Hank smiled like we were old friends.
We weren’t.
“Same thing I wanted last time. And the time before that.” He slid his hands into his pockets. “I’m making another offer.”
My hands curled into fists.
The auto shop. He wanted it.
Just like he wanted half the damn town.
“No.” Mason’s voice was flat.
Hank tsked. “You haven’t even heard my price.”
“Don’t need to.”
His smile stayed, but there was something sharp in his eyes. “You boys are holding onto a sinking ship. I’m offering a lifeboat.”
Mason stepped forward, tension rolling off him in waves. “We’re not selling.”
Hank sighed, shaking his head like we were disappointing children. “You're making a mistake.”
I stepped beside Mason. “Pretty sure it’sourmistake to make.”
Hank studied us for a beat. Then he chuckled. “Stubborn, just like your grandfather.”
Mason’s jaw twitched. I took a slow breath, keeping my temper in check.
Hank adjusted his cufflinks. “Well. The offer stands. But don’t wait too long. This town’s changing, whether you like it or not. When you're ready to hear my price, let me know.”
He turned and strolled out, whistling like he hadn't just threatened everything we’d built.
The second the door shut, Mason exhaled sharply.
“Asshole.”
My mind went back to the mistakes we seemed to be making lately, but nothing came up in our investigation. Could it have been a coincidence that we got complaints from our clients at the same time Hank started pestering us about selling?
He seemed like the kind of guy who would do anything to get his way, but I doubted he’d bothered to tank our business like that.
"Yep.” I ran a hand through my hair. “What do you think his plan is for Medford?”
Mason snorted. “To turn it into a generic place—nothing special.”
I rolled my eyes. “Where the hell is Ethan?”
Mason rubbed his jaw. “Gym, I think. Let’s go.”
We didn’t have to. A second later, Ethan walked in, shaking out his damp hair. His shirt was soaked with sweat, knuckles red.
Probably went too hard on the bag.
He paused when he saw us. “What?”
Mason didn’t waste time. “Hank was just here.”
Ethan’s expression darkened. “That son of a bitch.”