Caelyn wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. “That was good, right? I mean, it would’ve been better if he had kicked those greedy buggers to the curb, but at least you don’t have to find a new place to live.”

“It’s good.” I looked up at Crosby, who had turned to face us. “Right?”

He nodded, his lawyer expression still in place. “It’s a good start.”

My muscles eased a fraction. “Let’s get out of here. I need to try and make it into the office this afternoon.”

Bell reached out and grabbed my shoulder. “Haven’t you earned an afternoon off?”

I wished. But Chris was already pissed that I’d taken this morning off with less than a week’s notice. “I can’t. Too much to do.” I pushed to my feet, turning to step into the aisle, and stopped dead as I came face-to-face with Grant.

“You’re making a mistake, Kenna. I think I could convince my parents to still give you a settlement if you sign over The Gables. You were never stupid. You have to know that if you fight this, you’ll end up with nothing.”

Bell scoffed, and my spine straightened. “I would never go against Harriet’s wishes for her home.”

Grant’s eyes narrowed. “You mean my grandmother? The one you manipulated? I tried to keep this from getting ugly, but you never listen. You’re giving us no choice.”

“Watch what you say, Grant. You’re dangerously close to making a threat in front of multiple witnesses.” Crosby’s voice held a tone that I’d never heard from him before. Low, menacing, one that had chill bumps rising on my skin.

Grant glared at Crosby. “It’s not a threat. It’s the truth. She’ll be ruined when my family’s done with her.”

And just like that, I remembered precisely whom I was fighting with. I wasn’t sure there was anything I could do that would allow me to win against these people.

24

Kenna

My arms cut through the water, my legs helping to propel me forward. The shocking cold was just what I needed this morning, along with the burn flaring in my muscles. I pushed myself harder, calling up every last bit of strength I had.

The harder I pushed, the quieter my mind got. And I desperately needed that silence. The voices running around in my brain had been way too loud these past few days. Full of Grant’s ominous warning and memories of the past. I needed a break from it all.