"Wanda, considering you waited on me hand and foot for seven years, I'll make you a deal. If you agree right now to let Lesley and her family move into your place, and then get on your knees and apologize to her, I'll let you take the water. Otherwise, I'm hauling every last bottle out of here myself."
Lesley planted her hands on her hips and sneered at me.
"Go on, sweetie. Kneel. Or we're taking all of it."
"You're not taking anything."
The words came from behind me before Lesley's smirk could settle. A low, familiar voice.
Clay was standing at my back. I had no idea when he'd arrived.
He pointed at Owen and Lesley, his tone ice-cold.
"Get out."
Irritation flashed across Owen's face. He jabbed a finger at Clay.
"Who the hell are you?! This is between me and my girlfriend. What's it got to do with you?!"
Clay grabbed Owen's outstretched finger and bent it backward. Hard.
Over the shrill, ugly sound of Owen's screaming, Clay spoke, his voice steady and low.
"I own this supermarket. So I'm going to need you to get out. Right now."
My mind went blank.
This supermarket was Clay's.
What had I been panicking for?