I was probably losing blood to my extremities. But I didn’t care. I needed that touch of ferocity right now. It was as if his arms might be able to hold me together. Keep me from breaking when the world was falling down around me.
I burrowed my face in his chest, inhaling deeply. The faint scent of ocean air clung to his tee. But underneath, it was all Crosby. As I let his essence fill me, soothe the day’s pain, the last bits of the walls I’d been clinging to tumbled to the ground.
37
Crosby
Kenna’s body gave a small shudder, and I pulled her tighter against me, resting my chin on her head. Her body melted into mine in that perfect way. I wanted my embrace to be enough to protect her from all the bullshit that had been thrown at her lately. She’d endured more than any person should have to in these past few months. How she was standing and not rocking in a corner somewhere was beyond me. But one thing was for certain: my girl was strong. Tough as nails. She’d get through this, too.
“Not to interrupt this tender moment,” Bell began as Ford wrapped an arm around her. “But what the hell happened?”
I pressed my lips to Kenna’s hair and scowled at Bell. “Give her a minute, would you?”
Kenna wiggled in my arms, trying to get free of my hold. I reluctantly released her, feeling the loss instantly. Kenna motioned towards the living area. “Come on. We might as well sit down.”
I pulled Kenna down next to me on the couch, needing whatever small touch I could get in the moment. The rest of the group settled on chairs, and Caelyn opted for the floor. I gave Kenna’s hand a squeeze, and she returned the gesture. “My boss is an asshole.”
Caelyn choked on a giggle, and Bell rolled her eyes. “Not a newsflash. He’s had it out for you since day one.”
I hadn’t gotten a good vibe off the guy, but the girls’ statements just solidified my feelings. I might be paying Chris Woodward a visit. Or making his business life on Anchor very uncomfortable.
Kenna toyed with the string on her sweatpants. I’d never seen her in clothes like these. Even her normal loungewear was somehow put-together. These sweats looked as if they were three washes away from disintegrating altogether. “He’s been looking for a way to get me out for years. But he’s never had any leverage. The Abbots gave him what he needed.”
My fingers dug into the arm of the couch. “What do you mean?”
Ford leaned forward in his chair. “The Abbots don’t do business around here. I don’t think they’re clients of Cornerstone either.”
Kenna kept knotting and unknotting her sweatpants’ string. “But they do have relationships with some of my clients. The Cove, the marina, and Island Sports all asked to be reassigned.”
“What the hell?” Bell pushed to her feet and began pacing. “What is wrong with people? You’re the best accountant on this whole island. You’re a true local. And a good person. And these jerks are willing to throw all of that away because the Abbots aren’t getting what they want?”
Kenna gave a small shrug. “You know their influence.”
“And who knows what Grant promised them.” I wanted to break something. Preferably something heavy…over Grant’s head. I’d seen ugly tactics during legal battles in Boston, but nothing like that had ever happened during one of my cases on Anchor. Leave it to the Abbot family to bring this island low.
Bell paused in her pacing and turned back to the group. “Did that boss of yours even bother to ask the rest of your clients what they thought of your service before jumping all over you?” Kenna started to answer, but Bell kept right on going. “Of course, he didn’t. Because he’s a pompous, jealous dingleberry!”
The room went silent. Then one by one, laughter overtook us all. Kenna pushed into my side, and I wrapped an arm around her, simply enjoying the feel of her body shaking with amusement instead of grief.
Ford wiped a tear from his eye. “Tell us how you really feel, Trouble.”
Her cheeks heated. “I don’t like that man.”
“I can tell.” Ford arched a brow. “Dingleberry?”
“I was flustered. It just popped out.”
Caelyn coughed. “It’s a good word.”
Kenna nodded. “In fact, from now on, Chris will only be referred to as Dingleberry.”
Bell pressed a finger to her lips in an exaggerated thinking pose. “It does have a certain ring to it.”