Page 18 of Stone Temptation

“Don’t pout, Luke. I want to speak with you, too. Ian first. Go get him.”

Me too?

I obeyed, finding my manager out the back going over some figures, paling from hearing Seth’s name. Poor guy. He was so tightly wound, forever panicked over something. A good manager, but seriously in need of a long holiday.

“He’s here? For me?”

“Take a deep breath.”

“Don’t think I can,” he rasped.

“You can. You’re okay. He’s at the bar.”

“God, strike me down now,” he muttered.

I returned to the bar, attempting to help Tom.

“Wait there,” Seth told me.

I waited, hands folded before me like a good boy.

Ian appeared, all meek and boot-licky. “Seth, I?—”

“You’re behind on your rent, Ian. What’s happening?”

“I’m so, so sorry. You’ll have it in a few more days, like we discussed.”

“Is that so?” He tapped his finger on his glass. “Are you accusing me of being forgetful?”

“N-No. I’m?—”

“I’m not happy.”

“You’re not?”

“Failing at your responsibility is disappointing. You live because of me. You get to work here because of me. I expect more from you, from every single person in this town.”

Seth dabbled in the property market, owning and renting out various buildings around town. Including my lighthouse.

“I’m really, really?—”

Seth gulped down the rest of his drink in one. “Make me another, Luke.”

I made him another. After two sips, he looked Ian dead in the eyes with his hard, hazel gaze and said in a calm, slightly unnerving tone, “You know what happens if you test my patience.”

Poor Ian looked ready to throw himself on his knees and beg for mercy. “You’ll kick me out.”

“Precisely. So, why are you testing my patience?”

“I’m really, really sorry.”

Seth slammed the glass down, cracking the bottom. “I’m not here for your excuses. I expect you to pay your rent. What is it you’re not getting?”

“Please, I?—”

“Shut up.”

Seth glanced at his knights, then back to me. “Make me another drink.”