Page 2 of Burning Daylight

They both radiate power, though.

Marcus is wearing dark jeans and a navy-blue sports jacket that’s open to a white T-shirt underneath, and his blond hair is the antithesis of my dad’s. Light and mussed on top like he’s been running his hands through it. I can’t see his eyes, but I know from his pictures in our local tabloidThe Rosebrook Ragthat they’re so icy, they’ll chill you to the bone.

Marcus leans against the bookshelf on the left side of the room, his ankles crossed like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“No,” he says, glancing at his nails.

“Don’t force my hand,” my dad replies, his voice tight.

It’s the same tone he uses when my brother Lance gets in trouble…which is almost always.

Marcus straightens. “Nah, fuck you, Craig. I won’t break the WayMont agreement just so you can bully people out of their homes in the HillPoint and build withhim.”

My heart thumps faster. The HillPoint is on the west side of Rosebrook Falls, and it’s Montgomery territory through and through. I’m forbidden to even go there.

Dad shrugs. “People aren’t forced to do anything because of me. I simply make suggestions.”

“Yeah, well, when your suggestions aren’t followed, people end up hurt. Funny how that happens.”

“The innocent act is cute, Marcus, but it’s just us here. Nobody’s watching; there’s no need for dramatics.”

“Then don’t be a cunt.”

My father chuckles. “You know what they say—you are what you eat. Howisyour wife, by the way?”

A sick feeling swirls through my belly.Is he cheating on my mom?

Marcus stiffens. “Is that what this is about? You’re doing Eleanor’s bidding?”

My dad shrugs. “And what if I am?”

“You’re welcome to her pussy, Craig, but you’re testing me, trying to take everything else that’s mine.”

“And you’re putting way too much faith in a century-old contract signed by two dead men,” my father replies cooly. “Especially after my wife’s brother just died. I’d hate for tragedy to strikeyourside of the line.”

Marcus stalks over until he’s about two inches from my dad’s face. “Stay away from my family, Craig, or I swear to God, you’ll regret it. Thatisa threat.”

My chest tightens with worry, but my dad only grins and says, “I would never hurt Eleanor.”

“That’s not who I mean, and you know it.” Marcus’s voice drops to a dangerous whisper.

“Sign the papers and you’ll have nothing to worry about.”

Marcus smirks. “Are you really that threatened by me that you’ll go to these lengths? He’s a kid, he’s not even in my life. He won’t cause any problems.”

“He has your last name, so forgive me for not finding your claims reassuring,” my father replies.

“You’re delusional, and I’m not signing shit.”

My father smiles so wide it sends a chill down my spine. “Tell your guests I said hi, then.”

Marcus scoffs and spins toward the door.

My heart shoots to my throat as I stumble away, hightailing it down the hall, past the dining room, into the foyer, and up the stairs to my room. Slamming the door behind me, I flatten my back against the wood, sucking in giant helpings of air.

Once I can breathe again, I grab my notebook, flipping past the story where my mom turns into an ogre, and scribble down everything I just saw.

It didn’t make any sense, but still, I don’t ever want to forget.