Will is really off his game. There are so many holes I could punch in his story, it’s ridiculous. Ben is wearing the same clothes he had on last night. His truck is nowhere to be seen. And there’s no way in hell that he’d do Will a favor out of the goodness of his heart. Unless…

I don’t have a chance to question him further because a car is rumbling up the road toward the house.

“Holy shit.” Will whistles under his breath.

“Is it really who I think it is?” I ask, grinding my teeth.

“Yep, in the flesh,” Will responds, hustling to my side to get a better view. “It’s about to get ugly up in here. Ben, you might want to get away while you still can. You definitely don’t want to be on this bitch’s radar.”

“That’s for damn sure,” I groan as the car comes to a stop.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you down at the garden center.” Ben waves halfheartedly, disappearing into the woods instead of walking past the car and onto the road. Smart boy.

“Later,” Will calls out, leaning in front of me to watch him depart.

“Really, Will? A high school kid?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“He’s no kid,” he responds, unperturbed.

I roll my eyes just as Lauren glides out of her Mercedes wrapped in a white wool coat. She removes her Gucci sunglasses, settling them atop her perfectly coiffed head. She looks expensive. From her leather boots to her cashmere gloves, her whole appearance screams luxury, wealth, and power. I don’t blame Will for gulping beside me.

“Well, if it’s not the two guys I just so happen to be looking for.” She rakes her eyes over us, lingering a tad too long on the area below my belt. “Long time no see, boys.” She shuts the car door with a wallop, leaving its toasty interior behind to brave the chilly greeting she’s sure to expect.

“What are you doing here, Lauren?” I ask curtly.

“To do business, of course, silly.” She swats my chest while removing her gloves. “We have a lot of things we need to discuss.”

“Not here you don’t.” I spread my legs farther apart, blocking her access to the door. “You’re not welcome in my home.”

“Now, Eric, don’t be like that. We’re all going to have to work together and things would go a whole lot smoother if we all just got along. With poor Ivy confined to her bed, you had to have been expecting a visit from me sooner or later. How else are we supposed to get this thing done?” She bats her eyelashes at me, only provoking me further.

“Will already informed you that you’re not to have access to Ivy during all this. He’ll act as the go-between. Any message you have for Ivy, tell him. You will not be meeting with her in person. Is that clear?” I cross my arms in front of my chest, daring her to contradict me.

“Yes, he did tell me about your list of demands, but it doesn’t mean I have to agree to them,” she chuckles, drawing some paperwork out of her purse. “You’re in no position to tell me what to do. I have in my hands a copy of your latest bank statement. I believe you’re several weeks behind on a loan payment? You wouldn’t want me to call the manager and have him start taking the necessary steps to foreclose, would you?”

“You’re bluffing,” I retort, placing my hands on my hips.

“Try me,” she spits back.

I’m just about to tear into her when I hear shuffling behind me.

“What’s going on?” It’s Ivy. She’s out of bed and standing outside in nothing but my shirt. I instantly see red.

“Well, speak of the devil,” Lauren drawls, smirking as Ivy shivers. “Ivy, tell this Neanderthal boyfriend of yours to step aside. We have work to do.”

“I don’t think so,” I growl, stepping in front of Ivy, blocking her from view. “You’re not coming in. Don’t even think about it.”

“Eric, it’s okay,” Ivy says, catching me off guard. “She’s right. We have a lot to catch up on.”

“You can’t be serious,” I spin around, searching her eyes for some kind of explanation. “You’re in no condition to—”

“She’s a big girl. Why don’t you let her decide for herself?” Lauren advances again, causing me to lean into Ivy. “Or maybe you want to hear a little bit more about what we intend to work on. I’m sure it’ll blow your mind.”

“Lauren, don’t,” Ivy warns, and there’s no mistaking the fear in her voice.

Lauren has something on her. It’s the only reason why Ivy would so readily give in to her demands. Ivy is in no state to go head-to-head with her. It’s not a fair fight. That’s why she’s caving. It probably involves me somehow and she’s trying to protect me so that I won’t get hurt. That’s the only explanation for why she’s backing down when Lauren’s coming on so strong. She must be feeding her a line about me. But I’m not afraid to set her straight. It’s about time someone put Lauren in her place once and for all.

“Will, take Ivy inside. I’ll settle this,” I seethe, not even looking at Ivy as she protests behind me.

Will closes his eyes and curses under his breath but obeys my command. He slips his arm through Ivy’s, trying to get her to retreat inside, but she grabs a handful of my shirt, attempting to push me out of the way so she can get to Lauren.

“Eric, stop! You don’t know what you’re doing,” she cries, desperately trying to hang on to me. Will lifts her off feet but she continues to struggle against him. “I’m begging you, please don’t do this. Please!”

“Get her upstairs!” I roar as her nails dig into my skin.

She’s nearly hysterical, and I don’t like it. She’s gotten herself too upset over this. It’s the last thing I wanted for her right now. She fights Will with all her might, and he ends up tossing her over his shoulder as she continues to scratch and claw at him.

“She’s going to tell you that Cassidy was cheating on you!” Ivy shouts before Will has a chance to close the door. She’s panting in his arms. Tears are streaming down her face. But for a minute, my mind goes blank. I know she’s in distress, but all I can focus on are Lauren’s red-painted lips as they curl into a hideous smile. This can’t be happening. Not again.

“You beat me to the punch once again, Ivy. Bravo!” Lauren smirks as Ivy pounds Will with her fists to let her down.

“Get out,” I say, my voice deadly.

“I guess my work here is done,” Lauren says, calmly lowering her sunglasses onto her nose. “Ivy, I’ll be in touch to schedule our next writing session. We’re going to have to flesh out all of the juicy details of Cassidy’s affair. Can’t wait. Oh and Eric, if you think I’m lying, which I’m not, you might want to talk to Ben’s brother. I’m sure he could provide you with a ton of information about their secret trysts. Like I said, fascinating stuff. It’s going to make such a great movie, don’t you think?”

“I’m going to count to ten and you better get the hell off my property!” I completely lose it, advancing on Lauren until she stumbles backward, gripping the railing before making her way down the porch steps. I chase her to the door of her car, standing there until she gets in and starts the ignition. It’s taking all of my willpower not to physically pull her out the vehicle, but somehow I restrain myself. But she still has to have the last word.

Sliding down the driver’s side window, she calls out, “Oh and Will? You might want to change your shirt. You have blood all over it.” She peals away, but not before I manage to pound on the hood.

Rage is coursing through my veins as I raise my eyes to the porch in fear. Ivy has gone completely still as Will lowers her carefully to the ground. Lauren was right. His shirt is covered in Ivy’s blood as it continues to trickle down her legs. For a split second, I think I’m going to collapse, but somehow I find my feet and clumsily charge up the steps, my heart pounding.

“Will, call an ambulance!” I shout over Ivy’s muffled cries as she begins to shake. “Ivy, it’s okay. I’ve got you, baby. Just relax. We’ll get you to the hospital and everything’s going to be all right. Take some deep breaths for me. That’s it.”