.
“Lissy,”I hissed, dropping the ‘Miss’ for the first time. “Stay the fuck out of my life.”
Her eyes darkened as the words hit—but Dax’s broad shoulders quickly blocked her from view.
“Thanks for dropping the letter!” I called after them. I’d worry about the fine later. I had a feeling I had a lawyer—and maybe even a mayor—on my side, judging by the glances Mayor Akari kept sneaking my way.
