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Jake got up from his desk and slowly closed his office door, avoiding any of their gaze.

Ethan shot a confused glance at Joyce, but she just shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, confused just as much as he was.

Working in law had taught Ethan a lot about the complex inner workings of things like business, but it had also taught him there were a lot of things that happened in the darkness—things he preferred to stay out of—especially working for the Willows. This was just another example of why he kept his head down and his nose out of it.

Let’s get this shit done and off my plate.

Ethan cracked his knuckles as he turned back to the Graymore property file, staring at the photo of the quaint little fish shop with its hand-painted sign and weathered wood.

Someone had loved this place once, he thought.

But if he’d learned anything about working here, it was not to question things and do your job quietly.

It had kept him safe this long. Why change now?

The rest of the afternoon dragged on as Ethan mindlessly sifted through paperwork and logged billable hours for lawyers who made ten times his salary. He tried not to look at the amounts too closely. The disparity always turned his stomach.

The silver lining was that it was finally Friday, and the majority of the office had either already gone home to their families or were heading downtown to the bars. For the most part, people left early.

Not Ethan.

No, he’d stay until the very last second. What if someone needed something? Or if Preston came by again? Plus, Jake was still here, and he wanted to make sure he physically saw him take the file from him. There was no guarantee Jake would be cognizant the next time he saw him, and he was not about to be blamed for Jake’s bullshit.

Better safe than sorry, he thought.

Jake’s office door flung open as he stumbled out and shrugged on his rain jacket, eyes still glassy. His gaze landed on the Graymore file that sat on the corner of Ethan’s desk.

“This ready for me, Ward?” His eyes narrowed.

Ethan nodded, then grabbed the file and handed it to Jake. “Yes, sir. Just finished it.”

Jake snatched it from his hands, his eyes methodically scanning through the pages.

“Good. Let’s hope so,” he muttered, barely glancing up.

Ethan was glad to be done with it, but he knew he’d keep mulling over the details in his head all weekend. Preston never got involved to this level for a property, so he just hoped he didn’t fuck anything up.

Jake tucked the file under his arm and turned to Michael and Paul, who were already packing their stuff. “Drinks at Edgewater, then end the night at The Undertow, boys?” It hadn’t been a question.

Michael and Paul nodded begrudgingly, and Ethan had to stifle a smirk.

“Y-yeah, but can’t stay too long tonight,” Michael said. “Wife’s alone with the kids…no babysitter this time.” He smiled, but Ethan could tell he was worried about what Jake would think.

“Same, actually…” Paul echoed, slowly nodding.

Jake paused and then laughed as if what they were saying was the most ridiculous thing. “Fuck that, see you guys there,” Jake smirked and slapped Paul and Michael on the shoulder as he walked past. As he left, he threw his hand up behind him. “Later, Joyce.”

For Ethan, he offered nothing but silence.

Michael and Paul gave an annoyed look before trailing off behind Jake.

Ethan looked over at Joyce, his brows raised.

“The Undertow…again.” Joyce huffed a laugh and shook her head. “Every Friday with those boys.”

“And another Friday of not being invited,” Ethan added with a laugh.

“Honey, that's a blessing, not a curse.” She smiled and winked at him. “What about you? Ya’ got any fun plans tonight?” Her cigarette-stained smile stood stark against the bright red lipstick smudged across her front tooth.