Free The Renegade Returns (Mill Town Millionaires) by Dani Wade Page B

interesting when Jacob waved them on while he and Aiden talked over a problem with an employee.
    The small accounting office was quiet. A lot of the employees had left early to prepare for bad weather. Being overly cautious, schools had let out early. Plus this tour had taken a bit longer than Luke had planned. He hoped to rush them through this last department so he could get over to Avery’s before the thunderstorms started.
    Mark made himself look busy fiddling with papers on one of the desks. Luke ignored the other man’s aimless movements, his mind wandering to thoughts of what he would say to Avery.
    Finally tired of the manager and all the noise he was making, Luke turned to face him. “What’re you doing?”
    “What do you mean?”
    Mark’s stiff shoulders and tight mouth gave Luke confirmation that Mark was gathering his courage for…something. Luke didn’t have the patience to wait. “Why don’t you just spit it out?”
    His gaze slid away from Luke’s, but Mark’s chin jutted out in challenge. “I simply want to understand. I mean, why would you bother with Avery when before long you’ll be heading back to fame and fortune? After all, it’s not like she’s your usual arm candy, is she?”
    Luke didn’t answer. He needed to get his temper under control first. Mark’s words had a derogatory tone. Luke wasn’t sure if it was directed toward Avery or himself. Neither would be appropriate.
    His silence didn’t impact Mark, who seemed to gain courage the more he talked. “It’s okay. Somebody will be here to pick up the pieces after you walk away.”
    Again, Luke let the jab go, but he couldn’t keep quiet. The more information he had, the more he could warn Avery. Well, that probably wouldn’t go over well, but he’d figure out something. “You mean you?” He cocked his head to the side as if he were truly interested.
    Mark just shrugged, grinning.
    That lit Luke’s fire. He was known to say stupid stuff before checking himself, and anger weakened his already tenuous control. He didn’t often lash out, but when he did—ugly stuff. “If I understand gossip correctly, you and Avery have been dating for almost a year. Or rather, had been dating. If you had closed the deal before I got here, picking up the pieces wouldn’t be an issue—but then again, I guess coming in second might be an experience you need.”
    Luke knew his arrogant grin topped Mark’s smirk any day. Not that Avery had ever mentioned being upset over not seeing Mark romantically, if their dates had even been that. Besides, Luke would probably be the last person she’d talk with about Mark, but Mark didn’t need to know.
    “Tell Jacob I had to leave,” Mark snapped.
    Luke didn’t manage to wait for Mark’s office door to slam before he murmured, “If I feel like it, a-hole…which I won’t.”
    Luke stared at the tight seal of the door for long moments, his frustration urging him to burst through and remind that jerk whose family was in charge here. But he didn’t let himself move. Getting all up in Mark’s grill would make him look jealous.
    Just like Mark’s overt comments had done for him.
    Luke had nothing to prove. But that didn’t stop him from wanting to.
    * * *
    “Mr. Hutchens, I want you to pay close attention to how you’re feeling. Call me immediately if those muscles seize up again, instead of waiting until you can barely make it here. Got it?”
    Avery gave the old man a stern stare, wishing she could just follow him home and watch him 24/7 to make sure he was okay. Or as okay as he could be with terminal pancreatic cancer.
    “Are you bossing me around, missy?” His stare was a challenge all its own.
    But Avery wasn’t backing down. “You betcha.”
    “Well…all right.” The fact that he retreated so quickly concerned her. Mr. Hutchens had been her patient for a while, and he liked to play the crotchety old dude when she gave him orders. But always playfully. He’d rather hurt himself