“Can’t say,” Storm says. “I didn’t see a thing. Jett?”
“Sorry. I must have missed something.” Jett shrugs. “Wish I could help.”
“It doesn’t matter. Violet, you’re my witness.”
“I…” She glances from one Heart brother to another. Drops her gaze to her feet. “Didn’t see a thing. Sorry, Kyle.”
“You’ll pay for that,” he warns her in a nasally tone, before turning to me. A couple of blood drops have spattered the front of his uniform. “And so will you. Should have stayed in the city.”
“But then I would have missed out on so much.” Summer grins at him.
“I don’t care that you’re the sheriff. Get out before I toss you out.” Owen’s cold voice rings through the room.
“I’ll be seeing y’all real soon,” Kyle says as he struts out.
Owen slams the door hard enough to rattle the tiny panes in the frame.
“Can’t wait,” Summer calls out, waving at him. She lowers her voice, “Because I’m not leaving until I work out how to punish all four of you bastards for what you did.”
When he’s gone her shoulders crumple and she lifts her bruised knuckles to her mouth. “That hurt.”
“I’m so proud of you.” I take her hand. The glittering emerald catches my attention and takes my breath away. I assumed that she was wearing one of her usual rings, not that she’d found the one I kept hidden from her.
Owen stalks toward Summer and me. “What is that on your hand, little?”
“Nothing.” She tugs her hand away.
I grab it and spin her to face me. How long has she known I was going to propose?
Her eyes are wide and nervous. She rolls her bottom lip with her teeth as she takes in what I’m seeing on her finger. “I should explain.”
“Have you been lying to me, Hollywood?” Owen glances to Jett and Storm. “Have you been lying to us?”
“No.” I run my finger over the stone. “I—”
“The least you could have done is ask for our blessing.” Owen bites the words out.
“Now, look here...” I thought we’d bonded earlier, but they’re still the same boneheaded neanderthals. “That’s not—”
“We’re not engaged, Owen. Jesus, how many times do we have to tell you it’s not happening?” Summer yanks at the ring, but it doesn’t budge. “Argh. It’s stuck.”
“You should run it under cold water,” Kelsey says, coming from around the counter.
“I have liquid soap in the backroom,” Violet suggests.
“No.” I say. It doesn’t need to come off.
“That should work.” Summer looks hopeful.
“If not, we have an angle grinder at home,” Storm says.
That won’t be happening.
“That isn’t necessary,” Summer echoes my thoughts. “It’s going to come off.”
That’s not what my thoughts are at all.
“I have no issue with the ring on her finger,” Owen says. “It’s the fact that they’ve had ample time to tell us. Why keep it from us, Hollywood?”
