Meadow frowned and followed his gaze.
At first, she didn’t understand what she was seeing.
A blur…movement beyond the tree line.
Something metallic reflecting sunlight.
Then her pulse flipped.
Cameras…a line of them.
Then another flash.
People spilling onto Ray’s land like ants…reporters climbing over the fence, moving fast across the grass, microphones raised, tripods in hand.
“What the hell -?” Meadow whispered.
Zaire’s jaw flexed like a heartbeat. “Nah…nah, cuh…how’d they even-”
More cameras pushed through the trees, a whole wave of them now, swarming the open green like they owned it.
They didn’t walk toward them, they rushed, shouting before they were even close enough to be understood.
Zaire stepped in front of Meadow so fast he almost knocked the club out of her hand. “Stay behind me.”
“Zaire -”
“Stay behind me.” His voice wasn’t angry, it was lethal.
They backed up until Meadow’s spine hit the golf cart. Zaire’s arm stayed stretched across her, shielding her as the reporters closed in.
“Zaire, comment on the unpaid property taxes!”
“Is it true she owes sixty thousand dollars?”
“Is Meadow Rain your girlfriend or your dependent?”
“Is she using you?”
“Are you paying her bills?”
Meadow froze. Her soul slid down her legs and hit the ground. This couldn’t be happening, especially not now…not when she’d fallen for him, and he’d claimed to have fallen for her. Now, was the worst time for all her dirty secrets to hit the fan.
Zaire took one step forward, his eyes flashing dark.
The reporters surged two steps closer.
He grabbed the nearest camera and shoved it back. “Aye, back the fuck up.”
More cameras swung toward him.
Zaire’s nostrils flared. “This private property.”
“Is Meadow bankrupt?”
“Are you rescuing her financially?”
“Did she hide it from you?”
